Do you make a list and check it twice or, maybe three times, when you shop … whether it’s for the grocery store—kid’s clothing—yourself—or gifts?

I hope so. When you have a list, you typically spend less … that is, if you stick to it.

You can use your list to help you design a budget for your holiday spending. If the word budget annoys you, just think of it as a spending list. Kind of like your grocery list. Or you might begin your list with how much you can afford to spend on each person.

In my family, we told Mother what we wanted—it didn’t mean we would get it, though! One of my friends shared that over Thanksgiving, everyone would share their “wish lists.” Then each member would draw a name from a bowl … and that was the only person they would get a gift for.

It may be wise to go together with other members of your family and each of you donate so much money to pay for a special gift. For years, my sister and I jointly have bought special things for our brother and sister-in-law.

There is the Giving Season that November and December bring; then there are the birthday months; and of course, every day needs … like groceries. Be smart here—having a list ahead of time will save you money.

Patricia Lane Williams, CPA has worked with thousands of men and women sounding the warnings. She is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Money: Get It. Save It. Grow It … Before Debt Steals It. It’s her first book in the Four Corners Prosperity series. Her website is www.PatWilliamsAuthor.com.