By Craig Joseph and Jae Bratton, NerdWallet The average consumer plans to shell out $1,778 on holiday expenses this year, according to Deloitte’s 2024 holiday retail survey. However, the same survey also noted that “all income groups are showing signs of frugality,” indicating that households continue to feel pressure from inflation. While searching for the best deals, remember that strategic use of credit cards can rev up your rewards — rewards that can translate into meaningful savings.