‘Tis the Season: Tips for Sticking to Your Holiday Budget

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 11, 2026

By J’ne Baker/branch sales manager at Arvest Bank, Nixa

Thanksgiving and Christmas may seem far away, but the holiday season is officially here, which means it’s also time for some holiday shopping. Setting a budget for the season can help keep spirits bright and alleviate financial stress as you wrap up the year. No matter what plans you have for the holidays, here are five tips to help you avoid overspending this season by sticking to your budget.

Create a Budget Per Person

While creating an overall budget for gifts, plan out who you want to buy gifts for and set a budget for each person. For example, you might get your parents a large, joint gift and buy separate, smaller gifts for siblings, friends or extended family. Communicate with loved ones to set guidelines for gift giving, like only buying gifts for kids or staying within a certain price range.

Start Shopping Early to Find Deals

With shipping delays, rising costs and other issues, there’s no time like the present to start buying holiday gifts. Some retail companies offer premium subscriptions that give you access to fast, free shipping along with special deals and early access to sales. Many retailers also offer sales leading up to Black Friday and the holidays, so keep an eye out for and take advantage of those sales.

Compare Prices Before Making a Final Purchase

Shopping for gifts early gives you time to compare prices before making your final purchases. Many online retailers have price comparison apps to help you find the best deals, and Google also allows you to track the price of items over time. If you’re buying items in a store instead of online, don’t be afraid to ask for a price match.

Keep an Eye on Your Credit Card Spending

If you’re using a credit card along with money from your checking or savings account, don’t forget to include it as part of your spending budget. You may want to use a separate credit card outside of your normal one and set an alert to notify you when you hit a certain balance. Consider budgeting to pay off your credit card balance so you avoid paying interest, and make payments on time to avoid late fees and keep any introductory rates you received.

Stay Alert for Fraud

Avoid fraud by monitoring your purchases frequently, only using secure websites when shopping online and setting up alerts so you know when purchases are made using your credit or debit card. Many financial institutions offer fraud protection programs, and Arvest offers ID Protect with certain account types for an added layer of protection. You may also want to consider paying with a digital wallet, which encrypts your debit card information to keep it secure, or using a credit card instead of your debit card to protect your bank accounts during holiday shopping.

Bonus Tip: Take a Break if You Start Browsing for Yourself

When looking for deals, it may be easy to spot items you want for yourself, but remember to stick to your list. If you feel tempted to add something for yourself to your cart, take a break from shopping, whether it’s stepping out of the store, setting your phone or tablet down or closing your laptop.

As you handle shopping for the holidays this year, remember that it’s never too early to start planning for next year. Consider setting up an automatic, recurring transfer from your checking account to a savings account to help you start saving for 2027. Whether you have three people to buy for or thirty, sticking to these tips can help you stay within your budget, keep your holiday shopping on track and protect your bank accounts.

J’ne Baker is a branch sales manager, NMLS #2015953, for Arvest Bank in Nixa. She can be reached at jbaker2@arvest.com.