Planning is everything when it comes to having a calm and healthy holiday season. We are going to share a few helpful things we can do to assist us map out our strategy to stay in budget and get our tasks done smoothly.

People who don’t map out their tasks ahead of time are usually the ones that find the holidays stressful. The best way to get a handle on things?  Create checklists – one for gifts (what to buy and for whom), one for the holiday meal (the menu , the groceries you will need), and the one for household preparation (what needs to be done before your guests arrive).

The first thing on your list should be your budget. How much can you really spend on gifts, food, and getting your home holiday ready? With your checklists in hand you can begin your shopping.

Shop smart: Compare prices before you go. Check out shopping sites like shoplocal.com, krillion.com, thefind.com and milo.com to see how much items are selling for in your area. It will save you time, money and gas running from store to store.

Shop at the right time: The mall is most peaceful on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when foot traffic is just 12% of weekly traffic, according to data from GGP, a mall management firm that operates malls in 41 states. Fewer crowds mean you can get in and out quicker without stress.

Map out your shopping: Plan a circular route of the stores you want to visit so that when you are finished you end where you car is parked. Don’t waste your time zigzagging through the mall.

Spend less using cash. Most people are simply willing to spend more when they use a credit card  then when they use cash. The holiday spending will be less when you are pealing off the cash to make that purchase, it is much more real when you are handing over your hard earned money vs. a plastic card. Cash makes it easier to stay on budget. Draw the amount of cash you have designated for the things you need to buy that day and when the cash runs, out go home.

Cash helps the local merchants and their suppliers and are keeping fellow citizens working. On the contrary with credit cards , the interest and other fees are helping finance bank executives, their marketing teams and call centers overseas. One of Black pages main focus, is on helping in our own neighborhoods and sustaining Black Business.

Most important of all, the holiday season is about love and sharing time with our loved ones. The economy is a challenge and so we do not want to burden ourselves with unnecessary debt and stress. We  want to focus on our families and communities. Keep in mind, the basic things in life are still free.

Enjoy the holiday season and remember, living below our means is a sure way to keep stress and debt away from our doors now and in the next prosperous year of 2013!!!!! Be well Be Prosperous!!!