Save Like Scrooge as Holidays Approach

Set priorities

The holidays are supposed to be about giving, but that doesn't mean giving family members everything on their lists. Quality over quantity should be this year's motto. With budget in hand, consider asking family members to whittle down their lists to a few key items. Involving them in the decision between getting the latest gaming console or new skateboarding gear can help avoid disappointment when gifts are unwrapped. And for the surprise gifts, consider toys that will engage your kids' imaginations instead of just entertaining them with bright lights and loud sounds: For some advice on weighing the pros and cons of various toy types, check out this guide from a national group of early-childhood professionals.

Shop online

The post-Thanksgiving retail numbers are in, and reviews were decidedly mixed. That means you can expect lots of sales in the near future as retailers move inventory and try to catch the eye of increasingly budget-conscious consumers like you. Your best bet to finding discounts? Let your fingers do the shopping. You can compare prices more easily online, and many Web sites are offering free shipping and deep discounts. (Look for coupon codes on sites such as RetailMeNot.com for additional savings.

Avoid expensive sales

While shopping online may not have the same feel as walking through the mall, it can help reduce impulse buys. And nothing promotes impulse buying like a "50% off" sign on an already expensive item. Brick-and-mortar stores will often advertise sales in flyers and newspaper inserts, so just be sure you were planning on buying the advertised item in the first place. (Even if a sweater is advertised at 50% off, you shouldn't buy it if it breaks your budget.)

For other great deals, pay attention to the news. Companies such as Circuit City(CC Quote) and Linens 'n Things that are going out of business are likely to offer fire-sale prices. (Just be aware that at most of these stores, all sales are final, meaning no exchanges if you end up getting the wrong item.)