An early start can make budgeting easier, but it can also give shoppers more opportunities to spend By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs September 29, 2026 Start with a total holiday budget that accounts for gifts, travel, food, entertainment, and other seasonal expenses.Spreading purchases over several months doesn't necessarily mean spending less track your spending to make sure you stay within your overall limit.Use the extra time to plan and compare prices, rather than letting sales, limited-edition products, or holiday pressure lead to impulse purchases.It may feel a little early to start thinking about holiday gifts, but retailers are already getting shoppers into the holiday spirit. Advent calendars and other seasonal products are hitting shelves months before the holidays, giving consumers more time and more opportunities to spend.Starting early isn't necessarily a bad thing. Spreading out purchases could make holiday expenses easier to manage, especially for shoppers who plan ahead. But a longer shopping season can also mean more chances to make impulse purchases, fall for limited-time offers, or simply spend more than intended.With the holiday shopping season getting longer, Andy Smith, executive director of financial planning at Edelman Financial Engines, explains how consumers can take advantage of an early start without letting holiday spending get out of hand.Use the time to budgetSmith explained that an earlier holiday shopping season can work in consumers favor if they treat the extra time as a planning window, rather than a longer spending window.The longer shopping season offers more opportunities to compare prices and make thoughtful decisions, he said. Before making the first purchase of the season, consumers should determine what they can comfortably spend in total and then break up that amount across upcoming gifts, travel, entertainment, and other miscellaneous holiday expenses.Without a predetermined spending limit, people are creating more opportunities to blow up their budget and knock their broader financial plan off-track.Setting a realistic holiday spending limitWhen it comes to creating your budget, Smith shared his best advice for consumers giving them plenty of time to start preparing for the added expense.Start with your financial priorities, not your shopping lists. Look at essential expenses, debt payments and savings goals first, and then determine what you can allocate toward the holidays without disrupting those commitments.Establish one total holiday spending number and account for more than just gifts. Travel, food, decorations, entertainment, and other seasonal expenses can all add up quickly and are easy… [TheTopNews] Read More.
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