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Do you dread the month of January when credit card bills arrive with the blaring reality of what you actually spent this past holiday season? As this holiday season approaches, why not make a plan and be prepared? Here are a few tips on how to save time and money when shopping for holiday gifts.
Make a list… and check it twice. Creating a list will help to avoid last minute purchases for forgotten family members. When you make the list, try to jot down some favorites as well as sizes. This will save quite a bit of time when picking out items to purchase
Set a budget and stick to it. Be reasonable, allocating different amounts based on the amount you want to spend on each person. Try to also leave a cushion for last minute purchases for holiday parties at work, or for co-workers who give you unexpected gifts
Save. After setting your budget, save the money to cover the cost of presents. Saving ahead of time will leave you with money readily available for purchases, keeping you from the hassle of incurring debt on charge cards.
Credit is a no-no. Take only cash with you when you go shopping to avoid impulse purchases. If you feel uncomfortable carrying large amounts of cash and feel you can use your charge card and remain within your established spending budget for gifts, another option would be to put all of your purchases on one card and pay the bill in one lump sum with the money you have saved.
Shop around. During the holiday season, it is extremely important to check sales ads. Comparison shopping is the only way to ensure you are getting the best price for your purchase. Also, surf the web and find the best price (and save a lot of time surfing) by using price comparison websites like PriceGrabber.com, the Amazon app, Price.com and others. Be sure to check more than one since some sites only list certain stores.
Be creative. Think of gifts that come from the heart. Homemade gifts and gift certificates for services that require nothing more than your time are both inexpensive and unique. When you really think about it, you can come up with a variety of ways to put a smile on your family's faces!