gifts

Ask the Readers: What Was Your Most Memorable Gift?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 16:52:35 +0000

The holidays is known as the season of giving, but it's easy to get caught up in the shopping and the sales and the stuff. Whether you're giving a gift or receiving one, it's important to think on the sentiment behind the gesture. Oftentimes, the most memorable gifts are not the most expensive, but the most meaningful.

What was your most memorable gift? Why was this gift the most memorable for you? Do you still have the gift?

Tell us about your most memorable gift and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Tell us about your most memorable gift and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Revamp Your Budget for Retirement

Alicia Rose Hudnett — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 08:00:29 +0000

Retirement is a major life adjustment for most people. From figuring out how to spend your days, to determining the best way to manage your personal finances, there are many choices to make.

Once you leave the world of paychecks and the daily 9-to-5 behind you, you may also think you're done with budgeting. At this point in your life, you may believe you've got a good handle on your spending and saving habits, and there's no point to budgeting anymore. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Here's a primer on all the ways your post-work budget needs to change.

Pay yourself and the IRS

The first step of building any household budget is figuring out total income. You now have the task of recreating a paycheck for yourself based on your available income sources. In retirement, that may mean a combination of Social Security benefits, a pension, distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s, and personal savings. You'll simultaneously need to cover your monthly living expenses and continually monitor the total balance of your portfolio.

Your Social Security check will be a set amount each month, and any pensions or annuities you have may also be. Once you've established how much money you'll need on top of those benefits, you can determine how much to take out of your tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Then there are taxes to consider. You may have the option to have federal income taxes withheld from these payments, and while it's not required that you do so, it will save you the hassle of having to file quarterly estimated taxes. In any case, you'll need to factor taxes into your ongoing budget. (See also: Here's How You Should Budget Your Social Security Checks)

Stop saving for retirement

You've spent your entire pre-retirement life saving and accumulating assets so that one day you'd be able to live comfortably without having to work. Now that you're finally in the decumulation phase, you no longer have to save a portion of your monthly income for long-term goals. Monthly retirement contributions are one line item you can remove from your budget.

Increase your emergency fund

During your working and saving years, it's important that you have enough cash saved to cover a large unexpected bill or a job loss in order to prevent having to take early withdrawals from retirement accounts or take on debt.

In retirement, your need for cash savings may be even greater, but for different reasons. You may not have to worry about something like a job loss, but emergencies can still happen. As your home and vehicle age, you may find yourself needing to make major repairs or replacements. A health care crisis could devastate your finances. If you aren't prepared for major unexpected expenses, you risk wiping out a portion of the nest egg you're meant to be living on for the next few decades.

Remember, unlike your pre-retirement years, the majority of your savings may now be in tax-deferred retirement accounts. As you build your yearly income stream, you'll also be considering your income tax liability, taking into account your portfolio balance and your expected withdrawal rate. What happens to those numbers if you have a large emergency expense one year? Having to take distributions from your retirement accounts during those times may permanently affect the long-term viability of your nest egg, which is why a cash reserve can help support your overall retirement plan.

Standard financial advice recommends that working people build an emergency fund that can cover at least six months' worth of essential living expenses. In retirement, you should strive to save between 12 and 18 months' worth of those living expenses, including annual insurance premiums. (See also: Yes, You Still Need an Emergency Fund in Retirement)

Assess your changing housing costs

Housing is usually the largest household expense in everyone's budget, regardless of whether you rent or own. But after raising families and possibly paying a mortgage for 30 or more years, you may be in a position to either downsize, eliminate your mortgage payment, move to a new location, or a combination of all of these options — which can all meaningfully affect your budget.

As you prepare for retirement and rethink your income and budget needs, carefully calculate what your new housing and associated costs will be. For example, you may think about moving into a smaller apartment or condo in a trendy part of town, but a more expensive location can unexpectedly increase your other everyday living expenses.

Prepare for a possible increase in medical expenses

If you're used to having employer-sponsored health insurance, be prepared to do your homework on Medicare before you retire. Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover all health care expenses, such as routine vision or dental care. Nor does it cover some assisted living expenses, which may create a huge financial strain if you didn't purchase a long-term care policy when you were younger. And if you're traveling outside of the United States, Medicare typically won't cover any health care related costs you may incur.

Between purchasing various Medicare coverages, like Part D for prescriptions, and perhaps obtaining a supplemental plan to close the Medicare coverage gaps, you may wind up spending significantly more on making sure all of your health needs are properly insured. Crunch the numbers and make sure your new budget takes all of this into account. (See also: How to Make Sense of the Different Parts of Medicare)

Eliminate work-related expenses

Throughout your entire working career, you've probably spent lots of money on various professional and daily work-related expenses. When you exit the workforce, much of that will change as your lifestyle will be different. Things like business attire and dry cleaning, daily transportation and parking costs, or business certifications and professional dues can all be crossed off your budget.

Adjust for an increase in leisure expenditures

When your schedule is completely free and you no longer have a daily commitment to be at work, every day feels like a Saturday. You may find yourself spending money on things you used to do only on the weekends or when you had some time off. Whether it's spending more time eating out, traveling, or participating in hobbies, you may need to adjust your budget for your increased free time.

Consider your gifting choices

If you have children and grandchildren, you may have started thinking about including financial support for them in your retirement budget. In addition to more substantial gifting opportunities that involve legal documents (like a trust), there are other ways to support your family members. Each year, you are able to gift anyone up to the annual gift exclusion, which is $15,000 for 2018, without having to file a gift tax return. A married couple can gift a total of $30,000 to one individual in one year.

And if you are interested in helping to save for a family member's education, you can open and fund a 529 account, which is a tax-favored education savings plan. The same yearly gifting rules apply, but with a 529 account, you are allowed to front-load five years' worth of the 2018 $15,000 yearly amount for a total of $75,000 in one year. Once again, that is doubled for a married couple. (See also: 4 Things You Need to Know About Gift Tax)

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This article is from Alicia Rose Hudnett of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Smart Financial Gifts to Give New Grads Besides Cash

Mikey Rox — Tue, 22 May 2018 08:30:42 +0000

Do new grads want cash? Yes — all day long. But you and I both know what new grads will do with it. Instead of setting them up for failure by handing over a hot wad of Benjis that'll burn holes in their pockets, steer them toward success with these financially valuable, money-inspired gifts.

1. Skill-based classes

I knew the basics of cooking and cleaning when I graduated college (I could scrub a toilet and do my own laundry, at least), but there were plenty of skills I lacked — like home improvements, vehicle maintenance, and, yes, money management. And while I had people around to help with many of those inconveniences, I was still kind of a disaster for the first few — OK, six — years on my own.

If someone had gifted me a help-yourself class or two, however, not only would I have been better prepared to enter the "real world" more confidently, but I could have capitalized on those skills to earn side income (because that's the real thing I'm great at). That would have come in handy when I was eating pizza bagels for every meal.

2. Starter emergency fund

New grads won't have the kind of emergencies that older adults do, but even the smallest crisis can turn into a major financial burden for someone just starting out. Lend a helping hand by setting up an emergency fund in their name at your bank (not theirs) so they're unlikely to drain it for early-20s nonsense.

Put aside $500 to $1,000 to start and add money as you see fit, or let the grad know that they can transfer money into the account when they have a little extra to spare. Their own contributions will provide even more padding when the going gets tough. (See also: 7 Easy Ways to Build an Emergency Fund From $0)

3. Website domain

Most college grads — heck, even high-schoolers — are tech savvy, but they may not have thought to secure their name as an internet domain for future use. I love this idea because while it's not a tangible gift, it is a gift that can spark inspiration. If someone handed me a website domain and told me to run with it, I'd at least ponder the possibilities, and that's all some people need to go full steam ahead. (See also: 8 Surprising Ways a Personal Website Can Improve Your Life)

4. Loyalty points

If you've racked up loyalty points and want to save money on grad gifts, look into gifting these transferable rewards.

"Loyalty points are a great money gift to give new grads instead of cash," says U.S. Travel Association spokesperson Laura Holmberg. "Loyalty points allow them to cash in for unique travel experiences at the time and destination of their choice — maybe for a post-grad getaway, or to put toward that first vacation once they're in the 'real world.'"

5. Big-idea books

New grads might not want to crack open a book right away, but gifting self-help books that lie in waiting until they're ready will be worth every penny once they pick them up and implement the actionable advice.

