With the holiday shopping season just a few short months away, shoppers should be aware that the recent changes to banking fees and credit cards courtesy of the Durbin Amendment may be changing the way people shop. Not only do consumers have to budget extra cash for higher banking expenses in general, there also appears to be no relief for consumers in the stores.

Changes Not In Store for Retailers

The Durbin Amendment has limited the price banks can charge for interchange fees on debit card purchase transactions. Where banks could once charge 44 centers for each transaction at the register, they are now limited to only as much as 24 cents for each transaction. This puts more money back into the pockets of retailers and consumers may have a notion they will be able to save some cash during the biggest shopping season of the year.

However, changing in retail prices doesn’t seem to be on the minds of said business owners. There will be a greater need for consumers to start saving much earlier and spending more decisively for the upcoming shopping season. In addition to the gifts, food, and sundries that go along with holiday traditions, consumers will also be paying more for their used-to-be-free checking accounts, debit transactions, and ATM cash withdrawals before even hitting the malls.

Reforming Your Budget

While there are only a few months to go before holiday festivities, it is not too late to start reworking your budget and setting savings goals toward the holiday in addition to managing your regular financial life.

It will be important to check in with your bank and be clear about any new fees being passed on to customers so that you’ll know what to expect. If you have received bank literature make sure you read through all of it or visit with a local branch manager to get the information you need for a successful budget. It may also be the right time to shop around for smaller banks or credit unions that are still offering incentives and benefits to customers.

Tips for Revamped Savings

There is still time to make changes to your financial situation to be ready for the holidays. Here are some tips to help you make an easier transition to a new budget and still be able to afford gifts for giving:

Cut Back to Increase Savings

There should be at least one or two things on your spending list that you can do without in order to stash more cash for the holidays. Just a few bucks a day tucked aside over the next few weeks can give you extra cash for holiday spending. Even if you don’t have a Christmas Club account or an established savings account for the upcoming occasions, you can make some temporary sacrifices to save now.

Consider Alternative Shopping Methods

There are still some retailers that allow you to put merchandise on layaway with no additional finance charges. You can hold the items for a small down payment and then make incremental payments until the time limits runs out and you need to pay the remaining balance to collect your merchandise. Don’t forget about online shopping sites where merchandise is priced lower than retail stores. Just be cautious about the shipping charges you may incur which could cost more than the gift itself.

Go Discount

Discount and dollar stores have certainly stepped up their game in the last few years. With larger selections of merchandise, you can find something for nearly everyone on your list at much more reasonable prices. Many stores carry brand named goods including food, snacks, home décor, and are usually chockfull of holiday decorations and necessities. Start collecting items now so you don’t need to have a lump sum of cash on hand to cover your list.

Suggest Downsizing

The economy has hit America hard and there are many without jobs and those struggling with debts. It is completely appropriate to suggest to family and friends that cutting back on gift-giving might be a good idea. Not only can this suggestion help you save on cash and avoid stress, you may very well be helping family and friends who are afraid to mention their own hardships. Consider name-swaps or secret Santa exchanges where gifts are smaller and less pricey. For dinner time get-togethers, consider a potluck style affair where everyone brings something rather than one family footing the whole bill.

While there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight to the changes in the financial industry or the banking sector, consumers can still find incentives, deals, and discounts if they practice creativity and a little out of the box thinking. It will also require a renewed emphasis on better budgeting habits to accommodate the rising costs and fees that are on the horizon for consumers.

About Tisha Tolar is a financial writer for MyBankTracker.com, a site that helps consumers compare savings accounts, CD rates, and home equity loans to make informed banking decisions and save money.

Welcome to the April 27th, 2011 edition of Festival of Frugality 2.   We have a lot of great submissions (as usual) to check out. Without further ado……

Ken presents Shopping At Costco: The Good and The Ugly posted at Spruce Up Your Finances.

CreditDonkey presents Why You Should Have a Credit Card with Return Protection posted at CreditDonkey.com Tips, saying, “Save money by returning the stuff you don’t want, even if the retailer won’t take it back.”

Neal Frankle presents What is Groupon and Why It?s Evil posted at Wealth Pilgrim: Money Management Advice, Financial Stess Management, Addiction Recovery Plan & Resources, saying, “You’ve probably heard about Groupon and how it’s the best thing since sliced bread. I don’t like it because it’s going to result in lots of people struggling with how to get out of credit card debt (you’ll see why in a moment).”

