Do you hear that? It’s the sound of Christmas jingles in the distance, combined with our hard-earned pennies being tipped down the drain.

Oh yes, it’s the time of year that makes most women sweat bullets – but it doesn’t need to be.

Thanks to Kathy Sheeran – shopping aficionado and mastermind behind ShoppingConfessions.com.au – our nights of stress-filled late trade shopping are numbered. So please, crack open the champagne and hand me a Xmas BonBon.

Our nights of stress-filled late trade shopping are numbered. (Image: iStock)

With these five simple, bloomin' SMART shopping tips, we're all set to make this Chrissy a relaxed, money-savin' affair.

1. Make a list and check it twice.

It sounds obvious, but hear Kathy out.

Making a spreadsheet which lists every person you need to buy for, and the budget for their present, "

Going in unprepared is a cardinal sin as far as Christmas shopping goes.

You heard the woman, hop on Excel and get prepared people!

2. Start early. (Like... right now.)

If you have any hope of snagging a bargain, get shopping RIGHT NOW. Kathy explains that the closer we get to Christmas, the more prices are hiked up.

The last thing you want is to spend the few days leading up to Christmas fretting over gifts, so Kathy advises you get your present shopping out of the way ASAP.

Hear, hear!

3. Shop online, not in-store.

Yep, in utterlydelightfulnews, the shopping expert says you need to ditch traditional shopping altogether. (Anything I can do in my pyjamas while drinking a glass of wine is A-OK by me Kathy, say no more.)

Anything I can do in my pyjamas while drinking a glass of wine is A-OK by me. (Image: iStock)

"Don’t drive around looking for a car spot in peak hour, you’ll only get agitated,” Kathy says. "You'll be too worried about getting home and making dinner and so on, rather than focusing on the job at hand.

"Online shopping is a lot easier and less stressful, leaving you with lots more time to browse. You're almost guaranteed to do less impulse buying."

If you'rejust not an online shopper,Kathy advises you go on a public holiday when the queues are much more manageable, like Melbourne Cup Day.

4. Use cashback sites.

Kathy says cashback websites, which reward you for online shopping, are a good way to save money heading into Christmas time.

She tells me while cashback sites are huge in the US and UK, they've been slower to kick off in Australia, but that's slowly changing. Kathy recommends C

5. Don't be afraid to ask.

It's time to swallow your fear and ask to speak to the manager, you guys.

What are your tips for saving money this Christmas? Let us know in the comments...