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With the holiday season in full swing, has five tips for saving money during the holidays.

1. Make a budget
Decide how much you want to spend and give yourself a limit. Knowing exactly how much you plan to spend will prevent any surprises when you check your bank or credit statement. 

2. Pay cash
If you're worried about overspending, use cash for the gifts on your list. Keep in a special envelope, separate from your other everyday money. When it's gone, it's gone--no more shopping.

3. Secret Santa
Instead of buying gifts for all your friends and family members, suggest drawing names and focusing your gift-giving efforts on just one or two people by being their "Secret Santa." Many people are pinching their pennies these days and will probably heartily agree to this idea.

4. Potluck party
This is the time of year where holiday party invites are many. Instead of going to a fancy club or restaurant, trying hosting a holiday potluck in your home. Everyone brings a dish and/or drink and shares in the food and fun. Enlist a couple of people to bring a few board games and you've got yourself a fun, frugal holiday party.

5. Future spending
If you're finding yourself a little stressed because you've accidentally overspent, start preparing for next year. Add up how much you spent on the holidays this year and then set a goal to save up that much money over the next year to have it ready for the next holiday season. For example, if you've spend $300 on gifts this year, set a goal to save $25 a month in a savings account starting in January. By the time December rolls around again, you'll have $300 set aside in your savings account ready to be spent--stress-free.

For more information on money and budgeting, including financial tools and resources especially for college students, visit , or schedule an appointment with Niomi Williams, CU-Boulder's financial literacy educator (303-492-0726).