It's not too early to start planning for xmas shopping. November and December are some of the best bargain shopping months of the year, but in order to take advantage of those bargains you need to have cash put aside. Here's some of the bargains that have happened in past years and that I hope to happen again.

Swagbucks - they usually have a sale on their rewards. I'm saving up my rewards until then. Last year they had their Amazon gift cards on sale for 400 points vs the normal 450 and I was able to get 2. I'm hoping for 3 this year.

Restaurants - several restaurants offer $5 bonus gift cards when you buy $25 gift cards. This is a $20 savings. Last year I know of the following restaurants that did this - Chili's, Texas Roadhouse, Applebee's, Red Robin, Elephant Bar, and Ruby Tuesday's. You usually have to use the $5 bonus by Feb/Mar of the next year, but you can also give them as gifts. I buy the gift cards with credit cards giving 5% back on restaurant purchases saving even more.

Coinstar - If you cash in $40 worth of coins at a Coinstar machine and opt for a gift card you can get an extra $10 gift card for that same store. You don't get the $10 bonus until Jan, but still it's free money. I got 2 from Amazon last year. They have iTunes and Lowes and other options. I save my coins all year in a jar. If you don't have coins saved go to the bank and get $40 in quarters.

Of course the best way to save money is not to spend it in the first place, but if you are going to spend on something, get the best value you can for your money and getting something you need/want for free is the very best way to save money.

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