Christmas is a time when emotion can often get the better of us and we end up spending more money than we intend to. Even the best laid plan can end up a thing of the past when we get in the festive spirit and this is why it is crucial to spend extra time and effort making sure you are always conscious of what's in your wallet.
To make sure you don't overspend at Christmas, take advantage of some popular, extremely effective tips which will help keep you from drowning in your overdraft!

Budget. Knowing how much money you have available to spend in the first place is half the battle and once you know this, it's simply a case of distributing the funds accordingly. Without a budget, you are spending your money blind so spend a couple of hours working out exactly how much you have available.

Don't give in to the pressure. People feel massive pressure to get really good presents for their friends and families but the old saying really does ring true - it's the thought that counts. You really don't have to spend a great deal of money to give great presents, originality is often much more appreciated. Perhaps you could offer your services for a day, cutting lawns, cleaning swimming pools or cooking dinner. A nicely put together photograph in an attractive frame goes a long way towards impressing the recipient and it's relatively inexpensive.

Stay in. Christmas is a time for family and you can take advantage of this by staying in and not spending any money. A lot of people spend more on going out over the festive season than anything else, just one night out can empty your bank account in an instant! Stay in and spend some quality time with you relatives.