After the Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie have been reduced to leftovers, football games are over, and the family is headed home, the holiday season officially begins. Serious shoppers sort through a mountain of advertisements to plan for the big day. For many bargain hunters, holiday sales the day after Thanksgiving really get the adrenalin going.
While smart shopping is important every month, the stakes are especially high the month after Thanksgiving. Starting your holiday shopping early helps,. But with a little forethought, even procrastinators can benefit from shopping smart.
Shopping smart means developing a sound spending plan for the holidays. With economic conditions still shaky, now is NOT the time to pile up a lot of holiday debt. Know how much money you can reasonably afford to spend. To avoid financial problems in 2012, limit your spending to the cash you have set aside for the season.
Think creatively. Belt-tightening is in, wasteful spending is out. Remember, it is the thought that counts. Home-made gifts, whether food, clothing or crafts, may be appreciated more than a something purchased at a big box store. Gifts of time for baby-sitting, car-washing or house-cleaning may also be well-received.
Your holiday spending plan is not just about the gifts you plan to buy. Remember to include parties, greeting cards, charitable giving, clothes to wear to holiday functions and other things that make your holiday season joyful.
At the store, keep your spending plan and shopping list in hand. Think carefully about each purchase. Avoid deciding on an item in the spur of a moment. Think about your needs and the amount of money you have.
Comparison shop by store, brand and model, features, charges for installation, service and delivery. Sometimes the cost to use and maintain an item makes selecting a more expensive model the better choice.
Conserve gasoline, use the phone and internet to find information. Particularly for gifts you need to send out of town, it is often cheaper to order the desired items and direct ship to the recipient.
Shop carefully for bargains. Examine factory seconds and irregulars carefully. Read labels, seals, tags and instruction books. Get the facts before you buy. Expect to pay a fair and reasonable price for goods and services. Bargains that sound too good to be true usually are just that. Spending only as much as you can afford will make the holidays better for you and your family – even if they do not receive everything they wanted.
Questions??? Call me in Columbus at 706.653.4200.
Joanne
saveadime.wordpress.com 