Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Ship early. If you re sending gifts to out-of-towners, factor in extra time for shipping. If you wait until the last minute, you may pay a hefty price for express or overnight shipping.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Make a list and set a budget. List the people you plan to buy gifts for, the type of gifts you plan to buy, and how much you plan to spend. Include the cost of cash gifts, holiday travel, extra food, wrappings, decorations, greeting cards, and postage. If it relates to the holiday season and it costs money, add it to your budget.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Look for price-matching policies. Some merchants will match, or even beat, a competitor s prices.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Keep good records. Whether you re ordering by mail, phone, or online, it s important to keep detailed information about the transaction, including your order number, shipping costs and dates, warranties, and refund and return policies.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Keep an eye on your wallet. Don t flash cash. Keep an eye on your credit or debit card during transactions, and get them back as quickly as possible. If your cards are lost or stolen, report the loss or theft immediately to the card issuers.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Go online. Check out websites that compare prices. If you decide to buy from an online merchant, keep shipping costs and delivery time in mind.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Consider layaway. Layaway purchase plans are designed for people who want to buy merchandise without using credit or paying the full price immediately. When you use layaway, you typically make a deposit
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Clip coupons. Coupons are useful when they save you money on what you re already planning to buy. Check coupons for any restrictions. For example, do expiration dates apply, or do you have to spend a certain amount before you can use the coupon? Some retailers will accept expired coupons, and even coupons from their competitors. Check with the retailer before you leave home to learn their policy.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Carefully consider bargain offers that are based on purchases of additional merchandise. For example, Buy One, Get One Free or Free Gift with Purchase. If you don t really want or need the item, it s not a deal.
Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission: Ask about sale adjustments. If you buy an item at regular price and it goes on sale the next week, can you get a credit or refund for the discounted amount?