Seasonal tips for reasonable holiday spending

The Pinellas County Extension's Family and Consumer Sciences division offers tips to help focus holiday spending around the traditions and events that will give the most satisfaction without breaking the budget.

- Save first and decide in advance how much to spend on decorations, entertaining, gifts and cards. Make a determined effort to stick with a spending plan.

- In a new home? Purchase just a portion of the holiday decorations in the first year, and then add more in years to come. Save money by making decorations or use spotlights outdoors for color without the fuss and cost.

- Consider low-key celebrations. Have a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish. Ignore pressure to top parties hosted in the past.

- Draw names rather than buying for everyone in the family.

- Comparison-shop to get the best price. Use coupons and merchant ads to plan your shopping route.

- Plan errands to drive the shortest route possible and save gas.

- Buy gifts that are lightweight for mailing out of town to save on postage.

- Consider gift cards for easy mailing and saving on wrapping paper and mailing costs.

- Purchase seasonal bargains as they go on sale and save them for next year.

- Look for recipes with less costly ingredients.

- People into technology could consider sending electronic holiday cards. Postcards also are less costly to purchase and send.

Put some time and effort into reducing holiday spending. The gift you give yourself is less debt in the New Year.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.