Amber Mohrmann
Staff Writer

Everyone loves the holidays, except for one little thing – they have to spend money. Between food, gifts, and other expenses, the happiest time of the year can turn into a nightmare for people on a budget. But is it really a nightmare? There are a few simple ways to avoid breaking your bank this holiday season, and they are sure to save you money!

The first thing to do is some online research. A lot of stores have email newsletters you can sign up for. These newsletters include dates of sales, coupons, and other specials in the store or online.

If you know someone who enjoys a good book, you can sign up for Borders rewards and you will receive coupons every couple days in your inbox for up to 50% off some items. Other stores like Bath and Body Works, American Eagle, and Aeropostale also offer these online coupons.

Paying attention to sales is another important thing to do during the holidays, but not every sale is as good as you think. Some stores hike up their prices and then conduct the sale which makes the deals look better than they actually are. Keeping up with what price ranges items are in will help with this problem.
Also pay attention to sale rotations. Many stores have a schedule they base their sales on, and if you stay ahead of that you will grab great prices at any store.

If you are a die-hard shopper, Black Friday may be your favorite day of the year. Prices are cut in almost every store you visit. This is the best day of the year to grab what you need for the holidays – especially Christmas presents.
If you are not a fan of crowds, you probably stay home this day and avoid the masses of crazy shoppers, but if you want to save money this is the best way to go.

The earlier you hit the stores, the better sales you are likely to receive. The pallets of items at Walmart are unwrapped at 4:30 a.m., and if you roll up to the parking lot at noon, you are likely to miss out on many of the good deals. Get up early this one day and save a lot of money, it helps out a lot in your budget.

The last tip to save money during the holidays is to not buy products at full price unless absolutely necessary. If an item goes on sale in a week, wait a week to buy it if you can. Even the smallest discounts can add up to savings in the end.
If you do not want to break your bank this holiday season, keep your eyes and ears open for sales and coupons. You will save more money than you think!