Some of my favorites include author-entrepreneur David Pike's The New Startup and The Startup Playbook by Rajat Bhargava and Will Herman (both are perfect for grads trying to figure out what they want to do with their work life), as well as David Carlson's Hustle Away Debt (because there will be a lot of debt to hustle away). (See also: The 8 Classic Personal Finance Books You Must Read)

6. Gift cards for life's necessities

Gift cards are a safe and popular gift to give, but when buying for new grads, think practical instead of frivolous. They might not appreciate $50 to a supermarket in the moment, but there will come a time they'll recognize that gift card as perhaps the most thoughtful and useful of the bunch. Other sensible gift card ideas include cards for gas, a new interview suit, work supplies, and home essentials.

7. Student loan payment

Many college grads start life with student debt looming over their heads, and you can help alleviate that burden somewhat by providing a few initial payments as a gift.

"Sit down with them and go through the process of helping them make a payment toward their student loans or contribute installments to their budget to help them on a monthly basis for a few months after they graduate," suggests Alayna Pehrson, financial blogger for BestCompany.com. "Overall, student loans can feel like a major weight to many fresh college graduates, so this gift could really go a long way for your grad." (See also: 15 Ways to Pay Back Student Loans Faster)

8. Investment starter capital

Broke college graduates don't think much about making investments right out of school when they're peering down a dark tunnel of 10 to 20 years of student loan payments. As such, this is a great opportunity for you to take the lead where investing is concerned.

"You can do this by giving them money to invest and starting them out with a well-known investing app like Acorns," Pehrson says. "Again, going through it with them step-by-step can ensure that they actually invest that money."

Take some time to explain how investing works, too. It's scary for a lot of people, but knowing what to do, why, and when will help new grads wrap their head around why it's important to keep this option open as a lifelong financial tactic.

9. Roth IRA

Retirement is the farthest thing from a new grad's mind, but you and I both know the earlier you start saving for that glorious day, the better. And in terms of the ROI, a Roth IRA is near the top of the list of best grad gifts.

Consider this: A max contribution of $5,500 in the starter account you set up for the grad at age 21 will mature to a staggering $71,000 by age 65, assuming 6 percent interest — and that's with no further contributions. Given that 13 percent of Americans have $0 saved for retirement, according to a 2018 GOBankingRates survey, your generous gift puts them well ahead of the curve before life even begins. (See also: 6 Reasons Every Millennial Needs a Roth IRA)

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Make Money From Mother's Day

Ashley Eneriz — Tue, 01 May 2018 08:00:17 +0000

The average American spends around $172 to make Mom feel special every Mother's Day. If you have ever purchased a bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates, you've seen firsthand how costly it can be to shower Mom with gifts.

Turn the tables this year by earning money rather than spending it. Here are some unique ways you can cash in on Mother's Day. (See also: 14 Best Side Jobs For Fast Cash)

1. Host photo sessions

One year, a photographer friend of mine announced she was throwing mini Mother's Day photo sessions for $65. The session included 30 minutes of shooting with cute props in her backyard and a disc of five to seven edited shots on a CD a week later. She allowed families to sign up for one of 10 slots the weekend before Mother's Day.

As a customer, I was thrilled to get some affordable, wonderful shots without the hassle of planning a Pinterest-worthy photo shoot. As the photographer, she was able to generate $650 for about 10–15 hours of work. If you are a talented photographer, have great editing skills, and have a nice camera and editing software already on hand, try offering this service.

As a word of warning, if you are not experienced photographing families, especially ones with unpredictable kids and babies, you might not want to jump into this business until you are more practiced.

2. Sell crafted gifts

If you love to make crafts, think of the many ways you can offer your skills for sale for Mother's Day. You can sell general crafts, like scarves, potted succulents in unique designs, or jewelry. You can also offer customized creations that will help individuals give their mothers something extra special for the day. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

If you sew or quilt, offer to turn baby clothes or special family clothes into a beautiful blanket.
If you create jewelry, offer customized jewels to represent birthstones or personalities.
If you paint or draw, do personalized silhouettes or drawings of the family from photographs.
If you enjoy woodwork or painting, create customized signs or wood scroll art.

3. Deliver flower arrangements

Even having a small bouquet of flowers delivered will cost you around $35–$50. If you live near a flower market or have a flourishing garden to choose from, you can make your own floral arrangements and sell them locally.

Try creating one or two arrangements several weeks before Mother's Day to showcase your skills and what you will be selling. This will allow you to take orders and know exactly how much to buy when you purchase florals and containers. Offer handwritten notes to make the arrangement even more special. Add on a small fee for local delivery to cover your time and gas expenses. (See also: 7 Ways to Earn Extra Money With Your Car)

4. Put your baking skills to use

Nothing says love like a plate of homemade cookies or a tasty cake. However, not everyone has the time or desire to be in the kitchen whipping up something for their mama. If you know how to make beautiful cookies or cake pops, or have a secret cake recipe everyone raves over, why not try finding customers for the holiday weekend?

You could also sell your goods at local farmers markets or craft shows. Be sure to brush up on the laws in your state to ensure it is legal to sell food goods from your home.

5. Host a Mother's Day boutique

If you can't think of anything to create or sell, sell other people's goods. Host a Mother's Day boutique or craft show that allows other local vendors to set up tables and sell their goods. You can host the event in your home, backyard, or a low-cost venue such as a church. Vendors should pay a small fee to set up their booths and donate one item to your show's raffle. Next, advertise the boutique through friends, acquaintances, local businesses, and social media. Create an event on Facebook and spread the word.

The goal is to help connect your community to great local vendors and to give vendors the opportunity to sell their goods. Be sure to sell raffle tickets to help cover the costs of running the boutique, as well.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Where to Invest Your Money After You've Maxed Out Your Retirement Account

Tim Lemke — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:00:06 +0000

Are you a super saver? Have you managed to contribute the maximum amounts allowed into your 401(k) or individual retirement accounts? If so, you may now be wondering what to do with any additional money you have. Should you continue to invest? If so, how? Should you spend it on a Picasso painting or give it to your kids?

There are many options for people who have maxed out their retirement contributions. Here are some of them.

Taxable brokerage account

I'm a huge fan of the tax-advantaged nature of retirement accounts, but regular taxable brokerage accounts have their good qualities. For one thing, they are more flexible than retirement accounts. There is no limit to what you can invest in a taxable brokerage account, and while you will pay tax on any dividends and capital gains in these accounts, there is no additional penalty for withdrawing money before you retire. If you collect dividends from investments in a taxable brokerage account, they can be a great source of extra income.

Real estate

If you've put as much money into retirement accounts as you can, why not take a look at buying a property or house as a possible investment? Real estate can appreciate in value just like stocks, and you may even be able to draw income from tenants as well.

Investing in real estate is obviously different from investing in stocks or bonds. In this case, you are investing in actual property. There may be more costs upfront, and you may face the expense and work associated with managing it. But there are many people who have gotten wealthy by buying and selling properties.

It's worth noting that under the new tax law, you can't claim a tax deduction for mortgage interest from a second home. But the potential for real estate to rise in value and generate income is still a powerful thing. (See also: The Only 5 Rules You Need to Know About Investing in Real Estate)

Peer-to-peer lending

Did you know it's possible to make money directly off other people's borrowing? With peer-to-peer lending, an individual can use an online platform to purchase someone else's debt and make money off the interest payments. The money you can earn is based off the riskiness of the loan; more creditworthy borrowers will pay out less than those with worse credit.

There is always the risk of borrowers defaulting on loans, but most lenders have found good returns by purchasing a "portfolio" of loans at various risk levels. Lending Club and Prosper are two of the most popular peer-to-peer lending platforms. (See also: How to Make Money With Peer-to-Peer Lending Service Prosper)

Education savings accounts

If you have children or other relatives that will be going to college, you can help fund their education and receive some tax benefits for yourself. A 529 college savings plan is a popular option, because it allows someone to invest money and withdraw the gains tax free, provided the funds are used to pay for college. In many instances, the contributions are also deducted from your taxable income. The new tax law allows 529 plans to be used for other education expenses, such as private high school, as well. (See also: The 9 Best State 529 College Savings Plans)

The bank

It may seem silly to just put money in a simple savings account when interest rates are still quite low. But it's possible that, in an effort to max out your retirement accounts, you've been neglecting your cash savings. Having a good amount of cash on hand can give you a nice cushion in the event of an emergency and prevent you from raiding your retirement accounts. If you don't have at least three months' worth of expenses saved, it's a good idea to bolster that savings. Once you hit three months' of expenses saved, go for six. (See also: The Best Online Savings Accounts)

It's actually not uncommon for people of high net worth to have cash flow problems, because they focus so heavily on investing their money. If you are maxing out your retirement contributions, you're doing great. There's really nothing wrong with having more cash on hand than you may need, and you may find that it gives you some nice peace of mind.

