It seems as if obnoxious department store displays of Christmas decorations are put out earlier each year. Whereas in years past it was unusual to see animatronic fir trees singing “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” before Thanksgiving, now it’s not unusual to start seeing Santa in the middle of summer. I used to find this annoying, but this year I see it as a wake-up call. If stores plan for the holidays this far in advance, why can’t we? By waiting till the last minute you set yourself up for undue stress, so I suggest planning ahead to take advantage of deals. From presents for your friends and family to special meals you plan to cook, setting up a game plan can help you save money and sanity as December approaches. Make a list of items you’re sure you’ll need. Include a few present ideas for each of your special somebodies, and ingredients for special holiday delectables (spices like cloves and cinnamon are expensive without a sale, but I’ll spit out anything that doesn’t have them). This little bit of prior planning will give you extra time to look for sales, coupons and Internet deals. You can make a considered decision before making a purchase, rather that grabbing marked up goods at the last minute. Making a list also allows you to make more informed decisions on purchases. In order to look for a sale on something, you have to know what the item is first. I’ve limited my list to gifts for family members. Friends will get stuff off heyitsfree.net. Amazon.com offers free shipping on certain items if you spend over $25, and sites like dealagg.com, dodtracker.com and woot.com list different deals every day. So check often to see if the item you’re looking for can be had at a fraction of the cost. With a little planning, this holiday season can be a thrifty one. -Cody