Do your seasonal shopping AFTER the season and/or holiday. Most stores mark their seasonal/holiday items down up to 50% off after an event has ended. Stock up because items like wrapping paper, Valentine's day cards and other seasonal staples are expensive. Many stores, like Walmart and Target, have seasonal toy markdowns after Christmas because they have to make room for new items. Purchase these clearance items now and stash them away for birthdays and other holidays. You will save a ton of money by thinking ahead. The same theory applies for clothes. Purchase clothes at the end of a season for next year.