Collectibles

I am personally not a huge fan of collectibles as an investment, but they can be useful as part of a broad portfolio. A savvy, knowledgeable collector can make good money on things like art, antiques, trading cards, or even classic cars. And collecting can be good fun. Just be aware that the returns on collectibles rarely top what you can get in the stock market. (See also: 10 Collectibles That Almost Always Become More Valuable)

Donations to charity

You may think that once you've maxed out your retirement contributions, there are no more tax breaks to be had. But you can get a tax deduction for donating to most charities. So you can feel good about supporting a worthy cause while helping yourself financially.

The one caveat here is that under the new tax law, it may be financially smarter for people to take the standard deduction rather than itemize. This could make donating to charity less advantageous from a tax perspective.

Gift it to family

If you are very wealthy and expect that your children or other family members will inherit your money when you die, it may be a good idea to begin transferring that wealth now to avoid taxes. Under the new tax law, the exemption for gift and estate taxes — the amount you can give away in your lifetime — is $11.2 million per individual. Married couples can transfer double that amount, or $22.4 million. It's also possible to make an annual gift of up to $15,000 per person (married couples can gift $30,000 per recipient) without paying taxes.

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This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Ways Being Single is Better for Your Bank Account

Paul Michael — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:30:08 +0000

Valentine's Day is once again fast approaching. People in relationships are saving up to treat their partner to something special. And for those seeking romance, it's a great opportunity to drop a few hints with a card and candy. But for the millions of people who are single, this time of year can really suck.

If you fall into the latter category, take heart. You may not be part of a couple, but your bank account will adore you. Here's why.

1. Valentine's Day is a money suck

Romance is big business in America, and retailers will do everything they can to get you opening your wallet. In 2017, USA Today found that Americans spent over $18 billion on the day for lovers.

Think about all the good that money could have done; schools, hospitals, care for sick people. Instead, it was spent on overpriced roses, chocolates, teddy bears, jewelry, fancy meals, and lingerie. This equates to the average consumer spending around $137 on February 14, although clearly some people are spending way more.

If you're single and like the idea of chocolates and flowers, wait until the day after. They'll be reduced by 50 to 75 percent (or more in some cases) for the exact same products. (See also: 14 Ways to Spend Less Money on Valentine's Day)

2. Your food budget goes a lot further

When you're shopping for two, you spend a lot more than when you're on your own. For a start, the chances of you both loving all the same foods is slim. Speaking from personal experience, I can meal prep the same food that I love for the whole week and eat it every night. It's cheap, it's balanced, and it suits me just fine. In a couple, that was a complete no-go. The same meal every night? No way. That means more ingredients, more recipes, and more money.

What's more, dining out as a single person is not as attractive a proposition as dining with a partner, so less is spent on restaurants and other eateries. And when you do eat out alone, you're spending at least half as much. Couples have a tendency to splurge on wine, desserts, and so on. When you're eating alone, you don't want to linger for as long, and that means less time to eat, drink, and spend. Those savings are delicious.

3. Weddings aren't cheap

If you're fretting about the couples around you that are planning to get married, this little statistic should ease the pain considerably: According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding in the USA in 2016 was a staggering $35,329.

That is up $2,688 from 2015, which means you can expect that average to be even higher this year. After the cost of food and wine, renting a venue, a DJ or band, flowers, cake, invitations, photographs, and favors, the average price per guest rose to $245.

That's right, you're spending that much for each and every guest you invite. And let's not forget the cost of the wedding dress, the ring, and the expensive honeymoon after the big day. You can easily kick-start married life with over $40,000 in debt. Consider that next time you see a couple walk down the aisle.

4. You have time to focus on your career and your finances

Relationships eat up time. There's just no getting around that fact. Of course, people in happy relationships will point out that it's exactly the reason they're seeing someone; they want to spend time in the company of someone they love, and why wouldn't they? But this has to come with a sacrifice, and usually it's the career and the ability to make money that suffers.

The relationship will take a hit if one of you is working late night after night, or canceling plans at the weekend to pitch on new business. Guilt sets in, and instead of devoting time to a higher salary and new opportunities, it becomes the norm to spend free time eating out, going to movies, and taking weekend trips to the mountains or the beach. That means instead of using your free time to earn money, you're using it to spend money. (See also: 13 Ways to Make Money From Valentine's Day)

5. No more spending money on gifts

Aside from Valentine's Day, there are plenty of other dates on the calendar that make you spend money. Birthdays, anniversaries, and major holidays will hit you in the bank account throughout the year. Depending on what your partner is into, these gifts can set you back hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars. Forget the watches, clothes, gadgets, and gift cards, and instead save the money. Or, buy yourself something you've always wanted. (See also: 12 Fun Facts About Valentine's Day Spending)

6. Vacations are cheaper alone

Most couples like to do things the traditional (and expensive) way when they go on vacation. A hotel room, rental car, taxis, shows, restaurants, and bars are usually part of the mix. But when you're single, your options open up considerably, and the cost of your vacation can drop dramatically.

For a start, as a single traveler, a site like Couchsurfing can be a huge money-saver, and it's also a great way to meet other people and make new friends. You could also use Airbnb to find a bedroom in a local house that is way cheaper than a hotel room. You don't have to compromise on anything. Eat the food you want. Go where you want. Spend as little as you want. Single travelers have much more freedom, and way more options available. When you have more options, you have more opportunities to save money.

7. Two people means double the debt

The average person with credit card debt owes $5,331 on their cards, according to CreditDonkey. When you become part of a serious relationship, and get married, you combine the debts you owe. That means you are now responsible for twice what you were before.

Admittedly, you probably have two salaries (although not every couple has two incomes), but it can become daunting to look at the combined debts you have to pay off. As a single person, your debts are your own. And you can choose to live very frugally to pay off your debts, which can be a lot more difficult to do when your partner doesn't want to eat ramen and eggs four times a week.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Fastest Ways to Recover From Holiday Overspending

Dan Rafter — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 10:00:06 +0000

Consumers said they planned to spend an average $967 during the 2017 holiday season, according to research from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

That's a lot of money, and you can bet that plenty of holiday shoppers blew their budgets in the process. But here's some good news: Even if you were overly generous this season, you can take steps to recover financially from all that holiday overspending. (See also: 8 Secrets to a Debt-Free Holiday Season)

1. Return what you don't want

If you were generous with others this holiday season, they might have been equally generous with you. This means you might have plenty of holiday gifts sitting around — maybe some gifts you don't even want or need.

If you have the receipts, by all means, return them. Hopefully, you can get cash in exchange. But even if you can't, you'll probably be able to turn your unwanted gifts into store credit. You can then shop at that store on someone else's dime without dipping into your own wallet.

Don't worry about hurting someone's feelings here. The main point is to get back on your feet financially, and every little bit helps. (Besides, you don't have to tell Aunt Julia that you aren't going to wear that sweater.)

2. Use those gift cards

The odds are high that you received gift cards this year. The National Retail Federation estimated that 2017 holiday shoppers each planned to purchase around four gift cards with an average value of $45 per card.

Too many people throw them in a drawer or tuck them in a wallet and then forget about them. If you got gift cards, use them. Again, these handy cards will let you purchase clothing, electronics, or restaurant meals without you having to spend your own cash. Then, send the dollars you're saving on those splurges toward paying down credit card or other high-interest debt. (See also: How to Turn Unwanted Gift Cards Into Cash)

3. Pay more than the minimum on your credit cards

You might not want to think about credit card debt right after the holidays, but it's important to not ignore it. Whatever you do, don't only make the minimum required payment. If you do, it can take you years, and cost loads of interest, to pay off that debt.

Say you owe $7,000 on a credit card with an interest rate of 18 percent. If you make the 4 percent minimum required payment each month, it will take you 147 months — or more than 12 years — to pay off that debt. You'll also pay a total of more than $11,000 on the card. And that assumes you don't make any additional purchases with it.

