Blogger is giving me issues, so when it actually shows me the right screen it’s rejecting all my pictures.  Hopefully, things will be back up and running soon!

Can’t wait for my wordpress switch in a couple months!  Almost all saved up for the big move!  It should make everything easier for all of us!

Last week I wrote about ways to save money for Christmas.  This week I wanted to talk about ways to stretch that savings.  Be creative and think of ways to maximize the money you have already put away.

–Use cash and save all receipts:  Use cash whenever possible, so you can’t spend what you don’t have. Also, make sure you save all receipts for returns.

–Use collective buying sites: The number of collective buying sites has increased dramatically.  Use these bargain sites to purchase gifts from retailers or purchase the deal of the day to give as a gift. Periodically I link deals from Groupon, Eversave,  Living Social, and Pilot Daily Deal (in VA).  Consider signing up to have daily deals sent directly to your inbox.

-Use swagbucks: Use Swagbucks to purchase Amazon or other gift cards to buy gifts or to use as gifts.  If you shop using an Amazon gift card, watch for deals eligible for free super saver shipping and subscribe & save to further reduce your expense.

-Enter giveaways: I’ve entered several giveaways lately with the intention of using the prize as a gift or to purchase gifts if the prize was in the form of a gift card.  It only takes a few minutes to enter, but you could score some free gifts.

–Shop using Shop at Home or Ebates: Earn cash back for your online purchases.  This could add up to a big savings if you’re a frequent online shopper.

–Shop clearance, ebay, craigslist and thrift stores: Don’t limit yourself to particular stores.  Shop around for the best deal.

–Shop Early:  Start your holiday shopping early so you can watch sales.  Additionally, you’ll be less tempted to overspend if you’re not feeling pressured because Christmas is next week!

–Make your own gifts: A few gift ideas include homemade cookie jars, homemade coupons, photobooks or use freebies to make a gift basket.

What are your tips for saving money on Christmas gifts?

This post is linked to Life as Mom, Madame Deals, Mrs Moneysaver, and My Coupon Teacher

Beth with Two Money’s & a Washtub creates awesome Twitter Backgrounds.  My Twitter page was sad and the design had absolutely nothing to do with my site.  Well, look at it now!  See my cute Coupon Challenge logo?!    Click HERE to see it as a web page.

Working with Beth was easy! Contact her to get your own Twitter page design.  And since I’m all about deals, the first 10 designs requested will get a reduced rate of $15 (paid via PayPal)! You just have to mention that you are a Coupon Challenge Reader! If you are have a business or Etsy shop, I’m sure she would love to work out a trade depending on what you sell! You can check out her twitter design information page here or fill out the form here to get your Twitter Page designed now!

Welcome to the 11th Surfin’ Saturdays hosted by Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Two Monkeys & a Washtub, And Then There Were Four and  The Coupon Challenge! Each week we will be surfin’ a different social network. You will have to check back every Saturday to see where we will be! One week it may be a facebook hop and then the next an email hop! It will be lots of fun and you will get to meet new people and see old friends as well!

We kindly ask that you follow these simple requests

1. Follow the hostesses in the first four spots (We will follow you back! Just please leave a comment letting us know that you are following us!)
2. Please only link up the network that is being hopped that specific week.
3. No spam please. These will be removed. 
4. It would be wonderful if you are linking up this week if you could add our button to your sidebar or in a post to help spread the word! 🙂 The more people that join, the more fun it will be! (Plus if you add our button to your sidebar you can grab 5 extra entries into any ONE giveaway!)
5. If someone follows you please feel free to follow them back! If you follow me and leave a comment you are guaranteed a follow back!

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I know, I know.  You don’t want to admit that summer is over and Christmas is right around the corner.  I can’t believe it either.  I’m usually almost done with my shopping by September, and I’ve hardly started!

A few tips to get you Saving for Christmas:

-Start early: You should budget for Christmas throughout the year.  Christmas is not a surprise.  It happens every year, so start saving in January.  A small amount of our monthly budget is designated to holiday’s.

-Set up a holiday savings account: Keeping the money separate can help deter you from dipping into the Christmas cookie jar.  Consider setting up an automatic transfer, so you don’t get a chance to miss the money.  I have a excel spreadsheet with a breakdown of our savings account.  One of the categories is labeled “Holiday’s.”

-Sell Something:  We all have stuff we don’t need or want.  Have a yard sale or sell on ebay to get Christmas money.  A bulk of our Christmas money comes from our annual yard sale.  My kids are young, so they are constantly outgrowing something.

-Use “extra” money:  Designate mail-in rebates or extra money from cash envelopes for the holiday fund.  Did you come in under your grocery budget this month?  Do you have a change jar? Make an unexpected return? Put it away for Christmas.  I have a friend who pulls out all the extra money from her cash envelopes to put towards the holidays.

-Give up something: Try giving up something you regularly spend money on, temporarily.  Skip the morning latte, bring your lunch to work, don’t buy that cute sweater.  You can always add it back in after you meet your financial goals.  However, you might like how much money you can save by not buying the $5 Starbucks every morning.  🙂

-Set a budget and stick to it:  Setting a Christmas budget is crucial.  It is so easy to fall victim to the blinking lights and “must have” toy of the year.  Look at the money you’ve saved as a guide for your budget.  Did you save more than you need?  Great!  Put it way for a rainy day or vacation.  Looking a little low?  Tighten your budget to avoid pulling out the plastic.

-Make a list: Make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for. Consider writing down a ballpark amount for each person to help keep you on track.  Also, talk with family about only buying for the kids.  Trust me, your siblings are probably looking to save money too.  While you’re at it, set a budget for each child/person. We have a $5 per child Christmas rule and $10 per child birthday rule.  That’s for my nephews, not my kids 🙂

What are your tips to save money for the holiday’s?

Look for part 2 next week: “Ways to Save on Christmas Gifts”

This post is linked to Life as Mom, Madame Deals, Mrs. Moneysaver, and My Coupon Teacher

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Each week we will randomly choose a Guest Host to Spotlight! The person must follow the rules to be choosen.  This week’s Spotlight is The Coupon Challenge. We asked her a few questions to get to know her better.

THIS WEEK WE ARE  FOLLOWING VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT.

The rules are super simple!

1. Follow the Thraveling Through Thursday Hosts (Listed as # 1-4) Living on Love and Cents, Mom On Dealz, Prenda Le Stelle, and  Clipping for Cash! (We WILL follow back but you must leave a comment so we know you followed us!)
2. Link up ONLY THE NETWORK being featured this week (your blog)-Others will be deleted.
3. Grab our Traveling Through button and include it somewhere on your blog! You can grab the linky code too!

Happy Traveling!