EVEN with the best intentions many people spend most of the New Year paying for their Christmas spending spree.

No one wants to feel like Scrooge, but breaking the bank at Christmas can lead to misery and expensive debts.

However, with planning, wise spending, and knowing how to make the most of our spending power the majority of us can enjoy the festive season without facing financial ruin in 2004. City of York Council Trading Standards offers advice to those hitting the shops this season.

Work out how much money you really do have available to spend, and then what you need to spend. For most of us there will be a gap between the two. If you don't want to borrow to bridge the gap adjustments will need to be made. It may be worth remembering the old saying that it is the thought and not the gift that counts for most of us. If so, you can make savings and then concentrate on those you have to spend more on.

Decide what gifts you are going to buy before you go shopping. It certainly pays to shop around for the best prices - there are savings to be made

Avoid buying unwanted gifts. Find out what people would like. Agree a mutual price limit to help you all budget

Don't feel you have to match the gifts you buy for friends and family pound for pound in light of the presents you may receive. A smaller luxury version of an inexpensive gift is better than a budget version of something bigger you cannot afford

Planning your meals ahead may save you money and lots of food and drink going to waste in the bin or down the drain

If you are thinking of borrowing money, or making extra use of your credit cards to spread the cost, there are ways to limit the financial burden. Some of the most expensive ways to borrow are unauthorised overdrafts, using store cards and not paying off the debt in full, and using credit cards with high interest charges, making late payments, and not clearing the balance at the end of each month

If you can't clear your credit card, save money by transferring your balance to a card offering a nought per cent interest period for balance transfers. Don't be tempted to spend more because new purchases will be charged at a higher rate and make sure you clear the balance before the interest free period ends.

We hope this advice will help readers and make shopping easier and cheaper. For further information about this, or any other consumer matter phone City of York Trading Standards on (01904) 551562 for advice or to make an appointment. You can also visit our website at www.york.gov.uk/business/trading standards

Updated: 16:38 Wednesday, December 03, 2003