Your goal is to pay off more than the minimum every month. Otherwise, you'll be paying off those holiday mittens and scarves for years. (See also: Dealing With Post-Holiday Credit Card Debt)

4. Stop adding to your debt

Of course, you'll struggle to ever pay off your holiday debt if you don't first stop adding to it. Make a resolution to stop using your credit cards to pay for items. Instead, use your debit cards or cash for your purchases.

This will require planning, and maybe a bit of sacrifice. You might have to wait to buy that new laptop until you've saved up enough to pay for it in cash. But you'll be thankful as you watch that credit card debt steadily disappear.

5. Start an emergency fund

If you've resolved to pay down your holiday debt, you'll need savings. What if your water heater bursts or your car conks out? If you don't have any money saved up, you'll have to put those repairs on your credit cards, adding more to your debt levels.

A better move is to start creating an emergency fund. As the name suggests, an emergency fund is a stash of cash that you stow in a safe place, like a savings account. You withdraw from the fund to cover any unexpected emergencies.

You'll eventually want an emergency fund that has from six months' to a year's worth of daily living expenses in it. That may sound intimidating, but you can start slowly. By investing at least $200 a month in an emergency fund, you'll have $2,400 by the time a year passes. (See also: 7 Easy Ways to Build an Emergency Fund From $0)

6. Make some sacrifices

The more money you have to devote to your holiday debt, the better. Start the new year by cutting back on unnecessary expenses. All those trips to restaurants and the movies add up. If you cut down on your discretionary spending, you might have $200 or more extra each month to put toward reducing your holiday debt.

7. Get in selling mode

Maybe you received plenty of stuff during the holiday season — you might even have too much stuff. If so, sell some of it off, either online or through a yard sale. The extra money you make by selling a Crock-Pot or tablet that you no longer need can bring in some much-needed extra cash that you can use to pay down that mountain of debt.

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Why Some Economists Say You Should Give Cash Instead of Gifts

Toni Husbands — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 10:00:07 +0000

If Christmas shopping gives you the blues, and you labor over the thought of selecting the best gifts to no avail, you now have permission to stop. That's right. "Scroogenomics" may provide the peace of mind you seek during this festive, gift-giving season. In this retelling of Charles Dickens' classic tale, the lesson is to give generously, but not the type of stuff that typically ends up wrapped in paper and bows. Cash is king in this version, and other types of gifts are deemed a waste of time and money. (See also: 10 Fun Ways to Wrap the Gift of Cash)

The reality behind "Scroogenomics"

Economist and University of Minnesota professor Joel Waldfogel coined the term in his 2009 book, Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays. The reason behind Waldfogel's anti-gift stance isn't because he dislikes his friends and family. He simply believes giving gifts is a colossal waste of money. In fact, he calls gift giving an "orgy of wealth destruction."

Waldfogel suggests that we waste our money by buying the wrong gifts, completely underwhelming the recipient with stuff they don't even want. For the unimpressed giftees among us, the thought actually doesn't count.

According to Waldfogel's theory, we alone are the best judge of the products or services that bring us joy. Gift givers often miss the mark, thus gifts go underused and money is wasted. Waldfogel argues that gifts are best received when given to children or people that we know very well. "With everyone else, we might be better off giving cash or gift cards," he writes. (See also: How to Get Rid of Your Unwanted Gifts and Make Money Too)

The solution: Give cash

Before you dismiss Scroogenomics as a cynical case of bah humbug, consider this. Annie Leonard, co-writer of the short film The Story of Stuff, shares that only 1 percent of the materials we use to produce consumer goods (including the items themselves) are still in use six months after purchase. That doesn't mean that 99 percent of those goods end up in the landfill. It does mean that 99 percent of the planet's resources that were consumed in the making of those goods were. Not only is your unwanted and underappreciated gift a big waste of money — it's a colossal waste of the world's resources.

According to the National Retail Federation, American consumers will spend an average $967 on holiday gifts this year. If the vast majority of those gifts are just going to waste, wouldn't giving cash be a more appropriate use of your time, energy, and hard-earned resources? And considering the NRF found that 61 percent of recipients would actually prefer some type of gift card or certificate instead of an object, there's even less reason to believe that "stuff" is the ticket to a well-received present.

Cash as a gift tends to feel less exciting and tangible these days, since money transfers can be done with the click of a button or through a smartphone. But, giving cash also doesn't have to include forking over a manilla envelope stuffed with bills. Your thoughtful cash gift can take many forms. For example:

Donate to a charity on behalf of a loved one. Think about a cause near and dear to the recipient's heart and share the gift in their name. Your donation is also tax deductible, so this gift is a win-win-win (be sure to save the receipt!). The environment will thank you, too. (See also: 8 Charities You Can Trust With Your Holiday Donations)
Open a savings or investment account for the recipient and stock that full of cold hard cash. This is the gift that literally keeps on giving. Can you say compound interest?
Earmark the money for an outing or travel excursion that you and the recipient can plan together. These are memories that will last longer than the stuff destined for a landfill near you. Plus, who wouldn't love a free trip?

If your need to experience the warm fuzzies of gift giving won't allow you to simply give cash, compliment your cash gift with a craft. A money tree made of dollar bills or a folded-bill chain combine the joy of making something for your recipient, with the utility of giving cash. This way, everyone can enjoy the holidays and get exactly what brings them joy. (See also: 10 Reasons Why You Should Ask for Cash This Christmas)

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This article is from Toni Husbands of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Money Goals You Should Set for the Holidays

Mikey Rox — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 09:00:09 +0000

The holidays are here today, gone tomorrow — and it's easy to get caught up in a tinseled tornado of financial distress if you're not careful. Avoid that fate this season with these self-imposed goals on how to better manage your holiday budget. It'll help you start the New Year financially fresh and fancy-free.

1. Stop spending money on gifts people don't need

When planning out your holiday gift list, think long and hard about what those people on your list may want or need. Don't be afraid to ask them, either. I always ask friends and family if they have something specific in mind — and I staunchly believe in getting what they'll love and use, so long as it fits into my budget.

Sometimes they provide solid ideas, and other times I get the ol' "I don't need anything" routine, even though they know good and well I'm going to buy them something anyway. (Way to help, Dad.) If you're unsure about a gift, or you feel like you're buying something just to buy it, think again. There's no reason to spend your money on something that will go unused, or even worse, be regifted.

When in doubt, a gift card to a favorite store generally works well — and you should take advantage of the ubiquitous "Spend $X in gift cards and get a $X gift card for free" promotions that many retailers and restaurants offer during the holidays. Stretch that cash every way you can. (See also: Save on Christmas Shopping With This Clever Gift Card Strategy)

2. Stop spending money on people who don't need gifts

Does everyone you know need a gift? Will you even see the recipients this holiday season? Are you disproportionately spending money on the people you do buy for? If money is tight and you're stuck in a pattern of buying gifts because you feel obligated, stand up for yourself and put a stop to it.

Several years ago, my brother, cousin, and a few of my best friends started churning out children left and right. I had to make the tough decision to cut the adults off my list. I couldn't afford to buy for everyone, so I chose the kids instead. I've never looked back on that decision with any regrets. I get to be the cool uncle who always gives the best presents — all while being able to save money despite that distinction.

3. Select, make, and "buy" gifts from stuff you already have

There's only one rule to regifting, in my opinion: Make sure the regift doesn't end up anywhere near the person who gave it to you in the first place. Bad form. Otherwise, please, regift items that were given to you that you haven't used (so long as they're still unopened and/or haven't expired). The same goes for unused items that you bought for yourself throughout the year (like clothing with the tags still on). Gift them to someone you think will appreciate them to help keep more money in your pocket.

I'm also a big fan of making gifts by hand. For instance, I'm hosting a small dinner party in December, and I'm making my guests a little take-home gift consisting of a festive homemade body scrub, a hand-poured holiday candle, and a bottle of wine I've recently made from a kit.

Simple, inexpensive, thoughtful — that's the name of the game. (See also: 25 Gifts You Can Make Today)

4. Concentrate on eliminating existing debt before racking up more

One of your top money goals this time of year should be focusing on debt you already have instead of racking up more buying gifts. That's not always easy to do during the holidays, but the due diligence will pay off.

If you have existing credit card debt, try your best not to make only the minimum monthly payments. Instead, begin paying a bit extra toward the principal starting with the card with the highest interest rate. This repayment strategy (otherwise known as the debt avalanche) will save you the most money overall on interest payments. High interest rates are what's keeping you in debt, and the faster you reduce or pay these cards off, the better. (See also: The Fastest Way to Pay Off $10,000 in Credit Card Debt)

5. Make a list of gift recipients and assign a budget per person

I like to plan out my gift buying to the tee, because I know how bad I can be with impulse purchases around the holidays. You know what it's like: You plan to get your mom a nice perfume set, but then you see this great piece of jewelry on sale — and your entire budget unravels before your eyes.

