The holiday shopping season is about to get underway, marking a time when many Americans use credit cards and incur debt to purchase gifts, food and travel.

While the holidays can be costly, Bankrate credit card expert Ana Staples says there are ways to minimize the strain on wallets.

One of her first suggestions is to start shopping early. She said procrastination can lead to higher costs from taxes, shipping and reduced availability.

“This way, a good deal can actually dictate your spending instead of the shipping times and things like trying to get what you want on time,” she said.

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For those who will rely on credit cards, Staples suggests considering a new account with a 0% introductory

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