Budgeting for Christmas and the Holidays

With Black Friday right around the corner, it's time to start planning for holiday spending if you haven't already. A lot of people will spend hundreds of dollars or more on holiday gifts, and if you buy some new outfits for the parties plus food, drinks and decorations, you're looking at a major expense.

Here's the good news: you can reduce your spending for Christmas with a budget that you set up easily with personal financial software.  4 Steps to Setting Up a Christmas Budget tells you how it's done. So, start now to be prepared next year, and don't forget to read the money saving tips in that article.

• How to Budget for Thanksgiving
• The Best Free Budget Spreadsheets