I’m guilty. I left my holiday shopping to the end of the year, and now, with the current economic crisis hitting every headline I see, I’m getting a little worried about how to make the holidays special for those I normally treat with gifts. I’m not ready to forego holiday gift-giving altogether, so below find my plan on shopping smarter this year:
-Make a list and a budget. This may be an oldie, but it sure is a goodie. Your list should include the people you want to buy gifts for, the extra you will spend on food and beverages with visitors dropping by, holiday decorations, extra travel, holiday card purchases, even postage. Your list needs to be full of detail if you’re going to make the idea of sticking to a budget work. Once you determine what you can afford for each person – stick to that amount. I know it’s hard, but it’s the only way you can protect your savings. No one wants to be paying off holiday debt in June.
-Research deals online. If you can buy discounted gift certificates from local merchants, do it. This is your money we’re talking about. Know what things costs and where the best deals are before you even leave your house. The Internet can really be your friend in this process. But you knew that already!
-Sales are only valuable if you were going to buy the item to begin with. If you were not planning on needing that cute new pair of gloves, you just spent more than you should have. Just because it’s on sale, does not make it a bargain for your wallet.
-Know return/exchange policies BEFORE you buy. If you’re buying gifts it’s important to know this. Many retailers offer gift receipts… I encourage you to keep them or even enclose them with the gift. It makes everyone’s life a lot easier in the long run, and if an item gets discounted after you bought it… your recipient still gets the full value of what you spent, as opposed to the new discounted price.
-Avoid my biggest mistake while holiday shopping. What is it you ask? Buying for myself. That’s what it is. I recommend putting off personal purchases until after the holiday season. You’ll know exactly where your budget stands, and you’ll reap the benefits of after-holiday markdowns.
-Sales are only valuable if you were going to buy the item to begin with. If you were not planning on needing that cute new pair of gloves, you just spent more than you should have. Just because it’s on sale, does not make it a bargain for your wallet.
-Know return/exchange policies BEFORE you buy. If you’re buying gifts it’s important to know this. Many retailers offer gift receipts… I encourage you to keep them or even enclose them with the gift. It makes everyone’s life a lot easier in the long run, and if an item gets discounted after you bought it… your recipient still gets the full value of what you spent, as opposed to the new discounted price.
-Avoid my biggest mistake while holiday shopping. What is it you ask? Buying for myself. That’s what it is. I recommend putting off personal purchases until after the holiday season. You’ll know exactly where your budget stands, and you’ll reap the benefits of after-holiday markdowns.
Most important this holiday season: try to minimize stress. Be true to yourself on what your budget can allow. This season is about togetherness, family times and good cheer. Try to enjoy those parts above all else.
-reenie
2 comments:
Yes I agree with everything you have said here.
Definitely a good point about sale items, I often feel like I'm getting such a good deal that I never stop to think if I actually wanted the item before I went shopping...
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