Kids dont care about your holiday budget.
Thats why so many parents end up overspending around this time of year.
We asked ourPenny Hoarder Facebook community groupmembers how they save on Christmas presents for their kids.
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Here are some of the tips and tricks they shared.
EBay is a godsend for those pricy things like laptops and games, Torrey Anderson said.
Ive managed to get some really good deals.
EBay also has a make offer option on some sales.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
[Stores] can be overwhelming, [especially] in this season, she said.
Plus, you get free shipping on a lot of products, and you save gas, too.
Thefour-gift rulehelps parents narrow down their spending.
Gwen Delarm follows the four-gift rule plus, she buys one extra gift to give from Santa.
She said sticking to that approach keeps shopping manageable.
Did you know?
She put a little money aside from each paycheck to buy gifts and shopped on eBay to find bargains.
Maria Blum uses even more spending restraint, buying one little present for each child.
Save Money Using Apps and Websites
Money-saving apps and websites helped several parents pad their holiday shopping funds.
Nicole Lovelace said she used the saving platformDigitthis year to gradually save money for Christmas.
She also uses cash-back siteEbatesto save money throughout the year.
I print coupons, watch videos, take surveys and purchase gift cards, she said.
So far, Ive made over $1,400.
Maloy also uses Ebates to get rewards while shopping online.
And those arent even all the apps shes used to make money.
Shop for Deals Throughout the Year
Getting an early start on holiday shopping definitely has its advantages.
Some parents say they shop year-round and set gifts aside to give away when Christmas rolls around.
One approach parents take is to find gifts at places that always keep prices low.
Olivia Fox said she saves by finding items at yard sales and thrift stores.
Ashley Montgomery said she shops at Dollar Tree or Five Below to get gifts at low prices.
Other parents scan the sales racks throughout the year to find Christmas gifts at a good discount.
Black Friday isnt the only time to find a good sale.
Tricia Lichty said she shopped for winter gear for her kids at the end of the season last year.
Hat-and-glove sets are now $5 to $8, she said.
Last year, I paid $1.
Lichty said she also checks the clearance section of stores for good deals.
She bought a Descendants doll for $8 on clearance that was regularly $34.99.
By Thanksgiving, everything was purchased, wrapped and stashed in my closet, she said.
Wade said she was able to enjoy the month of December without the stress of buying gifts.
She could instead focus on decorating, parties, baking and spending time with family and friends.
Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
When you log into your bank account, how do your savings look?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
