Have you waited too long to complete your Christmas shopping? If so, you may have missed out on a lot of the best deals and are now up against the wall. Even though you may be running out of time it is important that you keep your cool and stick to your budget. Believe it or not, you can save on Christmas gifts no matter when you head to the store.

The best way to save is to have a list and a budget, and then shop around to find the best deal. Of course, if you don’t have a lot of time you may not be able to shop around as much as you would like. But at the very least you should check out at least two stores before making a decision. For instance, if you are buying a GPS system it is a good idea to not only compare stores but to also compare models. You may find out soon enough that you can save money by purchasing a specific model from a specific store.

Most stores have sales leading up to Christmas, as well as the days following. By keeping your eyes open you will know where to turn for the best deals. Not only do stores run commercials during the holiday season, but you will receive ads in the mail while also coming across online sales. If you are constantly on the lookout for good deals you can save money no matter what day you decide to shop; even if it is Christmas Eve.

It is never a good idea to wait until the last minute to shop for Christmas gifts. But if you find yourself in this position it is important to realize that you can still save money.

Economic doom and gloom always has its up side and one is that a bunch of products that used to seem expensive have had some dramatic price falls either recently or over the last ten years. Check the list to see if any of the cheaper products are things that are also on your wish list:

• Toys: Over the entire last decade, toys have got cheaper and cheaper. One of the reasons, unfortunately, is that the quality is dropping, but often times that doesn’t really matter - a game is still a game.
• Clothing: Same applies for clothes - the quality might be lower at some discount clothing stores, but it’s often adequate for your needs and the prices are much, much lower.
• Cars: Not so many people are after a new car now - it’s one of the first things people stop buying when a credit crunch starts - but that means you can get some real bargains.
• Watches: Most people are buying watches that they don’t plan to wear forever - they know the quality will last a couple of years and that’s fine because by that time they’ll want a change. As a result, prices have been falling over the last decade.
• Electronic goods: Just as an example, computers cost almost 90% less than they did ten years ago. More competition and cheaper production possibilities - and now combined with an economic crisis where retailers have to slash prices to entice customers - mean there’s never been a better time to buy a new TV or computer.

photo credit: Tracy O
In my house right now, we’re considering buying a lawnmower and firing the lawmower guy (shh, don’t tell him!). But the lawnmower purchase is a big one - my other half’s looking at one around the $1000 mark - so it needs some research. This guide from Mint on planning for big purchases is helping us out as we narrow down on what type of lawnmower and how much we should spend. The most useful tips there are:

• Figure out the features that you must have. For example, what kind of blade on the lawnmower, or how big a new car should be.
• Decide on the price range - which really means, decide a maximum price. Ignore any product you see which costs more than that - ignore it without finding out anything more about it than its price.
• Ignore the up-sell when the sales person wants to sell you extra features - like cup holders in the car for $300. It might not seem much if you’re spending $20,000, but it is. Be strong!
• Check smaller stores as well as large discounters, and don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price at a shop you like when you’ve seen the same item advertised at a lower price elsewhere. Ask what extra features they can throw in for free, too.

photo credit: KitAy

Blogger and organic eater Ginger at the Girls Just Wanna Have Funds blog has been complaining about the rises in grocery prices over the last year - in fact, she says that between January and September this year, her grocery bill more than doubled.

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photo credit: ninjapoodles

What we spend at the supermarket often makes up a large portion of our weekly expenses. That means that finding a few ways to save money on our grocery bills is definitely useful. Financial Planning at About.com recently ran a post with handy tips and here’s a summary of the most useful information they gave:

Plan ahead by writing a shopping list and using a meal plan to do so. When you’re at the supermarket, don’t buy anything unless it’s on your list.

Eat before you shop - if you’re hungry you’re much more likely to make impulse purchases and spend more than you planned to.

Stock up on specials, but check to make sure they really are specials. Buying bulk can save you money, but sometimes supermarkets offer items at a special price which actually has a higher unit price than smaller packets. Do the math.

Consider buying store brands rather than the more expensive known brands - for many products, you won’t notice any difference.

Using different cuts of meat can save money.

Check out the different coupons you can use at a supermarket both in your local paper and online, and use them to save money too.

photo credit: Cia de Foto

A slowing economy can have a big effect on fun spending, like vacations or wardrobe upgrades. Thankfully, there are ways to save money on luxury items and one-time necessary purchases, helping you buy more with less. And if you find yourself in need of furnishing an empty room, follow MSNBC’s 10 Tips for Furniture Shopping on the Cheap:

• Use the Internet: Compare prices online, find out what you like, and know what you’re looking for, all before stepping foot in your first of many 20,000-square foot furniture stores.
• Consider used: Used furniture is a bargain, and you can find lots of items in fantastic condition. So before you decide to buy all new, check out what’s available in your local classifieds.
• Inspect things in person: It’s tempting to buy everything online, but a photo won’t tell you how soft a couch is, how sturdy a bed frame will be, or if upholstery will match your current color scheme.
• Visit area warehouses: Sam’s Club and BJ’s are great for big purchases, and often have great deals on living room sets and dining room tables, helping you save hundreds.
• Read the paper: Your weekend paper is probably full of circulars, many of which will highlight great furniture deals. Don’t be afraid to take flyers with you, and ask for price matching.

photo credit: ninjapoodles

If you knew that coupon cutting could earn you $20 per hour, would you sit down on Sunday afternoons to do it? Many Americans have made this adjustment to their weekend schedules, doing what they can to pinch pennies and save help their families out. It’s official: cutting coupons is in again. (more…)

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If you’re a little bit organized, a good planner and flexible, you can easily save $100 a week on your grocery shopping for a family of four. Laura Rowley’s tips focus on using (and organizing) coupons, following some key websites and doing a reasonable amount of planning ahead. Some of her most interesting tips include: (more…)

credit: Paul Keleher

If you’re a seasoned antiques bargain hunter or just looking to score beautiful furniture at a great deal, antique sales are one of the furniture market’s best kept secrets.

Estate sales can be held for any number of reasons, including death, downsizing, or moving, but they always mean great deals. Usually, a liquidation firm purchase the entire estate at a deep discount, and then sells it off piecemeal for more than they paid, but far less than market value of the individual good. (more…)

credit: denn

When you’re trying to save money, it’s easy enough to stop going out to dinner or cut back on a vacation - but going to the supermarket is something that you can’t avoid. But here are some tips on keeping your supermarket bills lower:

• Go to the supermarket less. It’s an obvious tip, but we sometimes get caught up in rushing into the supermarket on the way home from work to grab something for dinner. Make a list, plan ahead, and try to get it down to a weekly shop - perhaps with a smaller trip mid-week for fresh fruit, vegetables and bread.
• Stick to your list. Don’t buy anything that’s not on your list, unless they’re staple items at a bargain price. Eating before you go to the supermarket also helps you stick to the list and avoid impulse buys because you’re stomach’s rumbling.
• Don’t be a brand snob - basic brands or supermarket own-brands are always cheaper but not always lower quality. Plenty of studies have shown that nobody can tell the difference. The packaging may not be so pretty, but it’s how it tastes that counts.
• Know the supermarket’s tricks. Remember that they are trying to make you buy more - that’s why they put all the candies and magazines near the checkout, so you’ll see them while you wait. They also put milk, bread and other staple items in far away spots so you’ll have to walk through the whole store. And sometimes the “specials” at the end of the aisles are not specials - check the prices to be sure you’re actually getting a bargain.