**The gift card for this giveaway was provided by MasterCard. I was also provided a gift card as a thank you for posting. All opinions are my own.

I love the Christmas season and look forward to it each year. However, there are some stresses that come along with the holidays as well! Long lines, pushy salespeople, etc. This year, MasterCard is sharing simple tools to help alleviate some of the holiday chaos and stress, enabling you to Master the Season and take time back to enjoy with friends and family.


With the help from MasterCard's Holiday Guide, we can Master the Season. I was impressed with the variety of tips and information they provide and thought it would be useful to pass along with the shopping season upon us.

When it comes to finding the perfect gift:

  • Dining with a Top Chef? Box seats at the Super Bowl? MasterCard helps you give the gift of experience with its Priceless Cities program, which gives cardholders extraordinary experiences, exclusive offers and privileged access to culinary, shopping, sports, travel and entertainment events. 
  • Want to avoid the unfortunate yearly tradition of returning or re-gifting? Give your tweens or teen a SpendSmart MasterCard Prepaid card. The card will help teach how to budget and with instant text alerts, keep you connected as purchases happen.
When it comes to holiday shopping: 
  • Divide and Conquer - Don't do everything yourself. Empower your kids to make their own gift purchases. Set budget limits by loading a MYPLASH Reloadable Prepaid card for them - it works everywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted. 
  • Build a Budget - Write down how much you can afford for gifts, travel and other expenses. Use one credit or debit card for everything to help keep an accurate record. A prepaid card limits spending loaded on the card.
When it comes to holiday travel:
  • Fuel Your Trip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump. MasterCard's partnership with Fuel Rewards Network allows members to do just that.
  • Check Your Offers - Check with your membership associations or credit cards for special travel offers. For example, World and World Elite MasterCard cardholders get valuable saving, upgrades and experiences including 'best available price' across all travel categories - air, private jet, cruise, chauffeured car service or rental, packaged tours and concierge. 
For more information you can visit Priceless.com!

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a $50 MasterCard Prepaid Gift Card. (It is the company's policy to collect W9 forms when working with gift cards so please only enter the giveaway if you are comfortable with filling one out and sending it to the company if you win). 





79 comments
  1. Linda Kish November 11, 2013 at 11:08 PM  

    Build a Budget - Write down how much you can afford for gifts, travel and other expenses. Use one credit or debit card for everything to help keep an accurate record. A prepaid card limits spending loaded on the card.

  2. Rebecca Orr November 11, 2013 at 11:32 PM  

    The build a budget tip is my favorite. In this day and age, it can be really easy to go crazy and not pay attention to how much you spend on everyone. For me, it is easier to plan what to buy or make everyone when I have a clear and concise budget on hand.

  3. Unknown November 12, 2013 at 5:45 AM  

    I like the tip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump.

    Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  4. kellyr78 November 12, 2013 at 6:47 AM  

    I like the tip to empower your kids to make their own gift purchases by loading a prepaid card.

    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

  5. Unknown November 12, 2013 at 7:20 AM  

    Divide and Conquer - Don't do everything yourself. This would be great to get help.

  6. Unknown November 12, 2013 at 7:21 AM  

    GFC: smurfette
    Lisa Brown in RC

  7. Ash November 12, 2013 at 7:57 AM  

    I like the idea of empowering and encouraging kids to purchase some gifts themselves!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. Mami2jcn November 12, 2013 at 9:33 AM  

    I like the tip about joining a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump.

  9. Pink and Green Mom November 12, 2013 at 9:40 AM  

    My favorite tip is: Fuel Your Trip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump. MasterCard's partnership with Fuel Rewards Network allows members to do just that.

  10. JC November 12, 2013 at 9:53 AM  

    I like this tip- Give your tweens or teen a SpendSmart MasterCard Prepaid card.

  11. Wendy Rozema November 12, 2013 at 9:54 AM  

    I like Fuel Your Trip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump. MasterCard's partnership with Fuel Rewards Network allows members to do just that.

  12. akronugurl November 12, 2013 at 11:50 AM  

    i like Build a Budget

    freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

  13. Elena November 12, 2013 at 12:21 PM  

    My favorite tip:
    Fuel Your Trip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump.

  14. Tabathia B November 12, 2013 at 2:23 PM  

    I like the Give your tweens or teen a SpendSmart MasterCard Prepaid card

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  15. Anonymous November 12, 2013 at 2:49 PM  

    I love the set a budget limit tip!

  16. Unknown November 12, 2013 at 2:58 PM  

    I like the Fuel Your Trip tip.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

  17. Anonymous November 12, 2013 at 3:07 PM  

    I like the tip about getting help... that's something that I dont typically do!

