If you're exchanging gifts this season, it’s never too early to start planning your shopping list. I know some people who plan their gifts so far in advance that they are done shopping in July! I’m not that organized, so I usually start planning right around Halloween. If I don’t plan out my gifts, I end up spending way too much money on just a few things.  This year, I’m using these 5 tips (and this downloadable budget planner (PDF 454 KB)) to stretch my budget.

I’m sure you’ve been asked to open a store credit card when shopping. It can seem like a good deal: you can often save 15% on your first purchase with the card. But how do store cards measure up? What happens to your credit when you open a store card?

When I first started researching store cards, there was a lot not to like. I looked at 22 stores in Lansing that offer a store credit card. Over 80% of the cards had an APR higher than 20%! I’m used to 8.9% APR with my MSUFCU Platinum Visa, so those numbers seem really high. Even with 15% off my first purchase, would a store card ever be worth it?

Halloween is right around the corner! Have you been thinking about costumes and candy? The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that over 157 million Americans will take part in Halloween this year and will spend $6.9 billion dollars. That’s an average cost of $74.34 per person. At MSUFCU, we believe you can do Halloween a lot cheaper than $75 a person! Below are some ways we are saving this season.