COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the unemployment rate high and the economic recovery still not in full swing, millions of Americans are seeking ways to enjoy the holidays without finding themselves buried by a pile of bills in the New Year.

That's why Huntington Bank has created a "Checkin' It Twice List" (https://www.huntington.com/checktwice) that can easily be completed now to determine what you have in savings, what you still owe, how much you have to spend and how you can save money this holiday season.

"At Huntington, we know that families have just come through a very tough year," said Mary Navarro, senior executive vice president and regional banking group president. "Even with the holidays just around the corner, it is not too late to determine what you can afford to spend this holiday season. At Huntington we advise that you create a budget, check it twice and pledge to stick to it."

Huntington's "Checkin' It Twice List":

• Visit https://www.huntington.com/checktwice where you will find a free interactive tool to help you determine what you can spend this holiday season. Enter how much you will earn between now and mid-December. Then follow the prompts to determine how much you owe. Whatever is left over will give you an idea of what you have to budget for the holidays.

• Channel Your Inner Scrooge: Take a week to write down all of the extras you spend money on during the day, including lattes, gum, soda, magazines and candy. At the end of a week, total it up and see what you can save. For example, if you eliminate those two lattes a day for four weeks, you will have $60 extra to spend on the holidays. Pack your lunch for the next month, and you might have an additional $100 for gifts.

• Determine your debt tolerance: If you haven't paid off your credit card in full, it is time to rethink holiday shopping. The longer you delay making a full payment, the more you owe. For example, if you owe $2,000 on your credit card at an interest rate of 18% and pay only $35.00 a month, it will take you more than 10 years to pay it off. If this describes your credit card bill, think about making gifts this year.

• Let your fingers do the clicking. Go online and look for retailers that have free shipping during the holiday season. Online shopping can keep you out of the stores and away from the urge to impulse buy.

• They are not just your grandmother's coupons: Clipping coupons is no longer passe. Find deals in the newspaper. Go online to your favorite retailers to search for coupons. For example, 10 cans of tuna fish for $10 will help you save $10. That's more than enough to stuff a stocking.

If you stick to your budget and buy only what is on your list, you can begin 2010 with healthier finances and renewed hope for the New Year.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN - News) is a $53 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Huntington has more than 143 years of serving the financial needs of its customers. Through our subsidiaries, including our banking subsidiary, The Huntington National Bank, we provide full-service commercial and consumer banking services, mortgage banking services, equipment leasing, investment management, trust services, brokerage services, customized insurance service program, and other financial products and services. Our over 600 banking offices are located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Huntington also offers retail and commercial financial services online at huntington.com; through its technologically advanced, 24-hour telephone bank; and through its network of almost 1,400 ATMs. The Auto Finance and Dealer Services group offers automobile loans to consumers and commercial loans to automobile dealers within our six-state banking franchise area. Selected financial service activities are also conducted in other states including: Private Financial Group offices in Florida; and Mortgage Banking offices in Maryland and New Jersey. International banking services are available through the headquarters office in Columbus and a limited purpose office located in both the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong.