#1 - Overdraft Fees Solution.  The last thing you need to add to your holiday excitement is the bombardment of overdraft fees.  My solution is simple but not easy, which is true of the best things in life.  Spend 5 minutes everyday with your check register and your online banking.  Now I know you are all saying that you can cheat and only use your online banking, you don't need a check register.  WRONG.  You will need to have a check register where you keep a running cash balance.  You need to write down all the things that have not cleared the bank yet like the CVS run last night for $30.99 and the car insurance automatic debit on the 15th.  Those are the items that cause woe to you "online banking junkies."  If you hate to do the math - use a software program like Quicken or Quickbooks.  Online banking is great but not the complete solution.  Spend 5 minutes everyday with your finances to prevent overdraft fees from stealing your abundance.

 #2 - Budget Blowing Holiday Gift Giving Solutions.
We all love to shop for Christmas gifts but hate the credit card bill in January.  My solution to this came from a wonderful performance by the Mime, Scott Cannon  in his show called, "The Gift Inside."  It reminded me that it isn't the cost of the gift that counts, but the thought and love that goes into the gift.  It is about giving special gifts like: acts of service, handmade card or gift, and/or pictures of past memories.  Think outside the traditional gifts and be creative in a low $ but "priceless" way.  The good news is you don't have to be creative; you can use someone else's ideas.  Check out this article.  Giving the priceless gifts of "love" will solve your budget crunch.