I know we all like to save a little money in tough times and a great thing to remember at this time of year is to make sure you go shopping the couple days after Christmas. I know that you generally feel like staying home, or at least I do, but that is the time to get out and catch all the markdowns on gift sets, winter clothing goes on clearance often, Bath and Body Work generally has a good sale and many other stores are ready to clear out stuff and you can, with careful shopping get a stock of gifts that you can give throughout the year as birthday, baby shower, wedding shower or other gifts without spending alot of money and still give a nice gift. I have gotten all kind of neat things for 75% off at times. Someone even said if you mail out Christmas cards, to see and often you can get them for cents after Christmas and save them for next year. Wrapping paper, check and see if some that is not too Christmasy and you can use for other occasions. I got some that was brown paper like with butterflies on it, one year!
There are other things to think of too, not just with gift giving, but checking store this next month or two for coats for the next year, make sure to get them big enough, boots, gloves etc. if you live where it is cold. Our local JC Penny marks this stuff down in January and Feb. and you can get expensive jackets for a fraction of the cost.
Ellie Kaye has some great books on saving money too, Shop, Save and Share is a great one on getting good deals on things and sharing with others. Her new book is Living Rich for Less and actually there is a giveaway with hardly any entries if you are interested in checking it out here
http://melaniewrites.blogspot.com/2008/12/living-rich-for-less-by-ellie-kay.html
