I do my Christmas shopping early not because I like to make everybody feel bad (I do that with my winning personality), but because January is crappy enough that I don't need a huge credit card bill to get me down. I'd rather handle it piecemeal and head into the new year without a big bill.

This piece is a bit belated, but Angie Davis, vice president and private banking team leader at BankUnited has some tips on keeping holiday spending and debt at bay to secure financial stability in the new year, via Worldwit. Plenty of the advice is sound post-Christmas and still good pre-Hanukkah.

The one that seems the most tedious and basic is to check your receipts. However, nearly every time I remember to do this, it's paid off--either the clothing store didn't apply the 20% off coupon that I brought in or Whole Foods charged me for one extra Luna bar. Don't be afraid of looking stingy: it takes a second to do and can save you cash.