Jim presents Common Credit Report Errors at Barganeering.com. saying “It’s important to understand these basic items to avoid with your credit”.

Tim Fraticelli presents 6 Wealth Defense Strategies posted at Faith and Finance, saying, “Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense. The same is true with money. Most millionaires didn’t get to a place of financial freedom by relying on income and investments alone. They also focused on ways to KEEP their money – these financial defense strategies help us to focus on ways we can keep our money from slipping away from us!”

Melissa Batai presents Earth Day Focus: Reusable Eco Friendly Lunch Bento Boxes posted at Mom’s Plans, saying, “More often than not, packing a homemade lunch with a reusable container is a clear winner financially and environmentally.”

Craig Ford presents 3 Ways to Deal With a Declining US Dollar posted at Money Help For Christians, saying, “Learn how to financially protect yourself from a declining US dollar.”

Sustainable Life Blog presents Cheap Summer Vacation Series: Grand Teton National Park posted at Sustainable Life Blog, saying, “Looking for a frugal summer vacation? Look no further than your national parks! Great sites, things to do, and most are free!”

Joe Plemon presents How Higher Oil Prices Are Costing You — And How to Cope posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Higher oil prices are costing you in ways you might not have considered. This post tells some of those ways and gives tips on how to cope.”

Money Reasons presents Treat Money With Respect Even When It?s Small Change! posted at Money Reasons, saying, “What do you do when you see change on the floor or have change after a purchase? I save my money and here’s why and what I do with it!”

Kevin McKee presents The Most Embarrassing Four Dollars I’ve Ever Spent posted at Thousandaire, saying, “Come along with me as I tell a tale of the most miserable four dollars I’ve ever spent.”

BIFS presents Green Your Routine – Ecologically Friendly Product Alternatives | Budgeting In the Fun Stuff posted at Budgeting In the Fun Stuff, saying, “Ever forgo something others consider basic necessities to save money or better yet, the environment?”

Dr. Dean presents Success: My Search For 5% Cash Back Gas Card! posted at Dr. Dean’s TheMillionaireNurse.com Blog, saying, “Nothings more frugal than cutting costs on the things you have to spend on regularly. This credit card will help me cut costs because it pays me %5 when I spend on gas.”

BackTaxesHelp.com presents Injured Spouse Relief: Qualifications & How to Apply posted at Back Taxes Help Blog.

vh presents Prius Batteries: Yikes! posted at Funny about Money, saying, “A hybrid saves a lot on gas, but a hidden cost pretty well negates that saving, over the long run.”

Peter presents YNAB (You Need A Budget) 3 Budget Software Review: Zero Based Budgeting Made Easy posted at Bible Money Matters, saying, “One budgeting software that I’ve heard quite a bit of positive feedback about is You Need A Budget, a desktop budgeting software. Here’s my full review.”

Jim Yih presents Does Groupon help me save or spend? posted at Retire Happy Blog, saying, “Does Groupon help me save money or spend money? While there are some great deals, the sales might convince you to impulse shop.”

Mr. Money Smarts presents How To Avoid The Capital Gains Tax posted at Smart On Money, saying, “Investments are difficult enough without losing huge portions of your investments to taxes. Here’s how to legally avoid taxes on your capital gains.”

Tom presents Increasing The Lifespan Of Appliances posted at StupidCents, saying, “To save money by increasing the lifespan of appliances and reducing repairs, we make sure our appliances are properly cleaned and maintained.”

Glen presents Sesame Street and Teaching Kids About Money – For Me, For You, For Later posted at Parenting Family Money, saying, “See how sesame Street is working to help parents teach their kids about money.”

Cecil Dellison presents Target Set to Offer 5 Percent Discount to Target Credit Card Users | Clearchoicecreditcards posted at Clear Choice Credit Cards.

Tim Chen presents Considering a Medical Credit Card? Proceed with Caution posted at NerdWallet Blog – Credit Card Watch, saying, “Medical emergencies drain your time, energy, emotional strength and, unfortunately, savings. Under pressure for urgent and unaffordable care, many patients are turning to medical credit cards.”

Beth from SmartFrugality presents Getting Rid of Your Stuff posted at Smart Frugality, saying, “Selling and donating items that are cluttering up your home can add money to your wallet and increase your peace of mind.”

