Ah, the holidays! They are fast approaching, meaning so is the tradition of holiday shopping. While many may enjoy the thrill of going from store to store purchasing things for family members, you may find holiday shopping stressful. Stress from shopping can come both from a financial aspect as well as simply being in the chaos of other shoppers in stores.
However, we believe the holidays should be a joyous time, not a stressful one. We’ve put together a few holiday shopping tips to help you save more money, shop smarter and reduce the stress you feel during this time of year.
Make a List
The biggest enemy to your budget is overspending. Without a list, the likelihood that you overspend for each individual you are shopping for is greater. Mentally, a list acts as a barrier. When you start to stray, you can tell yourself “Stick to the list!” to keep your shopping on track.
Conduct Online Research
Which store has which item? Which store has the best price? Who is offering free shipping if you order online? Starting your shopping by doing some online research helps you shop more efficiently.
Start Early
There’s nothing worse than leaving all of your shopping until the day or two before the holidays. By then you may have to deal with different prices, wrong sizes or stores being sold out of what you’re looking for. Starting early also allows you to space out your spending across your income instead of trying to do all of your spending on one paycheck.
Try Black Friday
We all know the crazy stories from Black Friday. However, there’s a reason it’s a recurring event: the savings are huge for those who do it correctly. This year may be the year to give it a try. However, if you’re not quite into huge crowds, you can always…
Shop Online on Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday is Black Friday for online shoppers. Online and brick-and-mortar retailers both offer great deals, free shipping and more to those who prefer to shop from afar. Again, just be sure to do so responsibly.
Express Your Inner DIY-er
Homemade gifts often mean the most. If you have a particular skill, money is short and you can fill a need of someone on your list, let your talents shine!
What other tips can you think of to shop smarter this holiday season? Be sure to try these and your own ideas this holiday season, especially if holiday shopping tends to stress you out. Who knows? You may be done quicker in addition to saving money.
If there’s any way Peoples Bank & Trust can help out this holiday, stop by any of our offices and chat with a representative today!
Peoples Bank & Trust Co.
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