Is Your Holiday Spending Spiraling Out of Control?

At this time of year, I hear many of my friends and family complaining about how much money they are spending on decorations and gifts for the holiday season. Are you in the same boat? Is your holiday spending getting a little bit out of control? I read that the average American family spends between $1,000.00 - $4,000.00 during Christmas. That just seems like too much to me!

This year I wanted to find out how to save money during the holidays so that my own family doesn't go into debt over buying presents and putting up a tree. The number one thing that I am doing differently this year is shopping early, so that I am not paying for overnight shipping! Last year, I procrastinated to the point where every gift I purchased for family out of state had to be shipped overnight. It cost us a fortune!

This year, I am making a lot of homemade gifts. From cookies to dolls, I have found a long list of great ideas online to make gifts for many of the people on my list. Don't forget that people love food! You wouldn't believe the reaction I've gotten to a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies! I have set aside time to actually complete these tasks and I hope that people appreciate the effort.

Are any of you sending out homemade gifts this year, too? What ideas have you come up with to save money this holiday season? Post a comment to let us know!

And don't forget that PhoneHog is another way you can save lots of money during the holidays while you keep in touch with family and friends. Sign up today!

Keeping In Touch With Family During The Holidays

With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve right around the corner, you should be thinking about keeping in touch with family during these holidays. Many of us neglect our families all year because, of course, we are all very busy.

When is the last time you called your parents just to chat and tell them you love them? Do you even know what your siblings or cousins are up to lately? It is easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives and forget what is important. That is why I love the holidays. It is a chance for everyone to get together, catch up on what is going on, and to just spend quality time being with each other. The great meals and presents are just a bonus!The end of the year flies by so fast. Don't let these next couple of months pass you by without showing your family and friends how much you really care. Pick up the phone and call them! And when you are writing out your Christmas cards this year - try to be sincere. The task can seem daunting to write so many personal notes, but the people you send them to will notice that you took the time to write something special that lets them know you really do care.

Don't forget that you can sign up with PhoneHog to earn free long distance minutes. If your friends and family don't live close-by, let PhoneHog pay for your phone calls. It only takes a minute to sign up and you can start earning free calls right away. Happy Holidays!