Don't let holiday cheer ruin your mood in January

'Tis the season to be jolly, but how about January?

Just as the bathroom scale can bring bad news after the holiday, so can the mailman in the case of credit card bills and bank statements.

And, just like our physical health, a little planning and discipline can pay off in financial health after the holidays.

The National Retail Federation predicts the annual shopper will spend nearly $800 this year -- if you spend less than that, imagine what some people are spending -- but too much of it will wind up as a burdensome debt after New Years.

Struggling to make minimum payments on credit cards can take a lot of the joy out of holiday giving.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service offers some useful tips for keeping holiday costs under control.

* Before you start shopping, set a realistic spending limit and stick to it. Leave your credit cards at home if possible -- studies show people who buy on plastic spend an average of 30 percent more than people who use cash. Add in the finance charges, and that $50 gift can cost $100 by the time you have it paid off.

* Make a list of all the people you need to buy for, assign an amount you can spend, and keep the total under the spending limit you already set. If it's more, trim the number of people on the list or amount for each person. You may be able to chart the amount you actually spent, using savings from one gift to extend your holiday budget.

* Put some extra thought into your gifts. Jot ideas next to each person on your list and give each one some thought. Some of the most appreciated gifts are those that cost the least, such as handmade calendars, photo albums, framed children's artwork or something related to a favorite hobby.

* Shop early, and use the power of the Internet to recognize a local bargain when you see one. And, don't forget to factor in shipping, gasoline and convenience when you decide to shop locally.

* Factor in all of the costs; a $10 gift can quickly cost $15 once you add gift bags, wrapping, cards and shipping. Stock up after the holidays to make next year's wrapping and decorating more economical.

* Put off giving to family or friends that you won't see until after the holidays, and trade gifts at that point. You might even be able to take advantage of post-holiday sales and spread out the impact on your budget.

Above all, don't forget the true pleasure of the holiday season, spending time together with family and friends. Organize a group to volunteer for groups like the Salvation Army, Toy Box, Pantry, United Way or other worthy causes.

You can enjoy the time together, spread holiday cheer and save money while building memories that will be cherished long after the holidays are a distant memory.