Christmas is the time of year for celebrating and exchanging gifts with family and friends. Stretching the budget to ensure everyone on the list gets what they want can be a challenge, but this is the perfect opportunity to use up some coupons and unique saving tricks to stay within budget.

You can take advantage of the season to get big ticket items such as vacations and cars. Shoppers have a few options to help them reach this goal.

Here are six ways to help check off that holiday list:

1. Shipping coupons

During the holiday season, most retailers and wholesalers offer free shipping with a specific purchase amount. Making a list of items that reach this threshold can save enough to include a few extra goodies in your shopping cart.

The important part to this strategy is to research which companies offer this special. Follow this up by reviewing the categories for presents. For example, pick a matching sweater to go along with the shirt, or stock up on socks with those sneakers.

2. Paperless coupons

The latest trend is mobile coupons on smartphones.

Businesses are allowing customers to download them with a bar code that can be scanned at the register. In some cases, a download is not necessary, but simply going to the website is all it takes.

There are even some coupons that can be used more than once. For homes with multiple smartphones, each one is eligible for the same deal. These are especially popular with clothing retailers, so finding that perfect garment is much more affordable.

3. Sale circulars

With the holidays, there will be plenty of sale circulars in the newspaper. Some are even delivered to mailboxes.

This form of savings allows shoppers to take their time to find items that match the desired gift. For customers who frequently shop online, inboxes will also start to fill-up with plenty of coupon incentives to save with.

Around this time of year, it is a good idea to check circulars at the front door of the brick and mortar retailers since some coupons will only be available in-store. A caveat is to visit the customer service desk, or even ask the sales clerk during check-out for any available coupons.

4. Customized checks

Check writers will find loads of discount coupons for a set of new checks around the holidays. This is the time to purchase more than the 200 that come with a customary order.

Businesses will reap a solid return on investment, as the address cutting on this staple office expense. There is also an added benefit for giving the brand a face-lift with checks that raise brand visibility with customers and vendors.

Find cheap checks online at many retailers, and see what deals are offered right now.

5. New car

Making a new car purchase during the Christmas season is sometimes a prudent decision. The current year model will have thousands slashed off the MSRP to make room for the New Year models.

This will require research to locate dealerships that are taking part with coupon incentives. However, keep an eye out for invitations with coupons that come in the mail as well.

Some coupons can be used in conjunction with others, making the savings more lucrative. For example, a coupon for thousands off can be used with one that makes a trade-in more valuable.

6. Vacations

Getting a jump on next year's vacation is another solid idea during the Christmas season. There will be huge discounts available with coupons listed on websites of hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more.

This is an awesome gift that could be used to cover the next spring or summer getaway. Consumers can use multiple coupons from each provider they visit to get the most out of their trip.

Coupons have taken on a celebrity status with shows being created around them. Purchasing food is not the only commodity they make affordable. Once consumers realize that a coupon's value is equivalent to money, they will become staples in every budget. The Christmas season is the perfect time for this wake-up call.

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The keyword you have to emphasize in this situation is "previous marriage."

Regardless of your situation with your ex-significant-other, you're in a new marriage now, and you have every right to ask people in your life to accept that.

Here are 4 concerns you may have after a second marriage and how to deal with them:

1. Business Concerns

Depending on the kind of deal your divorce lawyer got you in the dissolution of your previous marriage, there might be some issues with shared or partial assets.

For instance, say you and your previous spouse started a business, and now have legal partnership in it. Does your current spouse have rights to a claim in that business as well? Can you leave control of that business to your current spouse in your will? These are sticky areas where a legal professional can help protect you.

2. Children's Concerns

A major point of contention after a new marriage is children from a previous marriage.

If you have joint or partial custody, this opens the way for your former spouse to raise concerns or objections to your current living arrangements. Hopefully your divorce was an amicable one, and your ex-spouse understands. If not, a legal expert can help sort out new custody agreements.

Children will need to be gradually introduced to the idea that you, their parent, now have a new partner. But you should be careful not to force the new partner on the kids. They shouldn't feel like they have to accept your new spouse as their new mommy or daddy, and your new spouse should likewise be clear about where they stand in regard to your children.

3. Old Partner Concerns

Ideally, all parties should have open communication to talk about their concerns. Of course, if you had such a great communication with your former spouse, you probably wouldn't be divorced in the first place.

Keep them informed of what may affect them, and don't provide them too much information if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

In the case of a toxic former spouse, it's usually best to just keep them at arm's length from the situation.

