Is your holiday gift shopping in high gear? Are you racking up charges that will linger all year? Here's how to put on the ?brakes? and to avoid some common mistakes. First make a list of who you want to buy for, and what you can afford or want to spend on each. Then, before you quick-draw your credit card, try asking people what they?d like or need. It saves shopping time and guesswork. Often you'll find it's far less expensive than what you would have bought. Also ?creative?gifts are budget-friendly, and usually much appreciated -- like a coupon for three nights of babysitting, a few movie rentals with popcorn or guide books for a trip you know the recipient has booked.