| Maybe you've just finished your exams. Maybe | | | | pedicure, or giving lessons on how to play bridge |
| you're still writing final papers. The last thing on | | | | could be a great gift. If you know that you will |
| your mind has been the holidays, but now that | | | | have money after Christmas, you can also |
| they're almost here, what are you going to do? | | | | consider giving coupons for gifts that will cost you |
| How are you going pay for the gifts that you | | | | money, such as a night at the movies, or a nice |
| need to buy? | | | | dinner. |
| Budget | | | | Work for the holidays |
| Although it might already be too late for this, at | | | | As a student, you are probably lucky to have one |
| least now is the time to make a mental note for | | | | or two weeks off during the holidays. If you |
| next year to budget extra money for gifts in | | | | work for one or two days of the holidays, even, |
| December. It's the same thing as budgeting the | | | | then you will earn enough money to buy the gifts |
| extra money you need for books each January | | | | that you need to buy. Be sure to give yourself |
| and each September. It's better not to be caught | | | | some break, though. You have worked hard |
| off guard by these things! | | | | enough all semester and you deserve it. |
| Use your credit card wisely | | | | Be charitable |
| It is not smart to put hundreds of dollars of | | | | Instead of exchanging gifts with some of your |
| Christmas gifts on your credit card. If you are not | | | | friends, consider doing charitable donations. You |
| going to be able to pay back your credit card, | | | | can each pick a charity, and then each donate a |
| then don't use it. It is smarter to get another, | | | | set amount of money to the other person's |
| separate loan, or to call your bank to lower your | | | | charity. Be sure to send a nice card that says you |
| student loan payment for this month than to put | | | | made a donation in their name. |
| it on your credit card which could have an interest | | | | You could also decide to give each other canned |
| rate as high as 20%! | | | | goods for the local foodbank. Buying 6 or 7 dollars |
| Organize the gift exchange | | | | of canned goods might not be a lot of money, |
| Instead of giving presents to everyone of your | | | | but it will be a great help for those people who |
| friends, organize a few gift exchanges: maybe | | | | need it. You'll feel good, you'll save yourself |
| your residence floor, your sorority sisters, or your | | | | money, and you and your friends and family will |
| biochemistry friends will want to do an exchange. | | | | have done a good deed. |
| You can set a price limit for each exchange too, | | | | Remember |
| like $5 or $10. | | | | The key to surviving Christmas is to be honest. If |
| Homemade gifts | | | | you have friends who aren't in school and who |
| The best gifts are homemade gifts. You might | | | | have lots of spending money, the best thing is to |
| want to make your gift exchange a homemade | | | | explain to them that money is tight this year. |
| gift exchange! If you are short on time right now, | | | | Sometimes they forget or don't know how much |
| but you know that you will have time later, you | | | | being a student costs. Once you remind your |
| can always give some coupons for Christmas. Be | | | | family and friends of your budget, they will be |
| sure that you remember to honor them, though! | | | | more than willing to participate in some of these |
| Think of your talents: making someone a | | | | fun and money-saving holiday suggestions. |
| home-cooked meal, giving a personal manicure or | | | | |