Holidays' Planning Starts Now!

We're already halfway there, and now is the time to start planning and thinking about the holidays.  If you live on a budget (and I think that no matter your income, everyone needs to make a budget), you need to be highly organized, so I'll share some pointers for a less stressful Holiday Season.

Plan
Sit down with a notebook and a calendar and write about everything you need for the holidays.  You'll sort it through once finished.  You can even write down the menu and the grocery shopping list. It's not too early, believe me.  Check the calendar for the main holidays, weekends, etc. this way you can take the best out of these special days. Hey! maybe you'll end up hosting the NYE party! Assign a budget and a strict gifts list. Set reminders on your cell phone or computer calendar.  I've been using this internet calendar tool for a couple of months and it works great.

Inventory
This is the time to check your storage for everything labeled "Xmas"; lights, artificial tree, gift wrap paper, boxes and bags.  Try the lights and dispose or fix anything that's broken or doesn't work.  If you want to recycle ornaments, check if they need touch-up, maybe on the glitter, some glue, etc. and add it to the shopping list.

Gifts - Sales
During this months, most stores have huge sales; they're changing inventory from summer to back-to-school and most offer clearance.  You can ask an employee when's the best day to find good deals, I've discovered this way that a department store I visit has huge clearance sales every first and last Friday of the month, early in the morning.  Remember, everything will be overpriced during the holiday season so try to buy most of the gifts now, some stores offer lay-away plans, you pay it little by little and don't hurt the pocket too much.

Goals
Set yourself some holiday goals like wearing that red spandex dress for New Years Eve or cooking your first turkey, anything goes. Goals can go from setting a max-spend limit, a road trip to visit your family, home improvement, etc. "The difference between a dream and a goal is the date." 


Start planning now, you'll suffer less later. :)