Holidays are a great time to shop and enjoy local events.
All of the latest brands, newest technology, and deals seem to converge during
the holidays. Despite the great joy of holiday shopping there also comes with
it considerable stress. With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas season jumping
forward we have only a few precious weeks to get our affairs in order. You may
want to consider a few tips before getting started.
-Make a List and
Check it Twice: Think through the things you want to buy. Having a list
will help ensure you are not distracted by all the extra stuff. The list should
contain the most expensive items you desire to purchase. You likely don’t want to
list little Johnny’s socks.
-Create a Budget:
It is best to look at how much you are willing to spend before the holiday season.
Separate this budget into the big ticket item pool and the loose leaf pool for
the small items you will inevitably buy but don’t have any specific plans for.
-Search Online for
the Best Deals: Sometimes you can find the best deals and purchase your
items online without ever needing to go to the store. If the prices are better
than what you can find in the store without any hassle go ahead and buy them.
-Know the Stores and the Products: When purchasing expensive
products it is beneficial to search online and find the stores that carry these
products and the price they charge. You may be shocked to see that the prices vary
widely.
-Create Your Schedule
and Plans: One you know the stores and the items they contain it can be
beneficial to pick days you are going to each store. Schedule plenty of time
for browsing, sitting around for coffee, eating lunch and enjoying your time.
This is a stress savor. Spread your shopping over the few weeks.
-Wrap your Gifts When
You Buy Them: After bringing home the gifts it is beneficial to wrap those
up quickly so sneaky little eyes don’t have a chance to browse. People will
keep walking by the tree every time something is added. You might find a little
joy when family members try and guess what is new. It also provides a pleasant atmosphere
for visitors.
-Save Money throughout
the Year: If you don’t want to max out your credit cards it is beneficial
to create an account and put your money away throughout the year. Interest
bearing accounts will give you a little extra money but don’t expect much.
Shopping is less stressful when the money is already available.
