With the holidays upon us, people are busy shopping for gifts and decorations, planning meals, travel and more.  Surveys say people are optimistic about their personal finances this season.  Eighty percent of shoppers say they�ll spend more or the same as last year.  Using debit cards to track expenses is one tip to help consumers manage their holiday budgets.  Rick Lyons of MasterCard Debit:

�When you pay with MasterCard Debit, each purchase is automatically recorded � so you know how much you�ve spent without adding up receipts.  You can easily monitor your spending online, by phone, or through monthly bank statements.  Not surprisingly, most debit cardholders consider debit more convenient than cash, helping them focus their time on what matters most during the holiday season.�   

Debit cards are quickly growing in popularity because of their convenience and financial management benefits.  In fact, a MasterCard survey of debit card users found that the cards are the most popular way to pay for purchases between $20 and $100.

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