Checking your list and checking it twice, sometimes Christmas can be very stressful. Using cash instead of a credit card can help with that crunch after the holidays.

Story by Karen Talaski

Here it is, the first of December and you are feeling good about the fact you snagged gift wrap and cards on sale last December, shopped sales throughout the year and just have to put the finishing touches on your Christmas card list.

What? You aren’t ready? Well, join the club. Thankfully, you don’t have to be part of the two-thirds of your fellow Americans who stress about money during the holidays. There is still plenty of time to save in the three weeks between now and Christmas. Plus, you can get a jump on next year by shopping after the holidays this year.

Week of December 4

Budgeting

Create a Master Plan. Controlled holiday spending is about discipline, preparedness, and priorities. To do:

? Make a list of all your gift recipients, then group them into tiers, says the website, www.thebeehive.org. Tier one can be members of your family, tier two those who get a smaller gift, and tier three those who don’t have to get a gift.

? Set dollar limits for each level based on what you can afford (say, $20 for tier two) and tally them for your total budget.

? Remember non-gift expenses, like entertaining or a new party dress. By tracking spending, you’re less likely to let expenses spin out of control.

Shopping

Use Cash. When consumers charge purchases, they tend to spend 30 percent more than if they use cash, according to CardWeb.com. Cash makes people think twice or buy sale items. If you do use a credit card, use the one with the lowest interest rate.

According to the National Retail Federation, the most popular method of buying gifts last year was by debit or check card.

Get Paid to Spend. Check out the website www.fatwallet.com. It offers cash back when you make purchases with partnered vendors through its website. Search for coupons and promotions at your favorite retailers and, if they are FatWallet partners, sign up to receive cash rebates. At Target, shopping through FatWallet will earn 4.4 percent cash back. Rebates build up in your FatWallet account, and when you’re ready to cash in, request a check (minimum of $10) or get cash back via PayPal.

Technology Rocks. Electronics and computers nearly always top people’s wish lists. But it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

? Check out sites like www.techbargains.com for deals.

? Consider buying a model from last year. If you’re willing to settle for fewer bells and whistles computer, DVD player, cell phone or game system, last year’s model will cost you a lot less.

Buying Gifts

Regift with a twist. You could cash in gift cards to buy presents for other people. If you have a card that you can’t use to buy a gift for someone (Home Depot might not work well for Aunt Millie, for example), you can swap it at www.swapagift.com. For a $4 fee, trade yours in for one from another retailer, then use the new card to buy a gift for your recipient. You can also sell the card for cash on the site. Another site, www.zunafish.com, allows you to swap CDs, DVDs and video games with others for $1 per trade plus postage.

Buy one big family gift. Save your money for a trip later in the year instead of spending money on lots of little gifts. Get the kids involved by putting a map or travel brochure in their stockings, plus an inexpensive gift they can use once they are there pail and shovel or flip-flops for the beach, for example. Let them help plan the itinerary, too.

Week of December 11

Running Errands

Save Gas. Shopping online is one way to save gas, but if you have to get on the road, consider these tips from Joanne Helperin, features editor of the automotive site Edmunds.com:

? Plan your shopping route accordingly so you aren’t backtracking or covering the same ground.

? Drive at a moderate speed. It saves up to 37 percent versus driving fast (darn it!).

? Shop after 8 p.m. to avoid crowds.

Shipping

Shop around for postage. Compare rates online by visiting RedRoller (www.redroller.com). The site offers quotes from DHL and the U.S. Postal Service. The site www.iship.com compares costs for FedEx, DHL/Airborne, UPS, and the post office.

This Christmas lands on a Monday; if you are using ground service for these shippers, send packages no later than the following dates to arrive by Friday, Dec. 22.

? U.S. Postal Service, Dec. 13.

? UPS, Dec. 14.

? DHL, Dec. 15.

? FedEx, Dec. 15.

Making Gifts

Use your hands. A homemade gift doesn’t have to be a strain on your time, patience or bank account. A few ideas:

? Give someone an inexpensive journal that you start for her, with favorite quotations or an entry about a shared memory.

? Create a natural air freshener by mixing Knox gelatin in hot water and adding a few drops of an essential oil like vanilla or orange. Strain the gelatin through a coffee filter and pour into a container (like a powered sugar jar). Let the gelatin set. Lasts for about a month.

Week of December 18

Decorating

Decorate on a dime. About $8 billion is spent on holiday decorations a year in America, according to Unity Marketing. To keep your share of those billions down as low as possible, create an easy centerpiece using Red Hots or peppermints in a glass bowl. Red and green M&Ms in glasses or licorice in vases looks cool and is cheap, too!

Gift wrapping

Gift wrapping can be pretty basic, too. Get the kids involved by taking white paper and have them grab their crayons. Use last year’s Christmas cards for gift tags.

Last-minute preparations

Grant favor IOUs. This is a great idea for those folks you never know what to get as a Christmas gift.

For anyone: A dog walk, dry-cleaning pickup, a car wash, or a night of babysitting these don’t come gift wrapped, but will be greatly appreciated.

For kids: A weekend without chores, a ride to the movies at their request, or an extra hour to stay up past bedtime.

For someone special: If you’re good in the kitchen, offer a cooking demonstration. Camera buffs can schedule a photo shoot, tech experts can clean up a hard drive, and organizers can straighten up a closet. You can even print up a blank coupon at www.realsimple.com/iou.

Visit www.ehow.com for more information on how to make the season bright.