To combat this habit, I make an itemized list of what I'd like to buy for each person and assign a top-line budget based on the advertised retail price. And then I get to work. Before I make the final purchases, I scour my apps for cash-back deals, search the internet for promo codes, cash in my retailer rewards, and try to plan my in-store shopping around major sales. It helps that I get just about every circular and marketing email known to man — so I'm always abreast of what deals are going down — but you'll find equal savings with your own resourcefulness and research.

The point of all this extra legwork is to drastically come in below the gifts' retail prices so you cannot only stay under budget but, in fact, walk away from the holidays a solid winner. (See also: Avoid These 5 Common Holiday Budget Pitfalls)

6. Pay for gifts strictly from your holiday-spending envelope

Once you've made your itemized list of gifts and determined the overall budget, take out the cash from the bank, stick it in an envelope, and use only that money to buy gifts. There is no other alternative; this is all the money you have to spend, and you need to stick to this plan. If what you want to buy is online, consult your budget to make sure you're on track, then use your debit card. Then, immediately replace the deduction by making a deposit into your checking account so everything balances out. Yeah, it's old school — but it works.

7. Put any cash gifts you receive into savings or toward bills

Plan to put any holiday cash you receive from family members straight into your savings account or toward bills. This savings tactic isn't any fun — I understand — but you'll likely receive plenty of gift cards that you can spend instead that will help quell your urge to blow everything before the holidays even come to a close.

8. Shop with a buddy to keep each other away from impulse buys

I like shopping alone for several reasons. For starters, I don't have to wait on my companions and they don't have to wait on me, which, when shopping together, can really zap the relaxation out of my leisurely pace. Furthermore, I don't like people's opinions of my purchases or their comments about whether I really need this or that. It's my money, and I'll buy what I want.

Except around holiday time.

This is the time of year I like to employ the buddy system when shopping for the sole purpose of keeping each other focused on our lists and away from impulse buys. Because if my bestie can't smack my hand in public and tell me no, who can? That's what friends are for.

9. Lay the groundwork for 2018 and the future of your finances

There are a million things happening during the holidays, but that doesn't mean you can't look ahead and prepare yourself financially for the New Year. In fact, you owe it to yourself.

Kevin Driscoll, VP of Advisory Services for Navy Federal Financial Group, agrees.

"If you're not already doing so, begin contributing to your 401(k)," he says. "Make 2018 the year of financial freedom in retirement by saving now. Check out the retirement plan your employer offers, and if they offer a match, be sure to take advantage of this."

Also worth considering is investing in an online investment platform.

"You'll find that there are many sites that allow you to make minimal contributions to buy a portion of a stock," Driscoll continues. "This is a great way to get your feet wet with investing and hopefully make some extra money, too. Additionally, these platforms are generally low maintenance, and don't require any prior knowledge of the market or investing."

10. Find ways to spend and save even smarter

Every year, one of your top resolutions should be to stay on top of your finances and to improve your own money management. How do you do that? That's really up to you, but it will require due diligence on your part. It could be as easy as subscribing to personal finance blogs so you'll receive the latest financial self-help articles in your inbox, or maybe you can enroll in a local course that will help you better understand your money and your relationship with it. Both of these tactics combined would be great, too.

The point is, you should continue to educate yourself about how to spend and save smarter so you can achieve your goals and live a life free from the burden of debt. Easier said than accomplished, but people just like you do it on a regular basis. Invest in yourself and it will pay off eventually. (See also: 10 Financial Resolutions You Can Conquer Before New Year's)

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Excuses We Need to Stop Making About Overspending

Emily Guy Birken — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:00:06 +0000

Being able to rationalize something that we know we shouldn't do is one of the things that humans are best at. Specifically, we do a fantastic job of coming up with reasons to explain away or excuse our overspending. (See also: 5 Types of Overspenders — Which One Are You?)

But no matter how clever you are in coming up with a great reason for maxing out your credit card, emptying your savings account, or otherwise living large on money you don't have, your overspending will catch up with you. That's why it's time to stop relying on these excuses for spending more than you can afford. (See also: The 10 Biggest Lies We Tell Ourselves About Money)

1. "I deserve it"

After a long day at the office, you decide to swing by your favorite store, telling yourself you deserve a retail pick-me-up after all your hard work — even though you can't afford it. Or after finishing a major project, you go on a lavish vacation, courtesy of your credit card, because you deserve some time to unwind. Or when your old clunker finally gives out on you, you decide to lease a much more expensive car that will turn heads as you zoom past, because you deserve to have a ride that matches how fabulous you are.

Buying something you can't afford may provide a temporary thrill that feels like a reward in the moment. But the debt associated with your splurge will soon begin to feel like a burden. Where's the reward in that?

End the excuse

If you think that you deserve things that you can't afford to buy, you've got it all backward. What you deserve is feeling less stress and more happiness. There are plenty of ways to reward yourself for hard work that don't involve spending money. Take time out from your routine to go for a walk with a friend, indulge in a favorite TV show, or simply count your blessings.

Anytime you are struggling with the sense that you deserve something you don't have, take a moment to write a list of things you are grateful that you do have. This can help put the "I deserve it" excuse in context.

2. "It's on sale"

The fact that an item is cheaper than it could be is often an excellent excuse for buying it — at least according to our irrational brains. Unfortunately, retailers are onto this quirk of our thinking, and so they play any number of shenanigans with prices to make products seem like a good deal. This includes everything from artificially jacking up prices in order to be able to offer the items "on sale," to offering unbeatable discounts that are delivered directly to your email inbox. (See also: 5 Times Coupons Trick You Into Spending More Money)

End the excuse

There are two ways to deal with this excuse. The first is to simply avoid sales situations that will tempt you to overspend because of the low prices. According to a 2013 study in the Journal of Personality, the key to saying no to temptations is to avoid them. Maia Szalavitz reported on this study for TIME, writing "[the highly self-disciplined] tended to avoid creating situations in which their goals would conflict, and reported fewer instances of having to choose between short-term pleasure and long-term pain."

For those individuals who still struggle to avoid sales, there is another way to let go of this excuse for overspending. Ask yourself the following three questions about any sale item that tempts you to spend:

Do I need this item?
Would I buy this item if it weren't on sale?
Can I afford to buy this item?

Unless the answer to all three questions is an unqualified yes, put the item down and walk away.

3. "I was going to buy it anyway"

What if you do answer that you need an item on sale, even though you simply don't have the money for it right now? At that point, you can often rationalize purchasing the item because you're going to have to buy it anyway, so you might as well do so now.

Unfortunately, we are very good at lying to ourselves about whether or not we truly did plan to buy something at some point in the future. I can recall a pair of adorable rain boots that I bought on a bright sunny day because I convinced myself that I was going to need them at some point soon anyway. But I had no immediate need for the boots, and I could have gone quite some time without them. I told myself I needed the boots simply because I wanted to buy them. (See also: 5 Mental Biases That Are Keeping You Poor)

End the excuse

This excuse is a way of pretending that something you want is something you need. To help you navigate the difference between wants and needs, institute a waiting period for any unplanned purchases. When you see something that you are convinced you will buy anyway, commit to waiting at least 24 hours before you make the purchase. This will help you to separate the "Wow, I want this now" chaff from the "OK, I'll need to come back for this later" wheat.

4. "I was good last month, so I can afford to splurge now"

You've been depriving yourself by taking the bus instead of Ubering, choking down the office coffee instead of getting your morning latte, and even saying no to a pub crawl with friends — so now it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labors. You reason that you're allowed to go a little nuts, since you've already been so good for so long.

The problem is that this mentality is similar to the excuses that dieters and exercisers use when they fall off the wagon. This excuse makes it clear that you see your underspending month (or month of dieting or jogging) as a kind of deprivation. If you think of underspending as good behavior that you can perform in order to get back to your usual program of overspending, you'll never be able to get ahead financially. (See also: 6 Ways to Resist a Splurge)

End the excuse

It's important for everyone to find a budget or spending plan that they can live with for the long term — one that does not feel like deprivation, but does allow you to live within your means. You can completely foil this excuse for overspending if you create a budget that still allows you to spend money on the things you care about most, while cutting the items that don't matter as much to you.

