The holiday season is just around the corner, and I'm freaking out! Last year, my husband and I overspent our budget for christmas shopping by $400. I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.

My question to everyone is how do you keep from overspending, and how much is acceptable to spend on each child for christmas?

with my Christmas shopping.

While the husband went on a road trip with his friend (to help him out) to Pennsylvania, I decided to do some online shopping. It beats waiting in long lines, and having the kiddos scream because they're bored. One thing I don't like about shopping online is that mostly everything I wanted were out of stock! I ended up having to buy presents from 5 different stores.

Wal-mart- $57.90
Target- $28.93
Toysrus- $85.94
Amazon- $27.83
Best Buy- $271.29
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Total - $471.89

Gifts left to purchase:

My 4 year old brother:
Transformers - $19.99
Incredible Hulk - $19.99
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Total - $39.98 (no tax on base)

My 15 year old brother-in-law:
America Express giftcard - $50.00
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Total - $53.00

I think that's pretty much it unless something else comes up.

Question for everyone who has kids! How much money is good to spend for kids on Christmas?

I'm contemplating on enrolling my four-year-old in PreK so that she can have a feel of how kindergarten is going to be like next year. I have mixed feelings about it because it's $72.00 a week, and I don't want to lose out on $288.00 I can be saving a month. Then again, I keep trying to tell myself that it's never a waste of money when it comes to your child's education, but is PreK really needed?

from grocery shopping at the commissary, and I'm kinda irritated at myself for spending $150 on what's supposed to be a weeks worth of food.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to cut down on grocery cost?