The dawn of a new year says hello to many with a wallet short on funds after buying all those holiday gifts, unable to wear our “skinny jeans” after enjoying too many glasses of Aunt Edna’s eggnog, and day dreaming of how fast we can get that tax refund check. Have no fear, there is no reason to go it alone in 2012!

To help jump start or even start your 2012 resolution (mine is to write more posts), wouldn’t you help me out by casting your vote today? View This Poll

Today is, Free Shipping Day 2010, a one day free shopping event that offers shopper’s the chance to surf the web for gifts galore. With over 1,000 participating merchants, they are offering free shipping and delivery by Christmas Eve in the continental US.  You can find major retailers including Macy’s, Apple Store, Dell Computers, Neiman Marcus, and Lord and Taylor. You will find specialty stores as Sephora, Brookstone, Build-A-Bear and even Whole Foods Market.

Visit the Free Shipping Day 2010 website any time after 12:00 am EST on Friday, December 17, 2010, to view the details for each participating stores “free shipping offer.”  Some retailers post their free shipping offers directly on their sites. Some retailers require you to first visit on www.freeshippingday.com and click through their link to activate the promotion.  Some of the free shipping offers may include minimum purchase requirements or using a special offer or promotion code during the checkout process. For example, Whole Foods Markets is offering free shipping on all their gift boxes, including my favorite the “You Rock O’Box of Choc.” A perfect clutter free gift for the chocolate lover on your list.

So if you find yourself shopping at a favorite online store or discovering a brand-new to you option, be use FREE SHIPPING DAY 2010 to save a few dollars on your gift giving purchases.

Wishes for Happy Holidays & Save Saving Tips from the PiggyBankPixie.

Over the last few days we have been tackling the dreaded holiday budget topic. So far we have talked about gift giving and decor but now it’s time to talk food. With so many additional expenses of the holiday season splurges on grocery and holiday dining can make your feel like it’s a feast or a famine!

Amp up Your Grocery Budget: Lush holiday spreads and a few extra mouths to feed will quickly ruin your weekly grocery food bill. The holiday season’s focus on food makes blowing through your food budget in a hurry.  The goal should be to limit grocery shopping trips to one per week. Buying warehouse size food supplies and clipping coupons are tempting options for many shoppers. Proceed with caution, these jumbo size options are only a bargain if you use the entire package before the expiration date. Avoid temptations by first making a shopping list, and then clip the coupons only for the items you listed for purchase. Do you need grocery coupons but are in a hurry? Resources like coupon.com and redplum.com, and even your local grocer’s website to print coupons right at your computer or to web-enabled mobile device. Do you already own reusable grocery bags or totes? Use them for more than just your holiday food shopping for an eco-friendly shopping option.

Power Snacking: Take snacking inspiration from performance athletes who must stay well feed and hydrated to function at their peak, by carrying along a refillable water to help keep you well hydratecd throughout the day. Stash a few portable snacks such a low-fat granola and dried fruit snacks in your handbag or car truck to keep your energy levels boosted. Having a few snacks on hand you can stave off those last minute, wallet and waistline busting, trips through your local shopping mall food court.

Pick the Right Bird: Or should I say birds? Until now, we have focused much of money & time on the December holidays making it easy for us to fall into a tryptophan-like food dream when buying a Thanksgiving day bird. If you have pressing turkey related questions including “How big a bird to buy?” or “How long does it take to cook?” The turkey experts at Butterball offer their “Plan Perfect Portions” and “How Long to Thaw” calculators to solve your buying, defrosting, and cooking worries . With easy questions they will guide you to the perfect size bird this holiday season.

Everyday Eats: Get unstuck from your weekly food rut or find inspiration for your upcoming holiday meals with these options. Clutter, cutting tip: Rather than swapping holiday gifts, ask your favorite cook for a copy of their favorite or secret recipes.

• Kid-friendly options: Allrecipes.com offers kid-friendly options like kid pleasing pizza varieties, maple hot chocolate, or mini pumpkin whoopie pies. Who couldn’t resist their more a dozen mac ‘n cheese options?
• Fit For the Foodie: Visit the epicurious.com holiday section to find celebrity chef inspired dishes like Jacques Pépin’s duck paté or Thomas Keller’s chocolate mousse. These restaurant-worthy meals will knock off your socks. Need to brush up on your cooking skills? Then check out their video tutorial on just everything like creating homemade whipping cream. For the tech savvy, foodie they now offer a recipe and shopping list app.
• Fast ‘n Easy: Check out Rachel Ray’s Everyday weekly food planner offering an entire week’s worth of meals prepared in a jiffy or check out Claire Robinson’s 5 Ingredient Fix options.

May your holidays be merry and on budget!

Have you ever been awed by the twinkling lights, life-sized inflatable snow globe, or holiday themed plastic storage bins gracing the shelves of your local retailer? Not to worry I am here to help you enjoy holiday season and help you avoid the holiday budget bust!  Yesterday I talked about starting a holiday budget with a focus on the gift giving.  Today I want to focus on another topic frequent holiday budget buster, seasonal decor. Items like lights, wreaths, Christmas trees, menorah and candles can put a dent in your wallet too.

Holiday Lighting: Are new lights in your budget? The knowledgeable folks over at Better Homes & Garden suggest about 100 lights per foot of holiday tree light. Assume a single 100 light strand costs approximately $10, you’ll shell out $70 just to light up your seven-foot blue spruce beauty in the living room. Cutting back on a few tree inches or even on a few strands can help you save the hassle of dressing your tree but also on your next electric bill. Also, ask your local home improvement warehouse store, local hardware or local electric utility company if they will be offering a LED light exchange program for 2010. At these exchanges you can swap out your old energy hog lights for a more ecofriendly and economical option.  Are you dying to try a different color this year or want to have the sleek all-white light edition? Rather than piling boxes of new lights into your shopping cart, plan a light strand swap with a friend, family member or neighbor.

If you just can’t part with your Clark Grizwald of Christmas Vacation inspired 100,000 light exterior lighting extravaganza want to really sparkle, consider utilizing an outdoor power strip with timer that will turn off lights even if you forget.

Live (or shall I say formerly live) Seasonal Decor: As you calculate your holiday budget add the cost of wreaths, trees or garlands you plan to purchase. Choose carefully and thoughtfully this year. Consider focusing on one particular holiday item such as a great tree rather than attempting to cover each wall, door, or surface of your home and exterior. Seek out local charities and service organizations that sell holiday greenery while supporting a cause.

Candles: If the twinkle of soft candle light dances through your head consider purchasing white or off-white flame-less candle options. Available in a variety of sizes they reduce fire hazards around brittle holiday greenery and you can display them throughout the year. Yes, I love multi season/purpose options like this!

May your holiday season be merry & on budget!