Seven tips to curb holiday spending

1. Make a plan, a budget and a shopping list and stick to it.

"You've got to have a plan, because, I promise you, the malls have a plan," said radio talk show host Dave Ramsey.

2. Put the budgeted amount of cash in an envelope for each person you're buying for. Stop shopping when the envelope is empty.

3. Be creative.

Give things you make instead of buying. Give the gift of time -- a coupon for a "date night" with your kids, or your spouse. Or promise to handle a chore for someone.

4. Get in and out of malls as quickly as possible.

"For me, going into a mall is like an alcoholic going into a bar," said Gunnar Johnson, a former prisoner of debt.

5. Don't buy for yourself, no matter how tempted you are. It's a surprisingly common source of Christmas overspending. "Seven out of 10 Americans that went shopping with a big heart last year ended up buying something for themselves," Ramsey said.

6. Start saving now for next Christmas.

"Christmas sneaks up on us, even though it's the same time every year," said Johnson. "I can tell you right now: In 2005, Christmas will occur in December."

7. Keep priorities straight.

Said Tonya Wright of Inspiring Temple of Praise Church in Fort Worth: "Think before you spend, don't spend what you don't have and focus on the true meaning of the holiday."

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