Liss presents Fast food on a friday: Easy satay chicken with dipping sauce – mix once! posted at Frills in the Hills, saying, “A great recipe to avoid those expensive takeaways -and no making a separate dipping sauce – make it all at once! Simple tasty and cost 1/5 of the cost of takeout thai satay!”

Mama Squirrel presents My catalogue, my friend? (and a bonus frugal link) posted at Dewey’s Treehouse.

Saving money is not a phrase that is typically associated with vacation. However, during these tough economic times saving money is absolutely necessary. You might wonder how you can have a really great vacation while still saving money, but it is possible. In fact, some of the best vacations are not the ones where the most money is spent. The best vacations combine doing interesting things along with just relaxing and enjoying your family and friends.

photo credit: dkjd

Your vacation destination has a lot to do with how much money you spend. In general the farther you go away from home the more you will have to spend on your vacation. Obviously, air travel is often prohibitively expensive so consider a destination that is within driving distance of your home. You can make the trip exciting by stopping at attractions along the way or packing picnic lunches that allow you to enjoy beautiful scenery and break up a long car ride. Also, keep in mind that the best way to get somewhere is not necessarily by driving as fast as possible. Not only is not not safe it is also no the best financial choice. Most modern cars get the best gas mileage when they travel between 55 and 65 miles per hour. If you want to spend less on gas, travel at those speeds as much as possible.

Your destination affects your budget in another way too, more popular usually means more money. Yes, everyone wants to go to the big amusement parks or beach on vacation which is why it costs more to go to those places. Instead, consider going to a less popular but still fun destination. State and national parks are usually very inexpensive and offer loads of activities and programs that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. You will also find that getting away from the crowds instead of going to them will make your vacation far more enjoyable.

Eating is another vacation budget buster.

We are all tempted to overeat on vacation because there are usually lots of good and new foods to try. However, all of that food comes at a big price that is often not budgeted in to your vacation. Instead of just eating wherever you happen to pass try coming up with a pre-set plan of places you would like to eat. There are lots of smart phone applications and websites that can help you find places to eat that suit your budget. Also, if you are staying in a hotel look for one that offers a free breakfast. If one is not available stock your hotel room with breakfast foods and just eat there. It is easier and faster then going out for breakfast anyway, especially with children.

Discount Programs for Vacations

Before you book a hotel or buy any tickets ask about discount programs. If you are a member of AAA, AARP, the military, or a teacher you may be entitled to significant discounts. Some places offer discounts for joining their preferred customer programs. Usually it is free to join but if there is a cost make sure it is worth the discount you will get.

Go Small Often

The last bit of advice when it comes to a family vacation is to consider going on a few small vacations rather then one big one. If you live within driving distance of a few great places why not scatter several long weekends to see them throughout the summer instead of going away for one long stretch. This way you will get several breaks, see lots of places, and probably spend a lot less money.

Ng is a personal finance writer, and has a real passion for encouraging people to compare credit cards to ensure they get the best deal. Check out his comprehensive guide to low interest credit cards where he provides an in-depth overview and analysis, to help you find a better deal.

This is a guest post bys Debbie from YesDebtFree.

Living a debt free life can be emphasized more by leading a simple life. Simpler life does not mean cutting down on your expenses, but removing all that is useless. You have to be saner when you are spending your money. Today if you save, it will give you a secure tomorrow.

photo credit: www.jeremylim.ca

Debts are a common problem.

If you survey, you will find these stories in every second household. So there is nothing to be ashamed of. You have run out of money, not life. If you face a problem, there will be a solution as well. Across the nations, debts bring the news of an impending disaster. But what if you could ward off debts from your life?

Debts can be warded off when you resort to conventional solutions and the other when you try to prevent yourself from getting into debts. It is seen that debtors search for advice or run behind various debt management agencies to get out of debt. But you could also pull back the reigns of your finances with an effective budget. When you are making a household budget, make sure you involve your kids or your teenager kids. They are the ones who need to understand what you are doing and why you are doing. But if you snap at them, they will move away from you. So call them and make them feel that their thought matters while you are taking any decisions regarding money.

Seek Input

Ask suggestions from your kids when you are deciding to make a purchase. See what they say and then tell them how expensive things are and that you need to control in order to save more money for their good life. Explain them that you have to work the whole day to earn for them. If you treat them with love and care, they will definitely realize these issues. To make them happy, give them some pocket money just to show you care. Another way to