Recent months of the year is considered to be probably the most profitable season for many merchants and businesses. With four different holidays coming soon, the Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year – many consumers are ready to spend a little more despite the limited budget.

Are you prepared to deal with the holidays this year? How will you survive the time of year without getting stuck in bad debt? Consider these particular suggestions:

Zero in your credit card balances.

Before the holiday season comes, make sure that you have no remaining balance in any of your credit card accounts. If you’re planning to use your credit cards for holiday shopping, it’s best to start with zero balance.

Prepare your shopping list.

It’s always a good idea to prepare a list before heading to the department store or the supermarket. Having a list will enable you to avoid unnecessary spending and make the most of your budget.

Consolidate credit card debt.

If you catching up with your monthly credit card payments in a struggle, consolidating your debts can be a good strategy. Transfer your balances to a credit card with a low rate or apply for a new card with zero balance transfer rate. This way, you can focus on paying off your debts without incurring extra fees.

Start saving early in the year.

There’s no need to wait until the holiday months are near before taking action. Start building your holiday budget as early as possible to avoid getting into debt. If you can avoid using your credit card this year, you can greatly minimize the risk of bad debt.

Be creative and resourceful.

Do you really need to buy new decorations this year? Perhaps you can still use old décor from last year or create ornaments from nature such as twigs, leaves, flowers, pine tree, etc. Old things can also be recycled to decorate the place. Instead of buying expensive gifts, you can still make your friends and loved ones feel special by giving gifts that you made yourself. You don’t need to buy greeting cards from bookstores. Rather than spend much on greeting cards, why not design and print your own cards.

Grab available discounts.

Many retailers and shops host sale events months before the holiday season.