Thrifty Thursday: Santa Claus is coming to town!

Did you just check your calendar?

I thought so.

Well, he's not coming YET.  But, trust me, the holiday season is literally right around the corner.  And it's ready for you.  It's got a new, snazzy, sparkly snowman vest on and it's about to jingle bell all up in your wallet.  I thought you'd appreciate a good visual.

Are you scared yet?

I have been scoping Christmas deals earlier then ever before.  I hit up Target during their July toy clearance event.  I have made a couple of pillaging trips to Borders for their going-belly-up sale.  Let's just say, I am ready to be done with Christmas shopping over the next month.

No last minute impulse shopping.  More time with my lovely family.  "Spoiling" ourselves a bit.  Spreading the festive cheer without spreading ourselves too thin.  Isn't that more Christmas-y?

(Christmas Carnage 2010)

Here are a few tips for getting out ahead of Rudolph this year:

• Make a holiday budget and include everything.  Tree.  Lights.  Cookies.  You name it, get a number beside it.  
• Stick to the budget!
• Scout out deals now before the prices soar shortly before Christmas.
• There are countless photo gift deals from websites like Shutterfly and Snapfish.  For example, there is a GREAT deal going on at Vistaprint right now where you can get 6 free photo gifts.  Get a wall calendar, photo book, or mug with your favorite summer photos.  You pay for shipping, but still a great deal! 
• I follow my favorite deal sites on Facebook, so I can jump on a great deal the moment I spot it.  Some people don't like all that information in their feed, but it saves me from bouncing around to different sites.
• Exercise your sinking fund for these purchases so it doesn't affect your monthly budget.
• Use cash when possible.  If it's online, be wary, you always spend more when you use a card.
• Buy smart.  Starting early allows you to be thoughtful about the people you love, so you don't have to buy the last candy cane from Walgreens on December 24th.  No really, I'm sure they appreciated the thought.
• Keep it in perspective.  Does your nephew NEED 10 new pieces of plastic?  Let's be honest, it will end up at the bottom of his closet in about 15 minutes.
• Save some for the end.  Just in case you need a merchandise fix.  I always save a bit so I can buy fresh, new gift wrap.  The act of wrapping up gifts satisfies my need to keep buying.  
• Shop after Christmas sales to score sweet deals.  Just remember to wear a helmet.

Get started now, you don't want to get caught under the mistletoe with one of Santa's little helpers...Visa.  I hear he hangs out with MasterCard.  Yikes.

Here is a countdown clock if you need any more motivation.  Merry Un-Christmas!