With overall household wealth declining and unemployment rising, many families are looking for ways to save money without sacrificing any of their holiday cheer. Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern North Carolina (www.bbb.org) is providing advice on how consumers can cut down on spending and reduce household expenses without compromising the fun of the holiday season.

“The financial outlook is uncertain for many Americans this holiday season,” says Beverly Baskin, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina. “With the sobering effect of the economy looming, consumers are going to have to be creative with their dollar and be more conscious of their spending in order to avoid a holiday hangover.”

Following are six ways BBB is advising consumers to save money this holiday season:

Create a Budget and Stick to It
Holiday expenses can add up quickly, and one way to keep the financial damage to a minimum is to create a budget and then track spending. A budget should include the amount the family plans to spend on food, travel, incidentals and even a price limit for each person on the gift list. Creating a budget can be harder than sticking to one, but becoming more conscious of holiday spending habits is an absolute must and greatly diminishes the chances of an unhappy New Year. More tips on creating a budget are available here.

Trim Energy Consumption
During the energy crisis of the late seventies, President Carter famously donned a sweater and asked the public to turn down their thermostats. That advice rings true today, but it doesn’t mean the family has to suffer. BBB recommends turning the thermostat down only a few degrees when the family is home, and turning it down even more when at work or sleeping. Energy-conscious consumers can also reduce costs by driving less and keeping close to home for the holidays, as well as leaving outdoor Christmas lights on for only a few hours every night.

Trim the Gift-giving List
When times are tight, whittling down the shopping list can save a lot of money. Aside from cutting the list down to only the closest of friends and family, some options include only giving gifts to children, setting generally accepted limits on what family and friends can spend and drawing names for gifts among family. Unfettered giving is fun and spontaneous, but the credit card bill that will come in January can make even the most cheerful of givers grumpy.

Do it Yourself
Not only are craft projects a great way to get the family working together, making decorations and even gifts is a great way to save money. There are many Web sites and books dedicated to holiday craft projects. For those who are crafty in the kitchen, holiday goodies such as baked goods and candies are also a much appreciated and inexpensive gift.

Forego the Little Things
When it comes to the holidays, the little things add up. Many of these little things can actually be pared down in leaner times. This includes foregoing season’s greetings cards, relying on last year’s decorations and using alternative wrapping paper-such as the Sunday comics or even the retailer’s shopping bag.

Be a Savvy Consumer
There will no doubt be a record number of sales this year as retail stores compete for shoppers’ dollars in the lean months leading up to celebrations. Not only does this mean savings at the mall, but consumers can also search online retailers for deals and bargains. Before doing business with any online retailer though, BBB advises shoppers to check the company out with BBB first at www.bbb.org.

For more trustworthy advice on creating a holiday season budget, shopping safely online, and advice on charitable giving, visit www.bbb.org.

About BBB of Eastern North Carolina:
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from more than 3,200 local business and professional firms. The BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by the BBB include, reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, dispute resolution services, and consumer/business education programs. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit www.bbb.org.