Consumers Save Money on Holiday Gifts with Free Tips from CareOne Credit Counseling Agencies

Providers of CareOne Credit Counseling Services (www.CareOneCredit.com) have released a collection of free tips to help budget-conscious consumers save money this holiday season, and stay out of holiday debt, with low cost gift ideas.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) November 18, 2008 -- Holiday shopping has been known to wreak havoc on family budgets, with many consumers digging themselves further into debt when shopping for gifts. Providers of CareOne Credit Counseling Services, in an effort to help people be more proactive about debt management (http://www.careonecredit.com) during the holiday season, have released a collection of low cost gift ideas (http://www.careonecredit.com/Tips/gifts-on-a-shoestring-c55.aspx) that will light up the faces of loved ones without breaking the bank.

"It's easy for people to get caught up in the spirit of giving, and spend more than they can really afford when it comes to holiday shopping," says CareOne Credit Counseling Services Spokesperson Clarky Davis. "Whether they want to find the perfect gift for their spouse or the popular new gadget their child has their heart set on, the temptation of credit cards encourages shoppers to go over-budget in an effort to make others happy. The problem with charging gifts to credit cards is that those holiday bills can then take months to pay off, accruing interest along the way - additional debt for those who may not be able to afford it."

Agencies providing CareOne Credit Counseling Services offer the following tips to consumers looking for inexpensive holiday gift ideas that will both please loved ones and keep spending under control to avoid debt consolidation (http://www.careonecredit.com):

1. Gift Cards (http://www.careonecredit.com/Tips/gift-card-815.aspx) - While gift cards can seem impersonal to some buyers, they have their benefits. First, they keep the buyer in-budget. Because they're available in predetermined denominations, and can be purchased online in many cases, shoppers won't be tempted by the constant sales on gifts whose costs can add up. Second, recipients often love gift cards, because they can be used at their favorite stores or restaurants for anything they want. They're also ideal for long-distance giving, being included with a card.

2. Homemade Gifts (http://www.careonecredit.com/Tips/gift-from-the-heart-805.aspx) - Most people have some talent that they can share with friends and families over the holidays through gifts that don't have to cost a bundle. For example, the chef in the family might put together family recipe books or baskets of baked goods, or the photographer in the family might create inexpensive framed photos from a recent family event to give to everyone.

3. Gift Baskets - While the receiver feels like they're getting multiple gifts in one, gift baskets can actually be very economical for the giver. They can also be highly personalized. For example, someone might create a bath and body gift basket for someone that would enjoy a home spa experience, a movie basket even an entire family can share with DVDs and popcorn, or a car wash gift bucket for someone that loves to keep their car looking like new.

4. Magazine Subscriptions - Magazine subscriptions can not only be very affordable gift ideas (http://www.careonecredit.com/Tips/magazine-subscription-867.aspx), but they're gifts that keep on giving throughout the year. With magazines available covering just about every subject imaginable, they can work for anyone on this year's gift list.

5. The Gift of Time - Even those on an extremely limited budget can give a gift that will delight friends and family. Consider creating coupons to slip into greeting cards. For example a husband might give his wife a coupon saying he'll wash the dinner dishes for a week if she normally does that task, or she might give him a coupon saying she'll let him watch his sports without distraction for that same period.

It's possible to spread holiday cheer without adding holiday debt (http://www.careonecredit.com/Tips/gifts-on-a-shoestring-c55.aspx). Look for low-cost gift ideas this holiday season that offer loved ones a personal touch - gifts from heart can be surprisingly affordable.

About CareOne Credit Counseling Services:

CareOne Credit Counseling Services is a service mark of 3C Incorporated. CareOne agencies are industry leaders committed to providing consumers with education and debt management services related to improving and maintaining their financial health. CareOne agencies have helped over 4.5 million people pay down debts through their solid relationships with over 220,000 creditors.

For more information about CareOne Credit Counseling Services, please visit www.CareOneCredit.com, or contact Clarky Davis at (410) 925-9769.

Contact:

Clarky Davis

CareOne Credit Counseling Services

8930 Stanford Blvd.

Columbia, MD 21045

Phone: (410) 925-9769

Email: cdavis@careonecredit.com

Web: www.CareOneCredit.com

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