I’ve been reading a lotabout budgeting and savings. I want to be prepared for this holiday season so I’m thinking about it now. Last year I was so ill prepared that i had as many half made craft projects lying around as I do pairs of flip flops. Those of you who know me certainly know that I have a strange love affair with flip flops so that should tell ya something!

First off I will be putting $84 away per month. By the time it’s shopping time this should leave me with a pretty good chunk of change This will help me to get those odds and ends that I am going to add to my handmade gifts.

I am also starting early with my crafting. While it may look like the best craft sales are around holiday season it’s not the case. Craft chain stores KNOW that people procrastinate and they also KNOW that most crafters will purchase those forgotten items they desperately need no matter what the cost.

Closer to the holidays I am going to make my menus. This will be the first full holiday season I will spend with my family in 2 years. If all goes well (meaning my mother lets me do ANY cooking!) I will have the menu planned and can start shopping the sales as they hit.

I think I have a pretty good start. What do you think?

On a side note I am combining Thrifty Thursday and Savings Sunday. I’ll keep the posting to a Sunday since that’s when the majority of the ads come out.

My question to you is What are your pre holiday planning and savings tips?