School is back in session, and the holidays are just around the corner!

Thinking ahead and setting a budget now can help you save holiday funds not only for buying gifts, but also for hosting holiday dinners, decorating your home, and traveling out of town. It will also free up funds in the event you incur unexpected expenses.

Here are a few tips that may help to keep your spirits bright and bank account balanced this holiday season:

Make a List & Check It Twice

Staying on budget can be nice. But it also can be tricky! Create a list of everyone and everything you will be spending money on this holiday season. Account for gifts for family and friends, meals you’re hosting, travel expenses, fun events, and anything else you typically spend money on. Once your list is complete, break it down into spending categories (i.e. gifts, groceries, travel, etc.) and set a dollar amount to each item, person, or event. A lot of times a family will set spending limits on gifts. Add up the cost of each category and put a dollar amount to your total list. If your budget is outside of your spending ability, go back through and determine where you might be able to cut costs.

Start with a Savings Account

Don’t have one? NexTier Bank has great savings account options you can open online! Savings accounts are a great way to set money aside for the holidays! And with no debit card attached to the account, it makes it easier not to spend from that account. Simple ways to put money into a savings account include direct deposits made biweekly or monthly from your paycheck or automatic transfers from your checking account. NexTier Bank offers a Savings Club account that allows you to select a maturity date from 7 to 12 months from account opening. Because your funds cannot be transferred or withdrawn until the maturity date, every penny deposited will go directly towards your holiday budget.

Set Spending Limits on the NexTier Bank Mobile App

With the Spend Control feature on the NexTier Mobile App, you can set spending limits for general use or specify thresholds by merchant types, such as retail stores, travel, or grocery stores. By setting spend controls before you head out to shop it will help you stay on budget and avoid purchasing overpriced or unnecessary items. You can change these parameters anytime with ease using your mobile device. Download NexTier Mobile from the App Store or Google Play Store today!

Start Shopping Early

Even though Black Friday and Cyber Monday are considered the kickoff to the holiday season, and one of the biggest and best shopping days to get the most bang for your buck, you can still find great sales and deals when shopping early. Take advantage of Prime Days hosted by popular online retailers, along with Tax Free Weekends and Christmas in July sales. You might even be able to use a coupon or discount code, too!

Say No to Impulse Buying

Before you set out on your gift-giving journey, tell yourself you only have so much money to spend at each store. Retailers love the thought of impulse buys! They strategically place items near the store entrance and checkout lanes that tend to play on your emotions. Make a rule that you won’t make any additional purchases without giving yourself time to think it over. If you see a great sale on an item you weren’t planning to buy, leave the store and see if you’re still wanting the item a few hours later. By giving yourself time, you can avoid spending mistakes that lead to buyer’s remorse later on.

Use Credit Cards Only If You Have To

When making online purchases, it is best to use a credit card rather than your debit card. If a purchase is made on a spoofed website or a fraudster gets access to your credit card numbers, you are able to dispute the charges without losing any funds. To help you stay on budget and not have to pay interest on your credit card, be sure to pay the card in full when the statement arrives, or make an immediate payment on the card after the purchase is made.

Now that you are ready to start budgeting, and ultimately shopping, for the holidays, there’s no excuse to end up on Santa’s naughty list! Being proactive can make the holidays less stressful — there’s Noel time like the present.