4. New Partner Concerns

Watch out for family tensions causing stress for your new partner. They might feel marginalized, pushed aside, unwelcome, or like they only get part of your attention.

Be sure to make time for you and your new spouse alone together. You might want to err on the side of spoiling them for a while, since baggage from previous relationships takes such a toll on present marriages.

Second marriages where one or both parties have previous relationships are never easy. Resolve that you're not giving up on any of the people you care about, and let the other parties concerned know that. It's all up to you to make everything work out in the end.

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Even people with great budgeting skills can encounter unexpected expenses that throw their financial plans off track from time to time. Here are a few ways to plan for the unexpected and give yourself a better financial cushion for the future.

Think of worst-case scenarios

You don't have to become a pessimist, but don't assume things will always go your way. This is especially true with your expenses. Take some time to think about your current possessions, expenses, assets and liabilities. Think about big things like your car and little things like your favorite tennis shoes. Now imagine if all these things had to be replaced right now. How would you pay for this? Imagine some worse-case scenarios, and start building some extra padding into your savings.

Be insured

Insurance is supposed to be there when things get bad. Make sure you've got the right insurance to protect your most valued possessions, yourself and your family if things go wrong. Yes, insurance is an ongoing expense, but it will pay off if things ever go south.

Collect coupons

It's a well-known truth that there are coupons for almost everything. Coupons are a really easy way to reduce expenses. Think about things you get only occasionally but that you can't afford to go without. Now, look for coupons from the stores that carry these items. For example, you might keep coupons for a tire shop around in case you have unexpected car trouble. You can also find some of the best deals on car parts at Discountrue and other online coupon outlets. Also save big with groceries by using coupon clippings for items you buy every week.

Separate emergency funds from savings

You probably have a savings account already, which is key to having a sound financial future. However, most people treat their savings as a backup to their checking account. That means you dip into it semi-regularly for big purchases or in between paydays. This isn't a bad method, but it can hurt you if something really goes wrong and you need to use a lot more savings. You need a source of funds that isn't accessible for monthly expenses. Think about starting a separate account you won't carry an ATM card for or that has really restrictive withdrawal terms. Having this money blocked off from your normal spending patterns will mean it's there when you really need it.

By definition, you can't predict the unexpected. But you know life will sometimes bring you hard times. To avoid big setbacks, it's worth it to factor bad situations into your financial planning, have solid insurance, store some good coupons and save a little more.

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According to Livestrong.com, parents spend approximately 6 percent of their monthly income on clothing for their children. Involvement in sports, rapidly growing kids, or a child who needs specialty sizes can dramatically increase that cost. It can be frustrating seeing so much of your money spent on clothing that is quickly outgrown or never used.

Here are some tips for having well-dressed kids on a budget:

Buy at the end of the season

With some careful guesswork, you can buy last season's clothes for pennies on the dollar. For example, if you see a sale on winter coats in the spring, you can buy up in the sizes your children will require next year and save yourself a ton of money in the future. You can also look for free shipping codes online at places like Discountrue, and save time going into the store at all! Don't be worried if the items are a bit large, especially for outerwear items that will likely be worn in layers.

Take advantage of coupons and in-store rewards cards

While you want to carefully read all the fine print, there are huge savings to be had by signing up for coupons or even using an in-store rewards program. This is especially helpful for families that buy a lot of items from one particular retailer. If you find yourself returning to the same store again and again, it might be worth it to take advantage of points programs, loyalty cards and coupon offers, as the savings can be significant.

Learn to do some minor tailoring

If you can hem a pair of too-long pants or skirts, you can let the hems down as your child grows, saving you both time and money. If you can replace a broken zipper or sew on some buttons that have come loose, you can save the entire replacement cost of the garment. Learning these simple skills can translate into hefty savings and can also help save favored clothing your child prefers. There are many videos online you can look up to get started. You can also find local sewing classes for beginners.

Don't be afraid of thrift stores

Thrift stores and consignment shops can be treasure troves for kids' clothing, unworn shoes, toys and other items. Find out if second-hand stores in your area offer up discounts on certain days, or if they offer a rewards card for frequent purchases. As long as you launder the items properly, there is no reason not to buy gently used items. No one will know the difference, and your wallet will thank you.

Saving money on kids' clothing can be a challenge, but by keeping these tips in mind, you can have well-dressed children at a fraction of retail prices.

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