The holiday season is almost here so there is no time like the present to start saving money for those Christmas presents, turkey dinners and holiday parties. Make this Saturday a thrifty day and instead of spending money at Starbucks, the movies or the local bookstore, try to save it instead. Want some ideas? Here are a few, including getting a head start on Christmas!

Start your Save Money Saturday with this healthy energetic and filling Banana-Almond Power Smoothie!

Cut 2 bananas into quarter size pieces
In a blender combine 3/4 vanilla soy milk, 1 Tbs. almond butter, 1 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, bananas and 3 ice cubes.
Mix until smooth then pour and enjoy!

Next, try shopping some garage sales but only buy items you will use later for Christmas presents! Think picture frames, baskets, trinkets, vases, unique jars, classic books, etc.

After bringing home your treasures, take an invigorating walk before eating lunch.

Make a simple lunch with left-overs in your refrigerator, or make a simple salad (save the money--no take-out or fast food!!)

Go to the library and rent some movies for later, and check out some craft books to browse through and get ideas for some homemade Christmas presents this year.

Take a long hot bath and pamper yourself with some home made beauty treatments.

Make some soup or pasta for dinner (keep saving the money here....no dinner out this Saturday!) and curl up to watch the movies you rented from the library.

Make your Christmas List and jot down ideas for each person on your list.

Start reading the library books for make-yourself- gift -ideas and make notes.

Make a plan to spend Sunday cleaning out closets, your garage and attic-- maybe you will find items to take to a consignment store, have your own garage sale next weekend, or even find some forgotten about items that you can use for those Christmas presents!

Get a good night sleep counting dollars you saved today instead of those sheep!!