  18. B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons November 12, 2013 at 3:10 PM  

    The fuel rewards network (lynn w on rafflecopter)

  19. BeeBubbaBella November 12, 2013 at 4:22 PM  

    My favorite tip is to use a fuel rewards card when traveling
    christine mayfield

  20. Amy W. November 12, 2013 at 7:12 PM  

    Build a Budget is my favorite tip.

  21. d schmidt November 12, 2013 at 7:14 PM  

    My favorite tip is :
    Don't do everything yourself. Empower your kids to make their own gift purchases. Set budget limits by loading a MYPLASH Reloadable Prepaid card for them

  22. cman November 12, 2013 at 7:16 PM  

    Build a Budget - Write down how much you can afford for gifts, travel and other expenses. Use one credit or debit card for everything to help keep an accurate record. A prepaid card limits spending loaded on the card.

  23. Bethany C. November 12, 2013 at 7:22 PM  

    Building a budget is always a good idea.

  24. Nancy November 12, 2013 at 7:28 PM  

    My favorite tip is the one that suggests your tween or teen use a SpendSmart MasterCard Prepaid card.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

  25. shirley November 12, 2013 at 7:28 PM  

    Like the-


    to avoid the unfortunate yearly tradition of returning or re-gifting? Give your tweens or teen a SpendSmart MasterCard Prepaid card. The card will help teach how to budget and with instant text alerts, keep you connected as purchases happen.

  26. dlhaley November 12, 2013 at 7:44 PM  

    My favorite tip is - Fuel Your Trip, join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump.

  27. s November 12, 2013 at 7:51 PM  

    The Build your Budget.

  28. Nebraska Hockey Mom November 12, 2013 at 7:52 PM  

    Build a budget...I like to stay on task....

  29. Cserafini November 12, 2013 at 8:05 PM  

    I like the build a budget.

  30. Tamara B. November 12, 2013 at 8:08 PM  

    My fave & brilliant idea too! Divide and Conquer - Don't do everything yourself. Empower your kids to make their own gift purchases. Set budget limits by loading a MYPLASH Reloadable Prepaid card for them

  31. won November 12, 2013 at 8:20 PM  

    As the mother of a teenager, I like the prepaid card suggestion the best. I know he'd be happy with this.

    Wendy T

  32. Unknown November 12, 2013 at 8:26 PM  

    I like the Fuel Your Trip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump. MasterCard's partnership with Fuel Rewards Network allows members to do just that.

  33. Anonymous November 12, 2013 at 8:32 PM  

    I like the Divide and Conquer - Don't do everything yourself. Empower your kids to make their own gift purchases tip best! ~ mia dentice carey

  34. Seyma Bennett Shabbir November 12, 2013 at 9:18 PM  

    I like the Divide and Conquer - Let the kids buy their own gifts!
    seyma_bennett@hotmail.com

  35. bayctygrl November 12, 2013 at 9:46 PM  

    I like the fuel rewards tip idea
    Hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com

  36. Jackie November 12, 2013 at 10:20 PM  

    Building a Budget is my favorite tip. It helps avoid overspending.
    Thanks!

  37. Shooting Stars Mag November 12, 2013 at 10:53 PM  

    I like the tip to build a budget before shopping!

  38. Unknown November 12, 2013 at 11:28 PM  

    building a budget before traveling is really good. This are great tips for my upcoming trip!!!

  39. Natalie U. November 12, 2013 at 11:40 PM  

    I like the prepaid MasterCard for teens

  40. Steph S November 12, 2013 at 11:42 PM  

    Wow, great contest. I can already imagine a thousand things I could spend it on! ;)

  41. Shelly Leatham November 13, 2013 at 12:41 AM  

    my face tip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump.

  42. janetfaye November 13, 2013 at 12:42 AM  

    I like Fuel Your Trip: Join a free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  43. skkorman November 13, 2013 at 7:31 AM  

    I'm all in favor of the "Build a Budget" tip!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  44. debbie November 13, 2013 at 7:36 AM  

    I like the build a budget idea.

  45. Unknown November 13, 2013 at 7:46 AM  

    I like the tip of using one card for all of your holiday expenses. That will give you an accurate account of exactly what you are spending and whether you are staying on budget.

  46. Heavensangel2387 November 13, 2013 at 8:10 AM  

    I like the fuel your trip by using the rewards loyalty programs available. I always use Kroger gas points!

  47. Carrie Phelps November 13, 2013 at 8:15 AM  

    The idea to Build a Budget works for me!

