Prevent a budget blow out with CHOICE'S shopping tips

With Christmas here, consumer watchdog CHOICE is offering an early present in the form of some yuletide shopping tips to keep the post-holiday budget blues at bay.

Don't overspend

• Get your family together and put a limit on the amount spent on presents.

• Alternatively, have a Kris Kringle where everyone buys a present for just one other person.

• Shop with a list to avoid impulse buys. Set yourself a budget and stick to it.

Shop smart

• Shop around for the best deal.

• You can use online shopping sites to research prices.

• Last year we found the price of typical Christmas gifts could vary considerably