10 Tips to Help Handle Holiday Spending
December 4, 2008, 9:37 am
Community Service Organization Promotes Financial Fitness as the Holidays Approach
Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management is providing consumers with creative money saving tips as the holiday shopping season approaches. The recommendations reflect Springboard’s mission to provide and promote financial literacy for all consumers. Melinda Opperman. Springboard’s Vice President of Community Outreach advises, “By following our tips you’ll avoid starting the new year with new debt and the accompanying guilt about how much you spent.”
Opperman offers the following tips for shoppers who are feeling the gift-giving pinch this season:
1. Create a budget and a list for holiday spending and gift giving in advance of buying. Include possible gifts, dollar amounts, and alternative choices. Don’t forget expenses like holiday decorations, wrapping paper, cards and postage, plus extra food costs for parties and family gatherings. Knowing how much you can truly afford to spend is a crucial first step in controlling costs.
2. Establish spending limits for gifts for each person on your list and start looking for bargains early. Stick to your list and spending limits to avoid overspending.
3. If it has been a challenging year financially, you may need to shrink your holiday gift list. Begin by talking with those you exchange gifts with, perhaps suggesting not exchanging gifts or mutually observing much lower dollar limits on gifts.
4. Separate shopping trips (when comparing prices, quality, value, etc.) from spending trips (when making a purchase), and resist taking cash, credit cards, or a checkbook on the shopping trips.
5. Pay with cash and avoid using credit cards. Charge cards tend to encourage indiscriminate spending. Credit card users often say they had no idea how much they spent on the holidays until the credit card bills arrive in January or February.
6. Plan ahead – shop year-round and make a “gift drawer” or box with all your pre-holiday presents inside. Don’t forget to make a list (or note your gift receipt envelope) of who gets what so you can keep track of what you’ve already bought.
7. Wait for those sales! Watch the advertising and sale flyers for items you intend to buy.
8. Liquidators, buying clubs, and factory outlet stores usually offer lower prices. Bulk buying with other family members or friends can also yield savings. Shop at off-peak times such as early morning or mid-week to avoid crows and pressure.
9. Do it online. Online auctions such as eBay are great places to find bargains, but be aware of how much similar items cost at retail. Many retailers have clearance sections on their shopping sites where you can save big.
10. Make more of your gifts at home. Handmade craft items, special desserts or breads and other “goodies” can help stretch a holiday budget.
While gift cards have become increasingly popular over the years, retail experts advise consumers to be cautious when giving gift cards from a struggling retailer. Under California law, bankrupt companies that are still doing business must honor gift cards. Consumers, however, have little recourse if a retailer closes their doors for good. Retail experts advise that if consumers do receive gift cards this season, to use them right away.
Throughout the nation, Springboard offers assistance with money and credit management through educational programs and confidential credit counseling in both English and Spanish. For a free copy of Springboard’s Surviving the Holidays booklet to learn how to prepare for costs associated with the holidays, manage holiday spending and begin the New Year without holiday debt visit: http://www.credit.org/resources/Seminars click on: Surviving the Holidays. To receive a printed copy by mail, please call 877-947-3752, extension 7820.
In addition to free educational seminars, Springboard also offers interactive financial tools on their website, www.credit.org, to assist consumers in managing their money.
For more information, contact: Sheri Stuart, Senior Communications Specialist
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