While many of us are already planning to spend less this holiday shopping season – the National Retail Federation has pinpointed it down $682.74 per consumer, a 3.2% drop – there are plenty of ways to further maximize our savings during what is typically the unfriendliest season for our bank accounts.

1. Use Cash Only.

It’s the best and only way to avoid credit card hangover in January. Credit cards give us a false license to spend more money than we have. Cash limits us. Period.

2. Visit Off-Price Retailers Well and Often.

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are expecting amazing items this season, as many high-end brands need to unload their overstock of goodies. These stores update their inventory daily, everything from clothing to toys to household items.

3. Stick to Your List.

This tip is an oldie but a goodie. Taking 20 minutes to jot down all the people you want to buy gifts for, a price limit and a few potential items will not only help you manage your time better at the mall. A list will also help you stick to a budget.

4. Discover Online Deals.

Sites like fatwallet.com, slickdeals.net and bensbargains.net can give you a daily rundown on deals and steals. Other sites like eBay and Etsy allow you to name your price, ensuring you never go over budget when shopping for gifts. Check deal websites regularly to see what pops up, and stick to a pre-planned budget to ensure that you won’t go overboard with your spending.

5. Pay with Points.

If you have a credit or debit card that rewards you with points to use towards shopping, use them to purchase gift cards or gift certificates for your loved ones. With an American Express Blue Card, for example, you can redeem 500 points towards a gift certificate to Pottery Barn for your mother. If you can’t find a suitable store for your recipient, many cards allow you to buy Visa/Mastercard/American Express gift cards with the points that can be used wherever the card is accepted.

6. Wrap Your Skills.

Gift your skills in a thoughtful way. Are you an interior designer? Offer to redecorate a room in your friend’s house for free. A web developer? Build a website for your friend or sketch out a plan for their new blog. Skilled in the kitchen? Cook a delicious meal for friends and family. A photographer? Offer a photography lesson or take some portraits of your friends for free.

7. Give the Gift of Charity.

With all great gifts, it’s the thought that counts. Consider donating to a charity in the name of the person you are gifting. No one has to know how much you donated, either, so you can easily keep this gift affordable. With so many charities to choose from, you can customize the type of donation to the person’s personality. If you’ve got a friend who’s an animal lover, for example, you can adopt a tiger at ChangingThePresent.org in his or her name. You can choose the cause, the amount you want to donate and a personalized greeting card for your friend, all while earning a tax deduction in the process. Remember, it is the thought that counts. And with a little time and even less money, you can give great holiday gifts your friends and family will appreciate without breaking the bank.

8. Grab Free Gift Ideas off the Web.

The Internet is a vast resource of information and can be utilized to create a personalized gift for your friend. If your buddy is a cook and loves Mexican food in particular, compile the best Mexican recipes you’ve found on the web, print them out and assemble them in a simple cookbook. For a musician friend, find sheet music of his favorite songs. Create web albums of your friends’ favorite music videos/jokes/resources/etc. and compile them. Most of this information will be free to access, and by putting it all together you’re taking time to show how much you care.

9. Give the Gift of Time.

For your friends who never have time for themselves because they’re busy taking care of everyone else or are bogged down with work, give them a well-deserved break. Offer to baby sit kids or a pet. Help run some errands or tidy your friend’s place so he can have a breather. The gift of your time will always be appreciated.

WPIX in New York also aired some my tips on Black Friday eve.