It’s November! Thanksgiving and the holidays are right around the corner, and I feel like I’m just throwing away money. Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays. However, I find that they are expensive at best. Here are my 6 steps for saving maximum money.

1.      Set a budget for each person.

This step is the easiest. How much can you afford to spend on each person? Be realistic about what your finances are like, and if there is any kind of social pressure to spend more. 

2.      Start early! It’s less of a wallet hit to shell out a little every couple of months, than all at once at the end of the year.

When you see something cute in July, grab it then. It's easier to realize that you're halfway done with Christmas shopping before November hits than to have to scramble in the last few weeks before Christmas. It's November 12th and I am DONE Christmas shopping! It feels fantastic to know that the only other thing we need to buy is a tree. 

3.      What can you DIY?

This month, I'll be highlighting some of my favorite DIY gifting ideas. This is an easy way to add a personal touch, while still keeping things in budget. A lot of people would really just like to have a homebaked pumpkin pie for Christmas. 

4.   Stay within your budget, but put everything on a rewards credit card.

I am a huge fan of the rewards card. Obviously, don't overspend, but you might as well get a kickback for using the card! Our favorite is Delta Skymiles, because that's the most common airline where we live. If you'd like to know more about that, you can take a look here!

5.   Use a web app like Honey to check automatically for coupons when online shopping. Honey automatically scans for coupon codes any time that you're shopping online. It has saved me literally hundreds of dollars over the past few years, including some major savings on my shopping this year. It's a great find for the whole year!

6.      Use the store apps for additional sales.

My last step for major savings is to make sure I have the store's app or loyalty program. We're a big Target family, so Cartwheel is a must, but almost every store has some kind of rewards program now, and I am more than willing to take advantage. 

Those are my easy, non-crazy ways to get a little cash off here and there, and it adds up! I hope that this has helped you a little, and that you're coasting towards the holidays with a light heart.