And consider any taxes, either personal or property, that are due early in the new year, at the same time as your holiday bills. When making your gift list, determine a specific budget for each loved one. As hard as it might be, try to avoid impulse buying. Your loved ones will forgive you if they don't get that lavish gift, but your checking account won't be so understanding if you overspend. Using cash for purchases is a great way to stick to a budget, but it might not be safe to carry large sums.
Debit cards offer greater safety than cash while helping maintaining a budget.
Like checks, debit cards withdraw money immediately from your account - you're not borrowing from a card company. Like using cash, debit cards help prevent you from spending money that you really don't have. Remember, though, to enter debit purchases into your check register to keep track of your account balance. You don't want to pay fees for accidental overdrafts. Most people end up using credit cards for at least some purchases.