KEEP THESE IN MIND AS YOU DO YOUR LAST MINUTE SHOPPING

#1.)  DON'T BUY EXTENDED WARRANTIES.  They can cost hundreds of dollars, and you don't always need one.  In fact, you usually don't.  So be careful, especially in the electronics department.  And ask to read the warranty before you sign it.

#2.)  DON'T GET TRICKED INTO OVER-BUYING.  Retailers put related products near each other so you'll buy one, then buy the other without thinking about whether you really need it or not.

#3.)  DON'T SHOP AT THE END OF THE AISLE.  When you're at stores like Target and Wal-Mart, don't assume something's on sale just because it's featured at the end of an aisle.  They KNOW that's what you think, so they put full-priced items there instead.

#4.)  BEWARE OF BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE SALES.  If you really do need two, then it's probably a great deal.  But if it's something you can't use and don't need, then you're only buying it because it's on sale . . . which means you're wasting money.

#5.)  READ THE RETURN POLICY.  A lot of major retailers print it on the back of the receipt.  And some charge a restocking fee if you bring something back and the factory seal is broken.