Here we go into another holiday season. Yippee ...my kids have been diligently communicating with me for months which what not they want and don't want. For my oldest son, his list of mind melting video games is quite extraordinary. If I was to get every game he wants, school would be a distant memory. I think that's what he is hoping for.. He would be in that game playing, vegetative state for the next year. My little one just figured out this Christmas, Santa Claus thing and everything advertised on television is perfect for him.And, last and the expensive, channeling Emelda Marcos, our 11 year old clothes horse.

Then, there's the whole shopping experience. I want to get what I need and get out as quickly as possible. But, this is the season for pampering yourself a little in the holiday seasonwhich always seems to add another couple of $100 to the holiday budget. This year with a recession looming, I'm putting my foot down and setting some simple rules to follow for getting through the gift part of the holiday season without the financial hangover.

Here it is...

1.We're not spending more than $100 per immediate family member.

2.The extended family has agreed to a “Secret Santa" with a max budget of $50.00. (This is fun and only $50.00 compared to the $450 I spent last year.

3.It's a cash and carry Christmas . We are not using credit cards this year at all. This also virtually guarantees that we stay within the budget.