When you have a financial life that you feel good about committing to long term, you will be able to end the thought process that encourages you to overspend after doing a great job of living within your means.

5. "It's the holidays"

It feels great to spend money to celebrate the holidays and give gifts to family and friends. And our brains can keep that great feeling going by convincing us that spending money on these things is a selfless act. After all, we just want to provide our loved ones with a memorable and happy holiday, which means we can put it all on a credit card and worry about the bill later. We're spreading holiday cheer, for heaven's sake!

But there are real consequences to overspending for the holidays. Your loved ones would hate to see you feel overwhelmed by credit card debt or unable to save for the future because of the money you spent on showering them with gifts. (See also: Dealing With Post-Holiday Credit Card Debt)

End the excuse

The best way to end this excuse is to recognize just what you are getting out of spending money on gifts, decorations, food, or other traditions. While you do want to create a lovely holiday memory for your family, you probably also love being known as the Christmas hostess with the extravagant brunch menu or the uncle who always has the best presents.

Once you admit that you get something out of overspending on gifts or the holiday, you can start coming up with ways to get that same feeling without overspending. When you recognize that your spending isn't entirely selfless, it's much easier to come up with creative ways to evoke the magic of the season without giving your credit card a daily workout.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Secrets to a Debt-Free Holiday Season

Kentin Waits — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:00:07 +0000

Remember when the holidays were all about simple pleasures like spending time with family and exchanging modest gifts? Neither do I. Holidays have taken on a life of their own, turning otherwise reasonable folks into consumer zombies and blowing up the budgets of too many Americans. This year, let's celebrate simplicity and financial solvency. Here are the secrets to a debt-free holiday season.

1. Push back against "holiday sprawl"

Ever feel like the holidays come earlier, last longer, and require more gifts, more elaborate decorations, more money, and more travel? Let's call this endless expansion what it is — holiday sprawl. Fight back by embracing the idea of enough. Suggest (and stick to) reasonable spending limits and keep ballooning expectations in check. Your budget will thank you. (See also: 9 Things You Can Do Right Now for a Frugal Holiday Season)

2. Shop early and shop around

Bright lights, big crowds, sales of the century — it's enough to make even the most levelheaded shopper lose control. Skip all the holiday madness by shopping early (I start in September and try to finish by Thanksgiving). You'll have more time to compare prices, shop for sales, and space out purchases so you won't have to rely on credit. (See also: 6 Reasons January Is the Right Time to Start Planning for Christmas)

3. Slow down

Holidays can be frantic. In the rush of activity, we often make bad decisions about what to buy and how much to spend. Slow. Things. Down. Break up your shopping excursions into several smaller trips and avoid shopping on days when you have a thousand other things to do. When shopping online, load your virtual cart, but don't commit to buy until you've thought about your choices overnight.

4. Avoid gimmicks

The holiday season can make or break retailers. To help us stretch our spending muscles, almost every store features blowout sales or deals that require the purchase of multiples (10 for $10). My advice? Be skeptical. That "biggest sale of the year" probably isn't. And what are you going to do with 10 bacon-scented candles, anyway?

5. Pay cash

Do you tend to spend more when you use credit? You're not alone. Paying by credit card — or worse yet, smartphone — blunts the conscious connection between spending more money and having less money. Make this holiday a cash-only affair. It'll keep your accounts in the black and make your first credit card bill of the new year a lot less frightening.

6. Make your gifts

Exchanging handmade gifts can be wonderful, even among adults. Buck the retail trend altogether and focus on your talents. Are you an expert baker? A gifted artist? An inspired brewmaster? Explore Pinterest for inexpensive homemade holiday gift ideas, then tap into your creative spirit. (See also: 10 Gift Ideas That Cost Almost Nothing)

7. Skip the greeting cards

I didn't get the memo: When did everyone decide that $14.99 is an acceptable price for a box of holiday cards? This year, save a few bucks by ditching the costly cards and postage. Instead, send a group email or catch up with a leisurely phone call.

8. Share experiences

If money's tight, swap traditional gifts for the gift of time together. Organize a holiday potluck, host a movie night with friends, or coordinate a charity event where everyone contributes a few hours of their time as a group. After all, what could be better than good food, good friends, and goodwill?

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11 Ways to Prepare for Your Best Black Friday

Mikey Rox — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 09:00:07 +0000

Don't let the success of Cyber Monday fool you: Black Friday is still a massive holiday spending day. According to the National Retail Federation, over 154 million consumers shopped over Black Friday weekend in 2016 — up from 151 million the year before.

Chances are, you're going to be one of those many consumers shopping on Black Friday this year. But you don't have to totally blow your budget in the process. There are ways you can soften the blow to your bank account with advance preparation. Here's how.

1. Put your common indulgences on hold

I like to have my hair cut every two weeks. But when I'm trying to save, I push the cut out to every three weeks. My haircuts cost $17 including tip, and if I adhered to this schedule on a regular basis, I'd save a whopping $148 a year. You may have an indulgence like this that you can honor less frequently or stop altogether while you try to budget more strictly during the holidays. These indulgences usually aren't cheap, and forgoing them will provide a sizable amount of extra dough for you to use for gift shopping.

2. Focus on paying off any existing credit card debt

Before you start swiping your cards left and right, it's important to tackle any existing credit card debt, especially if you've only been making minimum payments up to this point. Concentrate on the highest-interest cards first; you'll save more in the long run by paying those down or off as soon as possible. (See also: 5 Ways to Pay Off High Interest Credit Card Debt)

3. Pause or change your media subscriptions

The holidays are busy. Shopping, parties, pageants — you know the drill. All that running around probably leaves you with little time to use the subscription services for which you're paying a premium. So don't.

"Consider pausing subscriptions for a few months, or temporarily changing services to a lower-priced tier," advises Lindsay Sakraida, director of content marketing with DealNews. "For example, if you pay extra for Hulu without ads, premium Netflix, or extra data cell service, you might want to adjust all of them for a month or two to save some cash for Black Friday and the holidays."

4. Pick up short-term gigs and odd jobs for quick cash

I participate in several "gig" services throughout the year, but this side work really picks up around the holidays — and that helps my disposable income swell. Pet sit via Rover.com, pick up passengers using Lyft, host guests in your home through Airbnb, and deliver groceries with the help of Instacart. I do it all, and I highly recommend looking into any one of these opportunities for quick cash. (See also: 8 Seasonal Side Hustles That'll Cover Your Holiday Spending)

5. Make a gift list and establish a firm maximum budget

Make your list, check it twice, and decide how much you want to spend on each recipient. Once that budget is set, stick to it. Better yet, make it your goal to come in under the amounts you've established for each person so you can treat yourself to a little something special when all is said and done. (See also: The Simple Holiday Budget Anyone Can Follow)

6. Research the Black Friday deals ahead of time

News of many Black Friday offers will be released well in advance — several retailers, like Walmart, Costco, Kohl's, and JCPenny have already whetted consumers' appetites with "leaked" deals — which allows you plenty of time to research the best of the best. There are entire sites, such as Best of Black Friday, dedicated to compiling the deals in one place.

7. Start shopping early to spread out your spending

Why wait until Black Friday if you recognize a great deal when you see one? Just because the day after Thanksgiving receives heavy promotion doesn't mean there aren't other great deals before the stampedes begin.

"Make it a point to get a jump-start on planning and shopping early so you have a few months to purchase gifts instead of waiting until the holiday season," suggests Natasha Rachel Smith, personal finance expert at TopCashback.com. "Also, don't forget about deals on Thanksgiving. Every year Black Friday has crept up earlier and earlier. In fact, in recent years, some deals sell out before Black Friday." (See also: 6 Ways to Score a Black Friday Deal Without Leaving Home)

8. Have a game plan before stepping foot in the store

Similar to never going to the supermarket on an empty stomach, don't head into the holiday season without a game plan.

