Associated Press - November 19, 2009 6:25 AM ET

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska home economists say that setting a holiday gift-giving budget could help financially strapped individuals and families weather the season.

Experts say the first step toward controlling the desire to buy everything for everyone is writing down the names of the people you want to give gifts, then decide whether you have to.

For those who remain on the list, set a spending limit for each.

Also, check your credit-card balances before deciding how much to spend on whom.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension has more moneysaving advice and budget tips on its Web site called Managing Tough Times, at http://www.toughtimes.unl.edu.

On the Net:

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: http://www.ianr.unl.edu.

Tough Times site: http://www.toughtimes.unl.edu.

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