10 Ways to Reduce Your Holiday Expenses

As the holiday season ramps up, I'm trying to follow the advice of experts like Suze Orman, who helped me come up with 10 ways to spend less during the holidays. I especially appreciated Suze's cautionary advice that sometimes gifts can become burdens -- for example, if you're spending beyond your means, that $50 sweater can end up costing a lot more if you're not able to pay the credit card balance in full. Frightening, but true if your finances aren't in order.

And though it's easier said than done, it may be worth reminding ourselves why we're giving gifts in the first place. For ideas on how to stay within your budget this year, check out this GoodHousekeeping.com slideshow featuring 10 ways to cut costs on gifts, food (entertaining isn't cheap!), and yes, even decorations.

Photo by Amy Chen

Post-Labor Day Travel Savings

When Kelli Grant of SmartMoney.com asked me for destinations that cost less after Labor Day but still feel like summer, I felt a slight tinge of regret for blowing several vacation days earlier this summer. If I waited just a few months, I could've saved hundreds of dollars.

Read the article here on SmartMoney.com.

My first money-saving suggestion was Cape Cod. A few summers ago, I visited in August and sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Saturday. After chatting with the bartender at the Bramble Inn in Brewster, I learned that Saturday is the absolute worst day to travel for a weekend getaway since many weekly rentals "change over" on Saturday. Lesson learned.

My other suggestion was Hilton Head Island, which apparently has a lower risk of being affected by hurricanes than, say, the Outer Banks. As much as I love the idea of traveling to the Mexico or Caribbean during hurricane season (cheap hotels!), sometimes the uncertainty cancels out the relaxation. For example, just this week, Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ernesto swept through coastal Mexico and many tourists at Cancun resorts were evacuated, according to this Associated Press article.

Depending on your flexibility or travel needs, I probably would try to pick a vacation destination with slightly less risk. Then again, I was in Seattle last weekend and my return flight was oversold (thanks, United!). I ended up at the airport Holiday Inn eating some pretty terrible food, showering in my flip-flops, and taking the first flight out, which meant waking up at 4:45 a.m. Monday and heading straight from SFO to the office. When is it worth adding something like the potential of a hurricane to your travel stress? Only you can decide.

By the way, I second the suggestion of Hawaii, which was recommended by Courtney Scott of Travelocity. A few years ago, I spent Labor Day weekend on the Big Island with my mom. We tacked on a few days after the holiday weekend (the long weekend typically overlaps with my birthday, yet another perfect excuse to travel).

Photo Caption: A small beach facing one of the ponds in Cape Cod
Photo by Amy Chen

How to Keep Your Credit Cards Safe While Traveling

Traveling internationally is not the time to run into problems with your credit card. Yes, you already called your bank to add a travel note so your account isn't shut down, but what if you encounter any travel delays on the way home?

On a recent trip to Europe, my bank suggested that I tack on an extra day in case a canceled flight left me stranded overseas. Brilliant tip.

Read more smart ways to keep your credit cards safe in this piece by Dana Dratch, featuring advice from Peter Greenberg and yours truly.