"Most major retailers will release their deals for Black Friday the week before to give consumers time to plan and get excited about what they want to purchase," Smith says. "Use this time wisely to see what is going to be on sale and compare deals at each retailer. By creating a game plan, you can prioritize any items that sell fast or are at the best-discounted price. Not only will you save time but you'll save money too by planning what to get, when, and where." (See also: 8 Frugal Skills You Need to Survive Black Friday)

9. Consult your cash back apps before heading out

I've been killing it in the cash back game lately, thanks to apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51. The trick is to consult these apps before you go shopping so you know what's available and opt in if required. With Ibotta, for instance, many times it requires you to make purchases through its app — it will launch the retailers' sites for you, like Under Armour, as an example — so it can track your purchase and deposit the cash back you've earned. Every penny returned to you helps. Trust me — you will be thankful for this at holiday time. (See also: 7 Apps That Actually Pay You to Shop)

10. Consider your method of payment for maximum savings

You might think that cash in hand is the best way to shop on Black Friday (it certainly can help avoid overspending if you're disciplined), but you could be disqualifying yourself for deals available through other methods of payment. Capitalize on your Black Friday spending by deciding how you're going to buy things — cash, debit, or credit card — to reap the best benefits.

Scope out all your payment options and use the bonuses and rewards in your favor. If you do the research and find that you want to apply for a specific card, do so a couple weeks in advance to ensure you receive it in time to use it. Using the shopping season to get bonus cash back that has a spending requirement can give you help ease the holiday costs. (See also: Read This to Maximize Your Rewards and Cash Back This Holiday Season)

11. Renew your commitment to financial freedom

It's easy to go overboard during the holidays, whether it's on gifts or social activities. Don't let yourself off the hook on your financial goals just because it's the holidays. Stay committed to them and use the holidays to focus on gratitude rather than the mad dash to grab discounts.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Teach Your Kids About Money With Their Holiday Gift Lists

Emily Guy Birken — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:09 +0000

Giving my children Hannukah presents is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. Seeing their faces light up when they open a gift is one of the best feelings in the world.

However, it can be very easy for kids to overlook the message of generosity that we are trying to teach for Christmas and Hannukah. They are bombarded by advertisements on all sides and constant reminders that the holidays are on their way — which means kids can often fall prey to the gimme gimmes. Many parents see this play out when they ask their kids to create a holiday wish list, and receive an eight-page, single-spaced list of expensive items.

But just because children can learn the wrong things from holiday gifts doesn't mean they have to. In fact, parents can use the practice of writing a gift list to teach their kids about budgeting, frugality, generosity, and managing expectations. This year, try one of the following holiday gift lists to help your children learn about money and the true spirit of giving. (See also: How to Use the Holidays to Teach Kids About Money)

1. The four gift list

Families following the four gift list rule will give each child:

Something they want.
Something they need.
Something to wear.
Something to read.

When your kids are penning their holiday wish lists, tell them to place each item in one of these four categories. You can make it clear that they can put more than one item in each category, but they will only receive one present from each category. This will help them to better understand the things they truly need and recognize how much they value their various wanted items. If everything on their list is a want, this exercise will help them manage their expectations. It can also potentially spur them to find needs, clothes, and books that they are excited to receive.

This rule is also very helpful for parents who often go overboard with gift shopping. When you see something adorable that you'd love to give your child, you'll have to decide if it's worthy of being one of only four "somethings" on the list.

2. Include gifts to others

Last winter, my sons were delighted to watch the animated adaptation of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats on Amazon. We had long been fans of the classic book, and the sweet story of Peter's adventure in the snow was expanded to tell an animated Christmas story in this short film.

One of my favorite parts of the adaptation was the story of Peter's Jewish friend Layla, who delivers a gift to a charity on the sixth night of Hannukah. She explains that it's her family's tradition to give instead of receive on that night of Hannukah, and she and her mother have picked out something special to give away.

This tradition is very well-suited to Hannukah, which lasts for eight nights. Parents can easily set aside one night to be about giving to those less fortunate rather than receiving — but any family can encourage their children to think of others when making their holiday gift lists.

In addition to writing down the things that they want, your kids can also include a list of gifts they can give to others. These could be traditional gifts for families in need, or they can be more creative, like writing letters to deployed soldiers or volunteering. By including a place for giving back on their holiday wish list, your kids will learn to associate generosity with your holiday traditions.

3. Create a gift-giving theme

For older children, a fun way to celebrate the holidays and teach frugality is to set a theme for gift giving. For instance, Stacia Mcclure's family would give everyone a hard spending limit, and specify where everyone could shop: "One year, we decided all gifts had to come from a truck stop — and gift cards were excluded. My dad still talks about that year because he got an entire box of Necco wafers. The hospital gift shop Christmas was also quite entertaining."

Other types of holiday themes might include only buying "As Seen on TV" items, books, games, or food items.

Picking a "theme" helps teenagers learn to be creative within a spending framework, which is excellent practice for learning how to be frugal. A teen who can have fun and give a meaningful (or at least hilarious) low-cost gift from a truck stop will learn to think outside the box when it comes to tougher money decisions. (See also: 5 Steps to Stress-Free Holiday Gift Giving)

4. Ask them to pick a stock

Several years ago, Stephanie McCullough's daughter asked for a new iPod for the holidays. "Instead, I bought her two shares of Apple," McCullough says, "which cost about the same as a new device at the time. There was no way to know this at the time, but the stock has skyrocketed since then."

If you let your children know that you plan to buy them a share of a company they like, you will not only be giving them a gift that will keep on giving, but you can also help to spark an interest in finance.

They can either pick a publicly-traded company they like, or they can do a little research into how well their favorite companies have fared in the market. The latter will help them start to get a sense of figuring out what makes a good investment. Even if they don't research their stock before including it on their gift list, you can invite them to track the stock's price over time to see how their gift is doing.

5. Include a time gift

As much as your children love ripping the wrapping paper off a new toy, what they really want most is to spend time with their parents. You can give them the gift of your time by asking them to include a request on their gift list for something you can do together. For instance, your child might list "baking cookies together" or "going fishing together" on their wish list.

While you could always create a "coupon" for the requested time gift, you can also find a small tangible item you could give your child to use for their time gift. For instance, you might give them a new cookbook that you can peruse together to find the perfect cookie recipe, or a fishing hat for them to wear next time you go to the lake.

By having your child include a time gift request on their holiday wish list, you are teaching them that the best gifts come from being together, rather than spending lots of money.

The benefit of limits

The magic of the holiday season does not come from tearing into an enormous pile of presents, even though much of our culture tries to convince kids otherwise. Teaching your children to use frameworks for thinking about their holiday gift wishes can help them to better appreciate the real lessons of the season, as well as learn some important money skills that will last them well into adulthood.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Ways to Tidy Up Your Finances Before the Holidays

Mikey Rox — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 08:30:12 +0000

Summer is over. This fall, fortify your finances to take the end of the year in stride. These helpful tips will get you back on track (and help you stay on track) budget-wise.

1. Start your holiday shopping now

Instead of making a mad rush for last-minute deals, spread out your gift buying over the course of the next couple months. Watch your local circulars and emails for discounts and promo codes, and strike while the proverbial iron seems hot.

For instance, I just purchased several packs of Calvin Klein undies as a Christmas gift for my boo because I received an email for 25 percent off, plus I had an additional 15 percent off coupon with free shipping. Will there be steeper discounts in the near future? I can't be sure, but I had enough savings stacked up to feel like I made a smart choice, and now I can check one more gift off my list.

2. Max out retirement plan contributions

If you haven't already — and your budget can tolerate it — try to max out your 401(k) and 403(b) contributions at work. The employee contribution limit for 2017 is $18,000, and if you haven't reached that, it's time to come as close as you can. Those over age 50 can contribute an additional $6,000 as a catch-up contribution. If your employer offers matching funds, this should be a top financial priority, lest you fail to claim thousands of dollars in free money.

3. Take advantage of layaway

Layaway has had its up and downs over the years. What was once a common practice during the Great Depression started to fall out of favor by the 1980s thanks to the rising popularity of credit cards. Walmart all but left the service for dead in 2006 when it announced it would stop offering it, but by 2012, many retailers were back on the layaway bandwagon to make buying easier on customers in a tumultuous economy. (See also: Is Layaway Still Worth It?)

Personally, I loved layaway in my early 20s when I was on a shoestring budget. It allowed me to plan ahead and make scheduled payments so everything would be ready to go by Christmas. It's certainly a helpful buying tactic to look into if your finances are tight but you still want to participate in gift giving.

3. Use or lose flexible spending dollars

If you're lucky enough to have a flexible spending account through your employer, your FSA may need to be spent by year's end. Try to use up the balance so you're not losing cash. In doing so, you'll free up funds elsewhere that you don't have to use on medical needs.

