1. Bargain Hunt Always

For those of you that are unfamiliar with bargain hunt...I will pray for you. Bargain Hunt is basically TJ Maxx but less expensive. They have bargains depending on the date the product was put in the store so the price could read $12.99, but if the date is 10/11/14 it could be 90% off. You never know, you have to hunt. This is a great place to buy toys if your family is like mine and has dozens of children. I would highly recommend Bargain Hunt for the holiday season because they have hot toys just a few months behind.

2. A Dollar Makes Me Hollar

The Dollar Tree is a great store to utilize for wrapping paper, cards, bows, and gift bags. You can purchase up to 20 holiday cards all for one dollar. Dollar Tree is a true homie, unlike Dollar General where everything is NOT a dollar. I go to Dollar Tree before I go anywhere else because they have everything from vases to huge gift bags. Dollar Tree is where it's at for the smaller stuff for the holidays.

3. Real Life Pinterest

Winter is here, and our "Winter Fashion" Pinterest board is full. One of the popular staples of winter fashion is boot cuffs. Boot cuffs go under the boot to create a separation between the boot and your leggings. You can purchase them at your local boutique for about $12.99. Or you could do what I do which is as follows: Go to Goodwill to the $3.99 sweater section, find a sweater with cool sleeves (lacey, cool design, a color that would match a lot of your clothes, etc), cut the sleeves off around the elbow, and boom, DIY boot cuffs. Even though you're only saving about $9.00, saving as much as you can during the holiday season is helpful.

4. I Shop Online Because I Hate Walmart

Online shopping is a great resource. I use Amazon and Etsy the most. Amazon is a popular site and because I'm a college student I get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free. Here's a tip on that: If your close friend or relative is also in college, use their amazon prime membership until their trial runs out. Then start yours and you can both have free 2 day shipping for a year. Etsy is another favorite site of mine because they're so random and efficient. Talking to the sellers is easy and they have items you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. I like to use this for online shopping when I need a unique gift.

5. O Christmas Tree

I've mentioned Goodwill before because right now it is my favorite store. If your Goodwill is small, then I'm sorry, but if it is a larger one, then listen up. I was able to get the Christmas tree pictured above for $7.00. It came with lights that I tested in the store, and I bought a bag of ornaments with the beads for $1.00. I would never spend a lot of money on a Christmas tree. So if you want to celebrate the holidays but are a Scrooge with money like myself, Goodwill trees are for you also.

6. DIY

DIY presents can be good for people you know really well, like your family. You can also do a DIY present with a kid and everybody will think it's so cute. One time, I looked up "crafts with pipe cleaners," and found ideas and played with a 5-year-old with only pipe cleaners for 30 minutes. Pinterest is my best friend during the holidays because of things like that but also it gives me inspiration for DIY presents like a photo cube or a scrapbook.

7. Stocking Stuffers

No, I do not have children but I did have to fill some stockings this year. The best place to find stocking stuffers is Dollar Tree and the dollar section at Target. You can get a lot of cute items for really cheap at either place. Dollar Tree has holiday cups, mugs, stuffed animals, and candy. Target dollar section has about the same selection, but Dollar Tree is generally cheaper.

Hope these little tips help save you a couple bucks like they did for me this season!