Everyone knows and understands how stressful the holiday season can be. What shouldn’t be stressful is budgeting for holiday gifts. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift, or doing last minute shopping, it should be fun and affordable. Here are six helpful tips to help not break the bank this holiday season:
Make a Gift List – This may be the best advice out there: make a list before you begin shopping. This is especially helpful if you procrastinate. You may feel overwhelmed when you’re shopping, and a list can be used for a quick reference.
Establish a Specific Budget – Plan ahead to prevent overspending. Prior to doing your holiday shopping, determine the total amount of money you want to spend - or even better, set a budget per person. If you can avoid using credit cards, opt for cash instead.
Compare Online and In-store – These days virtually anything can be purchased online, but that doesn’t mean everything should. If online prices are significantly lower than in-store, that’s the way to go. However, it may be best to view, test and purchase more high-end items in a brick and mortar store. You can also always look up prices online while in the aisles. A lot of stores will even price match if you show an associate.
Factor in Shipping Costs – Some items may appear cheaper online rather than in-store, but then consider the cost of shipping. Many retailers offer free shipping if you purchase a certain amount of merchandise, which can be helpful if you need to buy items in bulk.
Amazon Prime – Amazon Prime is great for last minute holiday gifts. If you’re an Amazon Prime member you get free two-day shipping on certain items. If you don’t already have Amazon Prime no worries, they offer a free 30-day trial for first-time users.
Utilize Gift Cards – If you’re short on time or don’t have any other ideas, gift cards may be the way to go. A Visa® gift card is a perfect way to ensure your loved ones get exactly what they want.
Hopefully you found these holiday shopping tips useful. Have any other shopping tips? Please share them here.
Warm wishes this holiday season, and have a very happy New Year.
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Just For Fun
, Smart Spending
, Strategies for Saving
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