The pressure to “buy, buy, buy” during the holiday season can be intense. If you don’t have a budget - and stick to it - you may wind up short of money for necessities or with massive credit card bills after the holidays.

The Better Business Bureau and Clearpoint Credit Counseling have teamed up to offer tips to help you manage expenses and stay out of debt.

Clearpoint suggests these tips:

• Make a list: Write down the names of everyone on your gift-giving list.
• Set a limit: Decide how much you can spend on each gift as well as the total amount you have to spend on gifts. Some families draw names so you only buy for a one other family member or they decide to buy gifts only for the children.
• Do research: Compare prices to see what the best deal is on the items you want to buy. Read advertisements closely and check prices online before you go to store. Remember that shipping costs can add to the online prices.
• Plan purchases: Decide what you will buy online and what you will spend at local stores.

Check out our Holiday Planner Calculator, which helps divide your spending among categories like gifts, travel and food.

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