Giving gifts to the ones I love is one of my favorite things about the holiday season. However, as someone who sticks to a strict monthly budget, forking out additional money for gifts during December always makes me a bit anxious. It's hard enough deciding what to get everyone, but then trying to stay within my budget while doing it adds a whole other layer to the cake.

Below are a few tips I've been using this holiday season while shopping for gifts for others, which have helped me stay within my budget and less anxious about spending.

There’s no denying it: the season of giving is an emotional time. In fact, for most people, it’s probably the most emotional time of the year. And when kids are involved, those feelings tend to go into overdrive. Just about any expense can be rationalized because it’s being done in the spirit of creating an amazing holiday experience for the young ones.

With the holiday season right around the corner, you'll be asked to give more than ever.. giving to charity, giving of your time, giving gifts to love ones, etc.

As we transition from beaches and flip flops to pumpkin spice and falling leaves, it’s time to start planning for the winter holiday season. These plans may include a celebration, shared feasts, and gifts. Though the reason for celebrations varies, one thing that remains common is the cost. Here are a few planning tips that can help ensure the holidays don’t cause more debt than memories.

There's no better way to spend the holiday season than spending time with those you love, and there's no better way to enjoy each other's time than with a home-cooked meal. However, cooking at home can often add up if you're not prepared. Check out the BALANCE blog post below for six ways to save on homemade meals.

It's officially the most wonderful time of the year! However, as wonderful as the holiday season is, it can bring about many expenses that can cause you to bust your budget. If you need help saving on holiday gifts, travel, and meals, try my tips below:

In need of a Halloween Costume? Maybe you got invited to a Halloween party last minute? You've decided to test your luck and are hoping the neighbors don't think you're too old to trick-or-treat. Maybe you're like me and just waited until the last minute to grab a costume, and the store is entirely out. Either way, Halloween is here, and you have nothing to wear. Don't worry, I've put together a list of last-minute Halloween costumes made from things you probably already own.

If you are thinking about refinancing your mortgage, then you know that this is a great way to save money on your monthly payment, shorten the term of your loan, or tap into the equity of your home for a home improvement project. At the same time, refinancing is like taking out a new home loan. For this reason, you need to know what to expect. There are a few tips that you should follow to make it easier for you to refinance successfully.