'Tis the season – to save.

How to make the most of your holiday budget.

The holidays are fast approaching; get ready for all the merriment – and shopping! Will you brave the crowded stores or shop online from your couch? Whatever you decide, with a little planning and budgeting you can save on stress, money and unnecessary debt. Now that's something to celebrate.

Determine your budget.

Take a look at your budget and see what you can afford. Whether you've been saving all year for holiday shopping, or are just starting, the key is sticking to your budget. This means not using credit cards unless you have budgeted to pay them off in full when the statement arrives. As you budget, you may want to think about next year – and set up a special savings account for holiday shopping. With automatic transfers throughout the year, your money can be waiting for you next season. TD Bank can get you started with one of our Savings accounts.

Make a list – and check it twice.

A list will keep you on track with your budget and help you avoid unnecessary purchases. Make a list of everyone you're buying gifts for and assign a dollar amount. Does your gift list exceed your budget? Go back and revise the dollar amount per person, and consider getting creative (see below).

Do a little homework.

Check online, in stores and ads to find the best price for items on your list. Hit the after-Thanksgiving sales, and be sure to ask about any price matching or return policy. Also take advantage of store's email lists – they often send special sale and coupon info. A lot of websites offer free shipping, so send gifts to out of town family and friends directly.

Get creative.

Thoughtful, unique gifts are always more fun to receive. You'd be surprised at how just a little more thought into what each person would really like will save you money. You can also look online to see what kind of gifts you could make at home. The holidays are really about enjoying each other, so keep in mind that the gift of time may be the best of all.

Catch up on recent articles:

Get smart about credit
Fall into savings
The back-to-school budget
Read more archived articles

Expand Important Disclosures

Neither TD Bank US Holding Company, nor its subsidiaries or affiliates, is responsible for the content of third party sites hyper-linked from this page, nor do they guarantee or endorse the information, recommendations, products or services offered on third party sites.

Third party sites November have different Privacy and Security policies than TD Bank US Holding Company. You should review the Privacy and Security policies of any third party website before you provide personal or confidential information.

This article is based on information available in November 2013. It is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide specific financial, investment, tax, legal, accounting, or other advice and should not be acted or relied upon without the advice of a professional advisor. A professional advisor will recommend action based on your personal circumstances and the most recent information available.

Holiday hosting on a budget.
Holiday parties are also a big part of the season, so whether you're hosting your entire family or just a few friends, here are some tips for entertaining on a budget:

The invite.
Create an invite through your social network or design an e-card to send by e-mail. Want a more personal touch? Invite your friends by phone.
The decorations.
Lighting is an inexpensive way to make a big impact: stock up on strands of white and multi-color lights for entrances and serving stations. Use candles and low lighting everywhere else to set a festive mood.
The food and drink.
Search online for budget-friendly recipes or consider having your party well before or after dinner, so you can serve appetizers or desserts instead of a full meal. For beverages, you can serve one custom or theme drink, and suggest that guests bring their favorite to share.
The gifts.
Most gift swaps have dollar limits assigned so you can plan accordingly. If you don't know who you're buying for, a good rule is to buy something you'd be happy to take home.

Connect with TD:

SECURITIES AND INSURANCE
NOT FDIC INSURED	NO BANK GUARANTEE	MAY LOSE VALUE

Securities and other investment and insurance products are: not a deposit; not FDIC insured; not insured by any federal government agency; not guaranteed by TD Bank, N.A. or any of its affiliates; and, may be subject to investment risk, including possible loss of value.

Securities products and brokerage services are offered through TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC/NFA. TD Ameritrade, Inc. and TD Bank, N.A. are affiliated through their parent firms. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Used with permission.

Data as of August 2018. Comparison of longest average store hours in the regions (MSAs) in which TD Bank operates compared to major banks. Major banks include our top 20 national competitors by MSA, our top five competitors in store share by MSA and any bank with greater or equal store share than TD Bank in the MSA. Major banks do not include banks that operate in retail stores such as grocery stores, or banks that do not fall in an MSA.