Christmas dinner’s all done.
   
Now. You’ve got a lot of leftover turkey.
   
This Wallet Watch has some meal ideas to help you make the most out of the leftovers, keep things interesting and save money at the same time.
   
The first is turkey pot pies.
   
Just make a chicken pot pie and substitute your leftovers.
   
There’s Christmas salad.
   
Turn it into your own twist on chicken or tuna salad and use it for sandwiches.
   
You can try barbecue turkey.
   
Add some barbecue sauce and potatoes, then put it in a slow cooker while you go shopping or work around the house.
   
Another idea is white chili.
   
Forget the red meat, use turkey and white beans with your favorite chili recipe.
   
And, one more is turkey Alfredo.
   
Take chunks of turkey breast.
   
Throw them on a plate of noodles and top it with Alfredo sauce.

This is really as last-minute as last-minute gets.
   
Just when you thought everything was done, you realize it’s not.
   
Tonight’s Wallet Watch has some ways to skate by even after all the stores are closed.
   
You might find yourself in a Christmas eve crisis because you ran out of wrapping paper.
   
Make your own using any paper at all and make it as creative as you can.
   
Draw something yourself or print something off the internet and paste it to the paper.
   
Maybe you just realized you forgot a present for someone.
   
Buy a gift card for someone to use online.
   
In this case, that’s called an e-voucher.
   
You can even do it now.
   
Print it out, stick it in a card and have it ready to put under the tree.
   
If you don’t have the money for a gift, you can give something of yours.
   
We’re not talking about a basic re-gift of something you never use, but something you actually like that has personal value to you.

Wrap that as a gift.
 
It could be jewelry, music or a favorite book with your personal inscription.

Those are a few ways to avoid disaster on the holiday.

By now the shopping’s done—at least it better be.
   
However, you’re not alone if you spent more than you planned to.
   
This Wallet Watch helps you pay off that holiday debt.
   
Make a plan now.
   
Don’t let it sit for several months.
   
Determine the final total of how much you spent.
   
That will help you figure out how much you can afford to set aside every month to do it.
   
You must be committed and consistent in that payment.
   
If you have more money than expected any given month, use that to pay off the debt as well.
   
Keep doing it and you’ll get rid of the debt quickly.
   
If you stick to the habit after that, you can put the money into a savings account.

Maybe your only trip will be to take your best shot at those after Christmas sales.
   
It’s not a bad idea.
   
Here are some things you can expect to save money on in this Wallet Watch.
   
First, try toys.
   
Yes, toys.
   
You might have reached the overload point, but some of the things stores hoped would be “the big toy” this year will be much cheaper after the holiday.
   
Save them for birthdays or next Christmas.
   
Consider decorations.
   
Of course, you’ll be taking yours down.
   
Well, the stores have a lot of leftovers and will mark them down big time.
   
Check out the winter clothes.
   
Sweaters, coats and boots will all see big discounts.
   
That’s because most people are done with their winter shopping.
   
And, don’t’ forget the jewelry.
   
Call them toys for adults.
   
Discounts will run as high as 50% on watches, earrings and a lot more at department stores.

Stores are also ready for what comes after the holiday.
   
That’s all of those returns and exchanges.
   
This Wallet Watch tries to make sure you’ve got what you need to know if you’re giving something back.
   
First of all, take care of those returns as soon as possible especially if you’re making an exchange.
   
Lower inventory this year means it might be harder to find what you’re looking for if you wait too long.
   
You need to review store return policies.
   
Some things might be excluded and not accepted for returns.
   
Get the receipt from the person who gave you the gift.
   
There are stores that will let you slide without one, but plenty will not.
   
Find out if you have any credit card protection for your returns.
   
And, beware of return fees charged by stores.
   
A lot of them charge a re-stocking fee of 10% to 15% of the price.
   
Use this link to see some specific store policies:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/how-to-navigate-return-policies/#

We know there are still some procrastinators out there.
   
If you want to buy toys for a little one, there are plenty of affordable options.
   
Here are a few ideas for some award-winning toys that cost $20 or less in this Wallet Watch.
   
One is the “Bananagrams” word game. 

It won game of the year from the American Toy Industry.
   
“Citiblocks” is a set of red and blue pine building blocks that’s kind of a twist on the old “Lincoln Logs” and in this case environmentally friendly.
   
There’s Connect 4x4, which is a modern version of Connect Four.
   
Another one is called Crayola 3D Sidewalk Chalk.

The 3D glasses are included.
 
One more is “Elefun.“

It’s a fan that blows butterflies from an elephant’s body.
   
Man, how things have changed.
   
Here’s a link to the complete list of 20 award-winning toys for $20 or less.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/21/20-award-winning-toys-for-20-or-less/

There’s one financial challenge over the holidays that has nothing to buying gifts.
   
That’s how to handle flexible-spending accounts by the end of the year.
   
You have to use it or lose it.
   
This Wallet Watch has some ways to empty that account in time.
   
Get reimbursed for mileage on trips to medical care.
   
It’s worth 24-cents a mile.
   
You’ll probably need a list of dates you saw the doctor and a map with driving directions to satisfy your administrator.
   
Restock your first-aid kit with bandages, gauze and other essentials.
   
It’s all reimbursable.
   
Refill supplies of contact lenses and glasses.    Get ready for cold and flu season.
   
Buy cough drops, cough syrup and other things for your medicine cabinet.
   
And, pay now for medical expenses you’re going to need next year.

A lot of stores offer rebates to get you to buy things like computers and appliances.
   
They can be worth hundreds of dollars.
   
However, some businesses are changing the way you can redeem them.
   
We’ve got advice for getting the most out of them in this Wallet Watch.
   
A big change is that more stores are opting for rebates in the form of gift cards instead of checks that you can cash.
   
Whenever you buy something that qualifies for a rebate, have an employee explain how it works and make sure you understand the instructions.
   
Redeem it immediately so that you don’t miss any deadline.
   
Keep the box the product came in so that you have the UPC bar code.
   
And, make copies of everything to maintain a record of what you sent to the manufacturer.

You could call 2009 the year to buy a car.
   
First, there was Cash for Clunkers.
   
Now, it’s time for end of year sales.
   
The deals available now are actually better than they were for cash for clunkers because the end of year sales typically involve the outgoing models.
   
However, Cash for Clunkers depleted most of the 2009 model inventory.
   
If you walk into a showroom now, you’ll see 0% financing and cash back offers.
   
Analysts say the incentives will stabilize when the car market does.

After Christmas could be the best time to shop for some things, especially if you are looking for holiday items.
That’s lights, ornaments, wrapping paper. They will be drastically reduced.
Another good thing to look for is deep discounts on cloths, sporting equipment, electronics and the like. Then stock up on these and hold them for next Christmas.
But always remember most of these are “final sales” so if you think you may need to return them, check out the stores return policy.

Here is a link to a story that might help:
http://local.youngmoney.com/Are_You_Really_Saving_Money_at_the_After_Christmas_Sale-a1213858.html