This story is provided and presented by our sponsor Pioneer Services, the military division of MidCountry Bank, which has provided financial services to the men and women of the Armed Forces for nearly 30 years. For more information, visit PioneerServices.com.

Make your holiday dollars go farther this year with our Holiday Spending Planner! Below are links to a wealth of information, from blogs and articles that can help you save money, to financial calculators that can assist you in tracking and planning your spending, and even some shopping sites to make it easier to find what you want.

MONEY SAVING BLOGS AND GUIDES

The holidays are when people tend to overspend, which means the bills keep coming long after the decorations are put back into storage. The following provide some ways you can save this holiday season.

  • Make the most out of your holiday dollars—It's important to know your limit before you start to shop—that way your holiday cheer doesn't turn into a holiday debt hangover. This blog will give you some tips and tricks on how to spend wisely this season.
  • Last minute gift ideas—Give great gifts just in time that are thoughtful and timeless and totally do-able! We have ideas on what you can make or buy that is quick and affordable, but also fun and memorable
  • Make room for the holidays in your budget—Millions of Americans get carried away with their holiday spending each year as the joy of giving leads to the sorrows of high debt. These tips can help you save money and ensure the holiday season is truly bright.
  • Playing your gift cards right—Odds are you'll be giving or receiving a gift card this year. This post covers the laws governing gift cards and other considerations to keep in mind.
  • Holiday financial hangover—The holidays were a time of giving—but sometimes all YOU get is a big pile of debt. Find out how to catch up with Christmas, and some of the best ways to avoid a repeat next season by spending and saving wisely.

CALCULATORS

Failure to plan is planning fail, so make sure you have a handle on just how much you can really afford with these calculators. (Note: These are not operated by Pioneer Services and are provided for general information only.)

  • Holiday spending calculator (Bankrate.com)—While somewhat simple, it includes a number of items many people forget to plan for during the holidays, such as food and decorations. And it's from Bankrate, which is a very trusted site.
  • Holiday budget calculator (From PracticalMoneySkills.com)—This calculator takes a different approach: instead of asking you to list what you'll spend on each item, it asks for your total holiday budget up front. Then, as you add in figures, it does the calculations to see how you're doing.

FUN HOLIDAY LINKS

From interesting facts and figures to ways deployed military members have enjoyed the holidays, these take a look at the lighter side of the season.

  • Christmas by the numbers—Most numbers associated with the holiday season revolve around how many people are on your shopping list and the amount of your gift budget. This infographic highlights a few other interesting and notable numbers surrounding the holiday season.
  • Holiday safety—The holidays are joyous time—one to spend with family and friends at home, not worrying about falls and fires and trips to the ER. Find out how to keep your family safe and the season bright by following a few simple tips.
  • Holidays on the front lines—No matter where they're stationed or the conditions they're in, those on the front lines have found ways to celebrate the holidays—if only for a few hours. We take a look at how the holiday season has been spent throughout the years by our deployed heroes.

THE SEASON FOR GIVING

It's better to give than to receive, especially to those who need a hand up during tough times. The following are some charities to consider for your holiday giving:

A man passes by a TV news program with file footage of a North Korean rocket launch at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016. North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea on Wednesday South Korea's military said, the fourth reported weapons launch the North has carried out in about two weeks. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

  • Fisher House—This group provides free lodging for military families while their loved one receives treatment. They have locations around the country near military medical centers.
  • Homes for Our Troops—Their mission is to build specially-designed, mortgage-free homes for wounded service members.
  • Patriot PAWS—A small non-profit that trains service dogs for service members, and provides them at no cost.
  • Thanks USA—This group provides needs-based scholarships to children and spouses of military members.
  • Charity Navigator—A site that lets you search for non-profits and learn more about them, including where their funding comes from and where their money goes.
  • GuideStar—Similar to Charity Navigator, but provides slightly different information so you can make an informed giving decision.

Pioneer Services is not responsible for the content contained on any third party website.

This story is provided and presented by our sponsor Pioneer Services. For more information, visit

PioneerServices.com.

©2015 Pioneer Services. No U.S. military endorsement is implied.