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Here Comes Santa Claus
Holiday Shopping for the Budget Conscious
By Neilia Sherman
First, she recommends that you wear comfortable clothing. She also suggests going on a full stomach and leaving the kids at home (if possible). That way, you'll take your time and make good decisions.
The best times to shop are weekday mornings or weeknights in order to avoid stressful crowds. Never shop while in a rush, and before you buy, take some time to consider if the gift is really appropriate for the recipient and within your spending limit.
Another key tip is to avoid making impulse purchases. "Starting [early] is really important to avoid the Christmas rush," says Campbell. "People tend to spend more if they start later, as they start to panic and do not comparison shop."
As the holidays approach, the majority of people run out and buy gifts at high prices while the advertisers are in overdrive. With this kind of pressure, you can be talked into buying almost anything. By shopping throughout the year, you can take advantage of sales and really think about your purchases. This is a good way to minimize the impact of your Christmas spending.
Serious holiday bargain hunters start an entire year in advance. They know that immediately after each holiday retailers clear out their leftover inventory to get ready for the next year. So after Christmas is the time to start shopping for next year's holiday season. Stores advertise huge post-holiday sales with 30 to 80 percent off normal prices.
Another tip is to ask the store manager to find out if prices will be lowered further if stock isn't sold within a week. There's nothing more frustrating than coming back and finding that what you bought last week is now cheaper. Bargaining works best with the mentality "nothing ventured, nothing gained."
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