Where can I find the most inexpensive toys this Christmas?

One thing is for sure: all the stores have their toys on sale these days. There are various online services that can help you to find the best prices on the toys that you are looking for. I frequently use Pricegrabber.com or Shopzilla.com.

Do you have any ideas for tree decorations that I would be able to do with my children? Obviously, something that doesn’t cost a lot, and that is fun.

Doing your own ornaments is a lot of fun and entertaining for your children. Besides, it promotes the creativity in your children. Here are several resources:
Homemade Ornaments
Ornaments for the Tree
More Ideas

What kind of food can I prepare in order to spend the minimum possible in my Christmas parties?

I have discovered that I save significantly when I prepare all that I can myself. It is a fact that the cost of the ingredients is cheaper that the cost of buying a finished dish. With a little organization and preparation beforehand you can prepare a delicious Christmas supper that will not cost you a lot. Another way of saving is allowing your guests to contribute to the menu. Most of the time, the guests offer to bring a dish with them. Prepare your menu ahead and when someone offers to help you, don’t feel embarrassed about asking them to bring a simple dish. You will save not only money but also time in the kitchen.

It is worth to go from store to store searching for better prices? Or it is better to buy all of it at the same place?

I believe that walking from store to store is only worth it when you have the time and the resources to do it. Unless you live in a small city, you may end up spending more in gas that what you can save by buying in several stores. A resource that you can take advantage of is Walmart’s Price Matching policy. Walmart honors the price offered by their competitors on identical items if you bring with you the competitor sales ad. That way, instead of buying an item in store X and another in store Y, bring with you the sales ads of those stores to your Walmart, and pay the sale price offered by them at Walmart.

Hello! Would it be convenient to buy the Three Kings gifts with current sales offerings or if is better to wait after the Christmas and New Year holidays? It is possible that the prices will be reduced even more?

It’s possible that they come up with more discount offers after Christmas time. But also, there’s the possibility for the prices to be the same or return to their regular price. If you find some of your gifts at a very good discount now, buy them, that way you avoid missing that good offer. And after Christmas is gone, invest your time searching again for good discounts on the gifts that you still need to buy.

Stress always gets to me around the holidays. What are some inexpensive ways you have found to beat the stress of the holidays? You rock Mercedes!

Around these festive days it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the shopping that we often think we need to do. One thing I do to decompress is to practice shopping breaks. Just take one or two days to do zero shopping. Don't even think about shopping. I promise that the next time you hit the stores you will have renewed energy. Another way I destress is by drinking a good cup of tea and listening to some holiday music on the radio.

How much should I spend on each gift for my family members?

I believe that what’s important is not to know how much you should spend but how much you can spend. It is important to sit down and create a budget to determine how much money is available to spend in gifts for our love ones. Once you determine how much you can spend, do a list of the people that you would like to give gifts. For an initial estimate you can divide the total money available by the number of gifts that you would like to buy. You can use that figure as a good estimate of how much you can spend per person.

We like to give our children gifts for Christmas and for Three Kings but this year we can only afford one of those occasions. Which one should we skip? Thanks.

Many families are going through the same dilemma. It is important to evaluate which day you believe is the most important day for your children and try to make that day a very special day. Another way to help the situation is promoting in your children the desire of giving. It changes the rhythm of the holidays and promotes the desire of giving instead of receiving. Maybe for Three Kings Day they could be able to find an opportunity to make that day a special day for others: visiting an elders nursery, a children’s hospital, etc.

I have seven nieces and nephews for whom I have to buy Christmas gifts. My budget is $150, what do you suggest? Where I can find the “coolest” toys?

What a coincidence! I have also seven nieces and nephews. Walmart has several gifts suggestions that cost less than $20. Besides, as unbelievable as it may sound, you can find discount coupons for toys during the holidays. Check the website www.coupons.com and there you can find coupons for several brands of toys. You can also find coupons on the toys’ packaging. Don’t forget to check on that while you’re making your purchases.

I’m going to host a Christmas Eve dinner at my house, but I do not want to spend too much money. Last year I prepared the supper; we had wine and even little gifts for the children. In which items can I save this year, without taking away from the festivity, nor looking bad to my guests?

A good way to save when you are the host of the party is preparing most of the plates at home instead of buying them already made. This is a good moment to investigate the promotional offers that your supermarket or grocery store has. Try using coupons to save more in your purchases. Don’t be shy and ask your guests to help out. Assign them simple dishes: aperitifs or a punch. For the children, you can assign them simple handicrafts that they can do themselves, and serve as a little gift for them.

Can I find cheaper gifts closest to Christmas Day? When stores prices are lowered?

Although many stores have very good offers as the Christmas season is nearing, I believe that is better to start buying your gifts early. That way you avoid buying gifts at the very last moment and seeing yourself forced to pay full price because you missed the best offer expecting a greater discount that may never come.

I made purchases during the Black Friday, and I almost ran out of money for Three Kings Day, how can I prepare?

What is important is that you have almost a month to prepare for Kings Day. I suggest that you evaluate the number of gifts that you would like to buy and perhaps find some that you would be able to eliminate. Also you can consider making some of the gifts yourself. Finally, you can take advantage of after-Christmas discounts to buy your gifts at a reduced price and spend less.

I am thinking about having a “Posada” at my house this year with my family and friends but I do not want to spend a lot. What I can serve that it is tasty, looks great and don’t cost a lot?

You can find delicious and economic recipes for your “Posada” in this very same site online at ahorrasmasvivemejor. Don’t forget to look for discount sales and coupons to maximize your budget. Keeping your menu simple will save you money and time.

Mercedes, do you believe that I can really save money if I buy all my gifts early without waiting to the very last minute? Is there really a difference on what you save that way?

Buying your gifts beforehand saves you money because you have the opportunity of comparing prices in several stores and making sure that you truly are paying as little as possible. Besides, you take advantage of clearance discounts, so that way you can find several of your gifts at good discount. Finally, you save money because you avoid the pressure of shopping at the last minute and even finding yourself paying more that you’re supposed to pay. If you are able, start buying your gifts beforehand and take advantage of the discounts that you will find.

Hello, with how much anticipation I should buy the toys for Christmas? It is cheaper to wait for the end of the season?

The best way to save in your Christmas gifts is buying them through the year. That way you can take advantage of great discount offers up to 90%. Just make sure to write a list of all the gifts that you had already bought to avoid duplicating gifts for the same person.

I am a newlywed and I need it all for this Christmas season. Where can I find items to decorate the house (inside and outside) that do not cost so much money?

First of all, do not feel pressured to decorate your house from head to toe at once. Get an idea of the areas that you really would like to have decorated this year. Start your search for decorations in stores of used items or consignment sales. Also, don’t be shy and ask your relatives to help you. Most of us have a good stock of decorations that we like to vary from one year to the next. Maybe you can find someone willing to help you decorate your house with his or her decorations.