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