4-Week Holiday Savings Plan

Use these week-by-week ideas to minimize the damage to your bank account.

Four Weeks to Go: Make a Budget

Make a list: Group all of your gift recipients into tiers. “Tier one can be members of your family, tier two those who get a smaller gift, and tier three those who don’t have to get a gift,” recommends Ben Hecht of the nonprofit lifestyle and personal-finance site, thebeehive.org.

Set dollar limits: Designate an amount for each group (say, $20 for tier two), and tally them for your total budget.

Don’t forget nongift expenses: Entertaining or buying a new party outfit takes money, too. By tracking spending, you’re less likely to let expenses spiral out of control.