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Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you find some helpful hints for organizing your time and space. My passions are to help you make home a refuge instead of a crisis center, and to help you function in peace rather than chaos - at home or at work. I have switched my main blog to 1-2-3 ... Get Organized on WordPress, so please visit me there.



Thursday, December 9, 2010

Organizing Your Christmas Spending

        
It's so easy to overspend at Christmas! Here's a method I use to avoid that problem.

First, I determine those for whom I'll purchase several gifts. I start with a single sheet of paper. I write each person's name on a different section of the paper, leaving enough room below the name to list expenditures. 

When I purchase something for one of the people on my  list, I write down the amount, and the item and/or the store where I purchased it. Not only does it help me keep track of expenditures, but the items purchased so I can make sure I've put everything on my list. 

Some people recommend keeping a notebook from year to year to track gifts and expenditures. Frankly, my life isn't that complicated. And I like being able to fold up my paper and slip it into my wallet, so it's with me all the time.

You can also list on your paper others for whom you need to shop, and your budget for each person. Everything is on one sheet of paper and you're more likely to live in reality when you write it down.

You can also track your purchases on your phone and eliminate the piece of paper.

More on shopping:

Organize Your Christmas Shopping with New Gifts HD iPad App

Reduce Christmas Stress by Organizing Now, Part 3 - Smart Gift Giving

10 Ways to Streamline Your Shopping Time