Q: The holiday season is approaching, and I know I'll spend more than I planned. How can I maintain control this year?

A: The holiday shopping frenzy is a classic example of "mind over money." For sure, you know what you can and can't afford to spend this holiday season. But just as surely as a meal of turkey and stuffing leads to a nap on the couch, those big red signs with the word "SALE" can turn your self-discipline into desire.

One must exercise self-discipline when seeing those big red signs with the word "SALE" in order to avoid overspending this holiday season.

There is nothing I can write that will work if you aren't aware of this process. Retailers count on it. The idea of consumers stampeding into stores brings to mind a herd of sheep running blindly and following each other off a cliff!

So I'll give you some Terry's Tips for holiday shopping -- or holiday saving. But unless you add the necessary ingredient of self-discipline, you can be sure that you'll be sorry in January when the bills come due. Attitude adjustment: I don't want to be your shrink here, but as you make your gifting list, ask yourself not only whom you are shopping for, but why you will be getting each person on your list a gift. Is it to show love? To overcome guilt? Simply an annual habit? Are you gifting competitively?