I fondly recall working in retail on several Black Fridays when I was a college student and the memory of that experience remains with me to this day (perhaps a future blog topic). Honestly, I believe that the more things change, the more they remain the same even though today people can shop from the comfort of their homes thanks to smartphones and computers. Despite the technological advances we have at our disposal, surviving the holiday shopping season remains a priority. Surviving the holidays to me means finding gifts for everyone on your list, having cash leftover after shopping, and not sitting at the children’s table in your cousin’s garage on Christmas Day. Even though we have the ability to shop from home, parents and grandparents …show more content…
Regardless of the era, all of these toys share a common trait in addition to their popularity. More often than not, shoppers who purchased these must-have items and paid premium prices to do so. Through proper planning and following a budget, you can alleviate much of the stress associated with holiday shopping while reducing the possibility of overpaying for gifts. Here are a few simple suggestions to assist you along the way to remain focused, relaxed, and solvent this holiday shopping season. Set a Budget – Consider how much money you can afford to spend without affecting your day-to-day household budget and without taking on debt. Then decide whether to pay cash or use credit. Experts recommend using cash so shoppers “see” the money they are spending, which, in theory, discourages them from overspending. If you must use credit, pay it off as soon as possible and shop for a credit card with low rates and rewards. Two phone apps in particular that help shoppers generate a budget and track their spending are Santa’s Bag for Apple products and Christmas Gift List for