Its getting near the time of year again where thousands upon thousands of consumers will be flocking to retail stores for holiday gift items or to find those once a year sales we just cant seem to resist. Here are a few tips to help you spend within your means and avoid the post holiday spending blues.

If you havent started saving for your purchases start now.

Build a list of people to buy for and stick to it.

Set predetermined spending amounts that are within your budget.

Avoid charging on credit at all costs; if something needs to be purchased on plastic make sure you can pay off the full amount within 30 days.

Avoid impulse buying, shop around; the chances are you will find the same product cheaper elsewhere.

If you are purchasing something online check the shipping charges carefully.

Start preparing for next year now. Calculate what it took for you to have a successful shopping experience this year. Use the knowledge gained from this years experience to be prepared for next year. You might even be able to start sooner.

Plan a route. Knowing where you are going and how you are going to navigate your day ahead of time can help you avoid long traffic lines, or long lines at stores. Starting earlier in the day usually helps avoid the last minute rushes.

Hi-Tech products usually dont come cheap around the holidays. Chances are the same product you paid full retail price for will be much cheaper to purchase a few months after the holidays. Perhaps waiting will pay off.

Finally, take a deep breath, relax and pace yourself. Overly rushing can lead to poor purchasing choices that can cost you in the long run. Check a stores return/exchange program before you make your purchases.

Article written by Rick Munster.