Officials with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service say there are several ways holiday shoppers can help control the amount of debt they accumulate during the gift-buying season. They are:

l Start shopping early. Waiting too long to finalize your holiday plans may mean you’ll pay more for a limited selection of gifts.

l Create a holiday budget. It should be sure to include not only money for gifts, but also decorations, holiday cards and gift wrapping expenses.

l Develop a credit plan. Record all your holiday charges in a book and then immediately begin paying them off.

l Do a holiday review. Total up your notebook ledgers and receipts to see where you saved money and what you can do better next year.

For more information, contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at (785) 234-0217.