I want to write up a little bit about Swagbucks again today. I have been using them for almost 5 years now and they basically pay for 1/2 of my Christmas each year. I use them instead of Google when I am searching on the internet. Since I am on the internet a LOT, I win a lot of Swagbucks, that I then cash in for Amazon gift cards. I do this all year long and end up with about $300 to use at Christmas. Plus, they will give you 70 additional Swagbucks when you sign up and use coupon code MYLITTER70.

* The MYLITTER70 code is working again today!  See where it says “I have a signup code” that is where you enter the coupon code. 

I Christmas shop almost year round. If I find a KILLER deal on something that I just can’t pass up in June I will grab it and out it away for December. Starting about now, I really buckle down and start planning.

Last year we spent about $800 TOTAL on all 7 kids and the gifts my my husband and I gave each other. To me this doesn’t seem like very much for that amount of people. I also need to say that my kids got NICE gifts. I really hate cheap toys and toys that just take up space ( we don’t have much) so I prefer less toys and things and more quality.

Out of the $800, only about $350 was cash out of my pocket, the rest was from me cashing in Swagbucks as Amazon gift cards.

These are the things that I think about and pay attention to:

• Make a plan. Know what and how many gifts you are buying.
• Know who you are buying for.
• Start cashing in Swagbucks and other Rewards. (some take a long time to get)
• Set a budget and STICK to it.
• Find a safe place to store gifts where the kids don’t find them.

It is easy when you start far out like this to overbuy! That is why you have to be disciplined, have a list and a budget. In the frenzy of other shoppers in December, panic can set in that you need to keep buying although you have thought you were done. I have felt this way so many times and try really hard to avoid places where I feel like I need to keep buying.