As the holidays approach, the shopping season is also just a few short weeks away. If you’re gearing up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, make sure you create a realistic budget for gift-giving first. Think twice about your spending habits and plan your shopping, then do your best to stick to the plan. Much of the stress that comes with holidays is knowing that after the New Year, you’ll be hit with credit card bills for your generosity. With some planning, some online scouting as well as in-store research, you might be able to save yourself some money and some regret. While you are planning, don’t forget to schedule necessary appointments to occur before your busy times, if possible.

Time to Be Frugal

Your family and friends won’t ditch you if you happen to be a bit thriftier this holiday season. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t pay to fret over the bills coming due in 2015. Make a list based on a realistic budget. Figure out who can be dropped off the gift list, and see if you can cut back on the expense for the people who remain on it. If you start early, the best way to save may be to plan ahead, do some research. This is often a much more effective way to save than rushing to grab every holiday deal. While it feels great to say you got a coveted item for half off, the time and stress it took to nab that deal may not be worth it.

Resist the Temptation

Impulse buying can be a budget killer. And the holiday season is an attractive time to window shop. If you’re one of those people who simply loves the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, think about your spending habits before you head out to the department store. If you’re likely to buy on a whim, try your best to avoid the stores this holiday season. Shop early and resist the temptation. Try online comparison-shopping too. If you know you’re not able to control your credit card spending, leave the plastic at home. Shopping on the fly is often where people go astray and blow the budget. Even if the sales are good, it doesn’t matter if you buy more than you planned.

Finding Deals Online & In-Store

Popular sites like RetailMeNot.com, DealCatcher.com, Coupons.com and a number of other sites list online cash back savings and coupon codes for some of the most popular stores and online merchants. Many of the well-known department and big box stores offer gift cards if you buy a certain amount. But don’t try to hit that amount simply to get the free gift cards.

Only buy what you need and stick to your holiday gift-giving list. Scope out the holiday sales flyers early and plan your spending strategy. Most of the big retailers put their Black Friday sales flyers on their websites a week or more before the day. You can also check out most of the top stores and their sales fliers online in one place at BlackFriday.com.

Take a Break

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be a mad dash adventure into a crowded department store. Yes, there are deals to be had on Black Friday, but you shouldn’t run out if you haven’t made a plan first. Take a little inventory of what you have, in terms of decorations and gifts you might’ve purchased off-season and forgotten about. Some people fear running out of things — like ornament hooks in the middle of tree trimming. So they buy a new set every year and end up with two dozen unopened packs.

While you’re out shopping, take a breather. Get off your feet and have a cup of coffee. That bit of rest might save you from achy legs, but it also gives you time to reflect on what you’ve spent and what you still need. Otherwise you may end up spending much more than you normally would. Tally up what you’ve spent so you don’t get a nasty shock later. When you finish with a gift list, keep it tucked away. That way you won’t forget the package you already bought Aunt Freida and run out to buy another one.