  48. Anna E. November 13, 2013 at 10:11 AM  

    I like that the card will help teach how to budget and with instant text alerts, keep you connected as purchases happen.

    supergirl198296atyahoo.com

  49. AStarrA November 13, 2013 at 11:37 AM  

    Give your tweens or teen a SpendSmart MasterCard Prepaid card

  50. Unknown November 13, 2013 at 4:47 PM  

    Build a Budget - Write down how much you can afford for gifts, travel and other expenses. Use one credit or debit card for everything to help keep an accurate record. A prepaid card limits spending loaded on the card.

  51. Anonymous November 13, 2013 at 7:15 PM  

    My favorite tips is: DIVIDE & CONQUER

    jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com

  52. Jennifer T. November 13, 2013 at 8:15 PM  

    I like the tip to Divide & Conquer. I try to do it all myself. I need to learn to give up a bit of control so it all gets done faster and with less stress.

  53. Barbara Montag November 13, 2013 at 8:48 PM  

    I like the Returning and regifting tip - thank you.

  54. Kelly Skibbe November 13, 2013 at 8:49 PM  

    I like the exclusive offers and privileged access to culinary, shopping, sports, travel and entertainment events.

  55. Barbara Montag November 13, 2013 at 8:50 PM  

    GFC Barbara Montag

  56. Kathy November 13, 2013 at 11:07 PM  

    I like the idea of empowering my kids to make their own gift purchases.

  57. lana November 14, 2013 at 1:27 PM  

    joining the free loyalty program

  58. lana November 14, 2013 at 1:27 PM  

    joining the free loyalty program

  59. Katie S November 14, 2013 at 1:41 PM  

    My favorite tip is to set a budget and then use a prepaid card for purchases. I've been worried about the holidays and how much money we have in our savings. I don't want to see more of it disappear than I had planned, and the only way to make sure that doesn't happen is to give myself a certain amount of money to spend and no more!

  60. mrsshukra November 14, 2013 at 4:47 PM  

    I like and follow BUILD A BUDGET! I start my list for next year's Christmas right after this year's Christmas!

  61. wigget November 15, 2013 at 9:44 AM  

    i like the fuel your trip tip

  62. s. November 15, 2013 at 10:02 AM  

    I really like the fuel rewards programs. I keep seeing them and I really need to get on board with it!

  63. Racingjourno November 15, 2013 at 2:23 PM  

    This tip:
    Free loyalty program that helps save money at the gas pump.

  64. marcia goss November 15, 2013 at 3:58 PM  

    I like the Build a Budget tip. I try to do this every year.
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

  65. Catherine R November 15, 2013 at 7:38 PM  

    My fav tip is Build a Budget - Write down how much you can afford for gifts, travel and other expenses.

  66. Unknown November 16, 2013 at 2:58 PM  

    Build a budget, if I don't do this tip I over do it!

  67. Teresa November 16, 2013 at 3:07 PM  

    I like building a budget and sticking to it.

  68. Stephanie Ann November 16, 2013 at 3:21 PM  

    Check Your Offers is the best tip for me

    stephanie ann

  69. steve weber November 16, 2013 at 9:42 PM  

    Build a budget is my favorite tip.

  70. Susan Christy November 17, 2013 at 4:31 PM  

    My favorite tip is to Build a Budget - Write down how much you can afford for gifts, travel and other expenses. Use one credit or debit card for everything to help keep an accurate record. A prepaid card limits spending loaded on the card.

  71. Jessica November 17, 2013 at 7:53 PM  

    I love the idea of using a prepaid card to budget for spending. Often it is easy to keep swiping and going while shopping and then regretting it later. That tip is fantastic! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  72. BeckyM November 17, 2013 at 9:50 PM  

    I like "Build a Budget"... I wouldn't survive without a budget!

  73. lmurley2000 November 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM  

    I like the tip divide and conqurer that means a lot to me

    lmurley2000@yahoo.com

  74. Unknown November 20, 2013 at 8:04 PM  

    I like the tip about getting rewards at the pumps. Rewards are always good!

  75. Melinda November 20, 2013 at 10:57 PM  

    My favorite tip is Check your Offers.

  76. Unknown November 21, 2013 at 9:32 AM  

    I like the tip about dividing up the shopping.

  77. jakiesmom November 21, 2013 at 11:03 AM  

    I like the divide and conquer tip

  78. Unknown November 21, 2013 at 3:31 PM  

    You must divide and conquer in order to have a successful shopping day.

  79. michedt November 21, 2013 at 10:51 PM  

    Build a Budget is the most helpful tip for us. It's so important not to overspend and so easy to do!
    Michelle Tucker

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