In celebration of the holiday shopping season kicking into high gear, I thought it would be rather fitting to bring forth an unwaivering miniboss of sorts that plagues all who purchase games and the systems needed to play them on. Yes, I am talking about Money. Money makes the world go 'round, and according to Pink Floyd, it's a hit. But some of us out there feel our wallets lightening and our bank accounts emptying recently with the slew of top-notch games being released week after week. What's an average gamer supposed to do?

Like it or not, everyone wants your money, kid. $60 here for a game, $10 there for downloadable content for said game, and maybe even another $40 for an extra controller to play with a buddy. Within a matter of minutes, the once humble sales total has now jumped quite a bit, hasn't it?  Wait until next week when another title you forgot about comes out, and you're left with pennies in your pocket and a goose-egg in your checking account.

Though Money is a formidible foe in the gamer's heart, there are many ways to escape its suffocating grasp. I won't get into specifics, but we all have our own personal ways of saving some coin while still getting what we wanted. Sometimes, though, Money just can't be defeated and we must succumb to its unrelenting torment.

What about the rest of you? How are your wallets (and your spirits) after the onslaught of awesome that has been the past few months? Found a loan shark? I might just need one to make it through this holiday.