Shopportunist: Ways to start stashing cash for the holidays

The crispiness in the air portends a lot of things: The onset of autumn, an impending patchwork of colorful foliage, shorter days and the subtle creeping in of Christmas.

It's technically summer. Football season just started and we still have weeks of snuggling up in cozy sweaters while sipping pumpkin spice lattes ahead of us. Yet, September is when many retailers quietly raise the curtain on the holiday shopping season with early Christmas displays, familiar festive tunes, signage and sales promotions.

Ignore the buildup to Black Friday all you want, but now - before the summer tan fades and the first leaf falls - is a good time to get finances in order because the most wonderful time of year can also be the most expensive.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent roughly $1,000 on average for gifts, candy and decor. That means some among us (cough, cough) are probably spending around $2,000. So, if you're interested in some painless ways to cut costs and pocket potentially hundreds of extra dollars for the holidays, here are some ideas.

Automate savings. $140. The easiest and most effective way to save is automatically. America Saves, a subsidiary of the Consumer Federation of America, suggests having your employer direct a certain amount from your paycheck each pay period to a savings account. You can also have your bank or credit union transfer a set amount from your checking to a savings vehicle. If you can stash aside $10 a week - the cost of two Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Lattes - you'll have $140 set aside by Christmas. Not sure you can spare extra cash? Toss the spare change from your pocket or purse into a jar, and don't spend it. Every little bit helps. If you save 50 cents a day in loose change a day, you'll have about $45 by...