After the holidays, we can all use some tips to save. If the holiday season has left you feeling over-budget, take advantage of these ways to cut back in January.

1. Look for Discount Gift Cards. There are a number of websites that provide discounted gift cards to savvy online shoppers. When looking for discount gift cards, only shop at sites that you trust. Below are three reputable online stores that offer discount gift cards for a good price.

Giftcards.com: Discounts with Giftcards.com may go as high as 35% off. Physical cards must be sent through the mail which costs extra, so the best way to save money is by purchasing discount codes and shopping online exclusively.

Gift Card Granny: Gift Card Granny allows users to buy and sell gift cards for over 1,000 retailers. Discounts are available through major online and brick and mortar retailers, so you can buy gift cards for your favorite stores.

Cardpool: Cardpool offers deep discounts and gives you the ability to print your own gift card, so you won't have to pay shipping on cards for brick and mortar stores. Like many of the other online gift card discount suppliers, Cardpool offers gift cards from major merchants that sell necessities like toilet paper, cleaning products, clothes and more.

#1 Tip for smart shopping: Only buy discounted gift cards for stores where you were already planning to shop. Check back with your favorite sites on a regular basis, as deals can change day by day.

If you do start buying gift cards to save money, be aware that some people spend more freely with gift cards than they do with cash. Stay frugal and buy only what you need. Make a list in advance of shopping so you can buy only those items on your list. Avoid purchasing anything extra just because you're paying with a gift card.

2. Shop at Thrift Stores. After the holidays, many people clean out their house to make room for the presents they received over the holidays. Swamped with donations in December, thrift stores put out new inventory in January. Shopping at thrift stores at this time of year is a great way to get necessary items like clothes, sheets, shoes and even furniture.

#2 Tip for smart shopping: If you're shopping for something particular, stop in at thrift stores weekly. Inventory turns over quickly, as many people continue to make large donations throughout the early part of the new year.

Pay special attention to thrift stores that offer sales and deals. For example, some thrift stores will offer an additional discount to items with a certain tag color. Stop in throughout the month to take advantage of discounts as they occur.

3. Look for Holiday Returns and After Christmas Sales. After Christmas, some stores will discount holiday returns to get once-opened items off their shelves. After Christmas sales are also popular as stores try to coax shoppers to spend after the frenzy of the holidays. You can enjoy good savings in many major retail stores throughout the month of January.

#3 Tip for smart shopping: While you're out and about, you may see good deals on holiday gifts for next year. Buy now and stash them away. This alleviates some of the pressure and gives you a head start on next year's holiday shopping.

As always, only buy what you need. Don't buy discounted goods just for the sake of saving money: buy with purpose.

To find the best sales, check your local papers and websites for your favorite retail stores. Head out with a plan. Avoid going to stores without knowing what kind of sales they're offering or what you want to buy there. Staying on task will help ensure that you buy only what you need and nothing more.

4. Refresh Your Budget. Life changes from year to year, as does the cost of living. Take a moment to build a new budget for 2019. Include a plan to save money as well as a plan for spending. Incorporate these money-saving tips into your budget:

• Set aside a small amount of money monthly to build up your emergency fund.
  Save all of your loose change in a jar and add that money to your savings at the end of each quarter.
• Set limits for gift spending and entertainment spending.
• Impose a 24-hour rule on major purchases: don't buy anything over a certain amount unless you've thought about it for at least 24 hours.

Once your plan is fully developed, stick with it. If your plan starts to feel too strict or unrealistic, revisit it quarterly to make changes if they're needed.  Smart shopping and smart saving throughout 2019 will help you stay on track financially. Good luck and happy new year!