Buying gifts and having them sent to different recipients? You might be charged more.

One way around this is to place a separate order for each destination, especially if you have a minimum order that you have to make before finalizing your order. Yesterday I placed an order that was going to be shipped to two different addresses. When I split the order, each above the minimum amount for the retailer, I was charged an additional amount which was almost $6. Instead changing the destination to myself for a particular item, I saved $6. The item doesn’t have to be shipped but if items really need to be shipped to the recipient, place a separate order and avoid the hassle of split order costing your more in shipping.

Waiting until the last minute can pay off when Christmas shopping this year. Stores that offered free shipping with a minimum purchase last week are now offering free shipping on any purchase, some with guarantees for Christmas delivery.

Today when placing an order, I was able to get free shipping because I asked. The main item I wanted to order from a specialty company was not available in the pull down menu for the company’s online site, so I had to call the toll free number. Before completing my order I asked if free shipping was just an online offer and the lady kindly said, since you mentioned it I’ll give you the shipping for free – which saved almost $17.

You never know unless you ask. I was considering placing an order with another online retailer but was dissuaded because I didn’t want to pay the equivalent of half the cost of the item for shipping. Today, I received an email coupon for free shipping on any order.

This goes along with a news story that I heard this morning on the radio that many people were out shopping in the malls and stores this weekend but not many people were making purchases. The closer it gets to Christmas this year, the great the deals will be, even if the choices are fewer – retailers are willing to make deals and customer service is coming back.

Don’t beat yourself up over money mistakes. One small money mistake will not break you if you have been making good financial decisions the rest of the year. Keep up the good work.

If you are afraid that you will spend too much over the holiday season, then stick to paying with cash or use a credit card and put the cash equivalent aside in an envelope to deposit when the bill comes. This way you have some protection and safety – rather than carrying around wads of cash.

Also, when shopping for Christmas gifts, be flexible. Generally, most recipients will be happy to receive whatever you give them. You don’t have to go broke to give people gifts.

“Coupon clipping for the millennium isn’t just for detergent and cereal. Retailers of all stripes, from Walgreens to Neiman Marcus, have latched onto the coupon to entice consumers to spend. And the Internet and mobile devices are making coupons more widely available.”

Coupons to some have seemed gauche as though by using one they couldn’t afford an item without it. What if someone couldn’t afford an item without a coupon. IF it’s a big ticket item then that makes a difference. For something that is less expensive, such as personal hygiene products and household goods why not save money on items you regularly buy.

The coupon curmudgeons will say that they don’t have enough time to clip coupons, but ask the same person if he/she would pass by a $10 bill lying on the ground. Most wouldn’t pass by a 10 dollars. Using multiple coupons could save you that much if not more depending on the type of purchase you are making.

If you don’t have to spend an extraordinary amount of time getting coupons or are searching hours and hours finding a usable coupon then it is definitely worth it. I scan through neighborhood mailers and see if there are coupons for places that I would actually use, otherwise, if it is something that I definitely won’t use, the coupon is deleted or goes into the recycling bin.

Though coupons had fallen out of favor over the past decade and a half, for some truly frugal, using coupons has been a part of their regular shopping and money management.

The venerable gift card can get some extra punch when you give a coupon along with it. Many times stores offer coupons for after Christmas sales. If you won’t use them yourself or just feel like spreading the love, pass the coupon along for an added boost to your gift card. Your recipient will appreciate it!