Perfect Your Holiday Budget Toy List

The catalogs are in the mail, the commercials are on TV and your kids are already making their holiday wish lists. But how can you keep the holiday spending for the little ones under control?

MainStreet consulted family budget expert and thrift maven Jess Stewartmaize, editor of ThriftyFun.com, for budget tips that will help keep your holiday spending in check.

Budget, Budget, Budget
Set a budget. Stewartmaize recommends opening a special savings account just for kids’ gifts for the year, including birthdays and holidays. Otherwise, start keeping track of how much you spend annually on presents and then set it aside in weekly or monthly increments. That way you have the whole year to save and can avoid paying interest on credit cards.

“Budgeting is a personal thing,” says Stewartmaize. “Seventy-five dollars per child, $100 per child, you want to have the number in your head.” Holiday shopping can be addictive – just like eating that fifth or sixth Christmas cookie – and it’s easy to keep buying gifts even after you’ve taken care of everyone on your list. “Set a budget, and when you’re done, you’re done.”