Crunch proof your Christmas

Philips AVENT's finance planning for families expert, Sue Hayward is one of the country's leading personal finance experts. Here she offers the following helpful advice and handy tips on saving for the festive season

Q: 'I'm really looking forward to our first family Christmas but we're feeling the effects of the credit crunch – how can we cut back without missing out?'

A: Christmas can be a magical family time but it's also an expensive time and come the New Year we're often faced with a big credit card bill! So if you want to enjoy Christmas but without a financial hangover here's how to keep your bank account in the black.

Make Those Sums Add Up

Work out your budget before you shop. Write a list of everyone you're buying for and how much you can afford to spend. If you have lots of children to buy for in the same family then look at ways to combine gifts, such as buying a game they can all enjoy Don't pile everything on your credit card; if your bank account can't cope make sure you're using a credit card with a 0 per cent deal on new purchases; these deals can last for up to a year giving you a chance to clear the bill in instalments without incurring interest Avoid taking out store cards, as some charge around 30 per cent interest; that's a third again on anything you buy. If you're sure can clear the bill then it's worth benefiting from some of those introductory discounts, typically between 10-20 per cent off on your first purchase, so it could be worth opening one if you're spending a lot in one go Make money while you shop by signing up to one of the online cashback sites, such as quidco.com or froggybank.co.uk and for every purchase you'll earn money which can be transferred to your bank account

Present Buying Tips

Most small children like lots of presents to open Christmas morning, rather than one big expensive one, so start buying smaller items whenever you see them. Start a 'gift cupboard' with cards, paper and stocking fillers to save time and money in December Recycle! Still got unwanted gifts from last year or been given duplicate presents? Providing it looks brand new wrap it up and give it to some else, just make sure you take off the original tag! Shop online to save time and money; sites like www.kelkoo.co.uk price match thousands of items across online stores but watch those delivery charges. If you're buying several items a £5 charge is ok but if you buy from different stores delivery costs can dent your budget. Look for stores offering free delivery like play.com for CD's and DVD's and always check postage costs before ordering eBay is a goldmine for cut price presents and over half the items sold are brand new and often still with the original price tags Check websites like www.myvouchercodes.co.uk for promotional discount vouchers for high street and online stores

Watch Those Pennies

Petrol prices have risen 20 per cent over the last year; if you're making long journeys over the festive period check the cheapest place to fill up before. At www.petrolprices.com you can find the cheapest petrol in your area – just type in your postcode and it can save you up to 10p a litre Write your Christmas cards early and post them second class; you'll save nearly £3 for thirty cards Get cash out when you pay by debit card at the supermarket to avoid using free standing cash machines in garages, corner shops or stations that can charge you up to £5 a time for withdrawals And don't buy too early; many stores cut the price of their Christmas cards and wrapping paper by early December!

Entertaining

Hosting Christmas lunch? Ask family and friends to bring one item each and 'cheat'; it's often cheaper to buy mince pies, sausage rolls and even roast potatoes than making your own and nobody will know the difference Pop an extra item in your trolley at the supermarket every week to avoid a big bill on Christmas Eve. And save money by cashing in your loyalty card points on the bill. Cash in your loyalty card points, and if you've got Tesco club card vouchers they are worth four times the value when buying presents from the catalogue And finally don't forget to treat yourself to a well deserved girls' night! Invite the girls round one evening to share a bottle of wine rather than standing in packed wine bars and paying pub prices; typically around £3.50 for a glass of wine!