"Since 2013, your employer may offer one of two carry-over options," says Ryan McPherson, founder of the financial planning firm Intelligent Worth in Atlanta, Georgia. "One — roll up to $500 of unused funds into the following year or two, offer a two-and-a-half month grace period during which you may use your unspent FSA balance. Check with your employer, because offering one of these options is not a requirement. If you don't have either of these carry-over options and expect to have money left in your FSA, try to move appointments and medical/dental-related purchases (i.e., eye glasses or contacts) into 2017."

If you're unsure where your FSA funds apply, IRS publication 502 offers guidance on what counts as a "qualified medical expense." (See also: 8 Ways to Spend Your Last-Minute Health Care FSA Funds)

4. Make a gift list and check it twice

I use to get in this mindset — especially when I started making a little more money — that everybody needed a gift. That logic is false. Everybody doesn't need a gift for the sake of giving them a gift. Now, I make a list of the usual suspects with whom I exchange — immediate family, boyfriend, a few friends — but even then I give it a second glance to see where I can make cuts. Will I see this aunt or that buddy this year? If the answer is no, decide whether a gift is necessary at all to put some more money back in your pocket. (See also: 9 Gifts That Won't Become Clutter)

5. Revise your winter budget

Everything about winter costs more than other times of the year, and you should prepare by revising your budget to make sure all bases are covered.

"In addition to holiday expenses, as the weather gets colder, heating costs also increase," says Roslyn Lash, an accredited financial counselor. "It's imperative that you also set some money aside for inclement weather expenses. Unfortunately, when ice/snow is the forecast, schools typically close, and this could mean paying someone to baby-sit the kiddos. It could also prevent you from going to work, which means lost revenue." (See also: 5 Big Winter Expenses That Could Freeze Your Budget)

6. Determine what's necessary for the holidays and cut back from there

I love all things holiday — the decorations, the parties, the gifts, the endless array of baked goods — and if I'm not participating in someone else's festivities, I'm hosting my own. Of course that can get expensive, so I take a one-year-on, one-year-off approach to the latter part of that equation. Two years ago I hosted a holiday party in my home, but last year I didn't. I bought more holiday decorations for the house last year, but this year I won't. This practice not only helps me save money, but it also lets me cycle through things that I need to get rid of in a timely manner (like half-full bottles of liquor, for instance) and cut down on overall holiday clutter. (See also: Avoid These 5 Common Holiday Budget Pitfalls)

7. Get into a cash back state of mind

Upfront coupons and savings are great, but there's plenty more to be had on the back end if you know where to look. Apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards provide cash back on purchases made on preset items or at selected retailers. Last month I scored more than $50 cash back (which was on top of other savings I received on the front end) by shopping through Ibotta.

If you're responsible at managing credit, now's also a great time to take advantage of a cash back credit card on your day to day purchases. By using a cash back card on necessities like groceries or gas, you'll earn cash to bolster your budget. Just be sure to pay off your balance in full every month, or else this method isn't worth it. (See also: 11 Ways Your Credit Card Will Save You Money While Holiday Shopping)

8. Rebid your insurance policies

You may be able to shave some money off your bills this fall by reviewing your insurance coverage.

Michael Landsberg, CFP and founder of Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management in Punta Gorda, Florida, recommends rebidding your auto and home insurance policies to at least three independent agents (but not the online ones that are all owned by the same companies).

"Often times, this rebidding process puts hundreds if not thousands back in people's pockets right before the holidays," he explains. "It's very easy. Just take your current policy declaration page and send that to an independent agent and let them do the work. The worst that can happen is you find out you've got a good program in place already."

9. Book travel before demand pricing kicks in

If you're traveling this fall or holiday season, book your mode of transportation and accommodations as soon as possible so you're not looking at ultra expensive rates at the last minute. Hotels and rental cars in particular go fast, and they're subject to on-demand pricing, which means your wallet could end up getting walloped if you're not shut out altogether. (See also: Do These 9 Things Now to Make Holiday Air Travel Easier)

10. Investigate a balance transfer

If you're carrying a high balance on a credit card, now is a great time to give yourself a credit card checkup.

"Explore what's out there," advises Han Chang, co-founder of InvestmentZen. "Many lenders are beginning to offer deals now to get a jump on the holidays. Consolidating credit card debt via a balance transfer can be pretty enticing, especially with those 0 percent introductory APR offers, which usually last for six to 12 months. If you can find a good offer, you could potentially pay down a significant amount of debt before November and December."

But nothing is ever free; offers like this often come with a one-time balance transfer fee ranging from 3 percent to 10 percent of the total balance transfer. That can really add up and, if you're not careful, completely negate any savings that 0 percent APR offers. Be sure to make your payments on time. (See also: Is a Balance Transfer Offer a Good Deal?)

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Good Financial Deeds that Can Backfire

Tim Lemke — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 09:00:12 +0000

The saying goes that no good deed goes unpunished. Perhaps there are actually some good deeds that don't backfire, but there are many financial good deeds that can come back to haunt a generous soul if they're not careful. These favors can cost you more money than you expected, or hurt your credit. Before you embark on an expedition of financial kindness, consider these examples of good deeds that can backfire.

1. Co-signing a lease or loan

You may hope to do a friend or family member a favor by helping them buy a new car or land a new apartment. But even if you are assisting someone you know and trust, you are putting your own finances at risk. If the other person fails to make a loan payment or doesn't pay the rent, you will be on the hook for whatever is owed. If you can't make the payments, it will show up on your credit report and hurt your credit score. Even if the other party pays on time, you are increasing your debt-to-income ratio by being a co-signer to any loans, and that can hurt your own ability to get a loan.

If you feel strongly about helping someone out with a lease or loan, it's better to protect your own credit by making them a personal loan, preferably one that won't sink you financially if they don't pay you back.

2. Adding an authorized user to your credit card

It's hard to build credit when you're first starting out. That's why some parents choose to make their child an authorized user on their credit card. This is often a great way for your teen to start building credit.

But there are right and wrong ways to do it. This strategy can backfire financially, especially if you're not keeping an eye on their spending. Missed payments and high debt levels could impact both of your credit scores.

It's best to add your child as an authorized user only if you can closely track their spending. Once they've established that they can be financially responsible, let them get their own credit card if they qualify for one.

3. Donating to a bad charity

It's unfortunate, but every once in awhile you'll hear a story about a nonprofit group that either failed to live up to its mission or was a complete scam from the start. Hopefully, if you've donated to a bad charity, you've walked away with nothing more than a few lost dollars. But in a worst-case scenario, you may have unwittingly contributed to illegal activity.

Before you donate to a charity, take some time to research the organization. Read their annual report and any public financial documents. Ask for their tax ID number and tax forms. Giving money is great, but it's worth taking the time to make sure it's going to a good and honest cause.

4. Lending money to your kids

There's nothing philosophically wrong with helping your kids out with money if you're in a position to do so. But if you're constantly giving them money or bailing them out of situations, you may be throwing good money after bad. Moreover, you're failing to teach them how to be financially responsible on their own.

Even young children should learn the basics of budgeting and saving, and the consequences that come from, say, spending all their allowance on candy and then not having enough money to go to the movies with their friends. Teens should be encouraged to get part-time jobs if possible to help pay for vehicles or college. These lessons give them the skills to be financially independent, making them much better off financially in the long run than if you simply give them cash whenever they need it. (See also: How to Help Your Kid Build Their First Budget)

5. Paying for your kid's college

With college costs rising to outlandish heights, many parents are making an effort to save for all or part of a child's education. This is a generous deed that could result in a child avoiding costly student loans.

It's important, however, to avoid taking away too much from your own savings goals. If you save for your children's college education instead of saving for your own retirement, this may impact the lifestyle you can afford after you stop working. It's always possible to borrow for college, if necessary. But no one's handing out loans to cover your 30-plus years of retirement. (See also: Why Saving Too Much for a College Fund Is a Bad Idea)

6. Socially responsible investing

There are many investors who want to make money in the stock market but don't want to go against some of their core beliefs. They may choose not to invest in energy companies that have gotten in trouble for polluting, for example. Or they stay away from investing in casinos for religious reasons. There's nothing wrong with this, and it's definitely possible to invest well without violating your principles.

But it's important to know how these choices impact your investment returns. For one thing, there are many well-performing stocks that you may find objectionable, so you need to be comfortable with the notion of giving up some potentially big returns. It's also not easy to find an index fund (an often-recommended type of fund that mirrors a particular stock index or market segment) that doesn't own shares of at least one company you might object to, though socially responsible index funds have become more plentiful. Just make your decision to abstain from certain investments with full knowledge of how it might cost you.

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This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: