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2. PASS ON BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY CHALLENGE: There’s tremendous pressure to buy on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and it’s hard to resist. SOLUTION: Let those days go by. Think back

to the last Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Did you forget you were buying gifts and wind up with a pile of stuff for yourself that you couldn’t resist? Stick with your gift list or stay home

and read a book. True, with careful shopping you can get good deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which will fall on Nov. 25 and Nov. 28, respectively. And other stores are likely to run

related deals weeks beforehand. “There's a good chance we'll see retailers like Target offer competing discounts during the same time frame,” says Ramhold. “These events could

serve as an unofficial start to the Black Friday season.” But if your impulse shopping tends to get out of hand, remind yourself that great deals can be had all year round. Think Presidents

Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and, of course, Labor Day. Another example is Super Bowl Sunday. Rather than buying a TV on Cyber Monday, you could wait

until late January. TV prices tend to drop just before the big game. 3. HEAD TO DISCOUNTERS FOR DECORATIONS AND SMALL GIFTS CHALLENGE: You enjoy decorating, donating to schools and toy

drives, and giving small thank-you gifts to service providers. SOLUTION: Look to off-price retailers for these items; you don’t need brand names. Holiday tchotchkes, gift wrap, cards,

decorations, and party supplies of all kinds will be cheap at Dollar Tree, Dollar Store or Dollar General. Items from PaperSource or Hallmark will cost more. For small tokens for your hair

stylist, building superintendent or letter carrier, look to the Christmas Tree Shops, HomeGoods or a similar discounter in your area. 4. GIVE GIFTS YOU MAKE YOURSELF CHALLENGE: Gift shopping

— especially for friends and relatives you don’t see often — can be expensive and stressful. Yet giving gift cards seems impersonal. SOLUTION: Bake cookies or make jams, ornaments or other 

craft items to give as presents. People will appreciate the personal touch. If you have grandkids, involve them in the fun — you’ll set a good example while creating a precious memory. You

can also find items like jam jars, decorative bags, craft materials and other items at discounters like Dollar Tree. If you’re organized, you can make your gifts over one weekend and send

them off the next.