 TITLE: Best Ways to Prepare Your Finances for Holiday Spending CONTENT: Make a Shopping List (and Check It Twice)\n-----------------------------------------\nMaking a list can help you organize your holiday shopping—including who's getting gifts this year—and your holiday finances. Sure, you can go the paper-and-pen route to develop your list. But apps are available to offer some elf-like assistance. Among them are Gift List Diary, GiftPlanner, Giftster and Santa's Bag.\nHowever you decide to put together that list, figure out who the gift recipients will be and how much you feel comfortable spending on each person. You could set a $50 limit per relative and $25 limit per friend, for example.\nDevising this list can help you come up with an overall holiday budget, and sticking to the list can help you avoid overspending. In a 2019 Experian survey, 60% of Americans confessed spending too much during the holiday season.\nWhile striving to keep your budget in line, don't overlook folks who you'd feel bad leaving off your shopping list, including neighbors, co-workers and kids' teachers. But don't feel guilty if you need to spend less than you might have in previous years. A simple gesture such as a card with a small box of treats will still be appreciated. Or consider DIY gifts. A DIY item lends a personal touch and can save you money. It could be a tin of chocolate fudge, a homemade candle, a handcrafted necklace, a unique wooden toy or even a \"gift certificate\" for a home-cooked meal. Be creative and enjoy your role as Santa's \"cobbler.\" END