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Holiday spending: How to make it through a season of gift giving without draining the bank
It’s time to crack open the piggy banks and leaf through the latest store advertisements.
The holiday shopping season is on its way, and, despite the economy, there are still plenty of ways to save money and time.
Many stores offer promotions during the holiday season so keep an eye out for the sales signs, said Juli Yap, Kohl’s human resources operations assistant manager.
Debie Oregon of Hallsville plans to do just that.
Oregon lost her job at Dana Corp. during the recession. She now works for Armstrong and McCall Beauty Supply.
“I’ve had to take a major pay cut to get a job,” Oregon said Saturday, while shopping with her mother and 7-year-old daughter in Target.
Charging purchases also is an option.
“Take advantage of in-store credit cards. If you pay it off in 30 days it’s just like layaway,” Yap said.
Longview Target manager Ward Sutton said the company offers a 10 percent discount off customers’ first purchase if they are approved for a Target Visa. Other retailers offer similar options.
Still, some experts caution consumers against charging and suggest looking to other options.
Click here to check out the full story.
What do you do to watch your pocketbook during the holiday season?
Comments
By Molly
November 10, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
We spend the majority of our Christmas-allotted money on our children and immediate family(parents, siblings). Since our kids are teens now we get requests for clothing and electronics so those items will take up most of that money. To supplement I make homemade gifts(crocheted and quilted goodies such as scarves, fingerless gloves, hats, shawls, wall-hangings, and coasters). The kids and I bake cookies or breads and so forth to give as well. It is also satisfying to buy locally handcrafted items like soaps, jewelry, and herbal seasoning for as many gifts as I can or to shop thrift stores for books and other bargains.
By Karen
November 9, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
I am thankful for layaway. Makes good sense. Plus, you don’t have to have the storage to hide Christmas presents till the last minute. The stores that offer layaway I shop in more. Makes Christmas so much easier and not as stressful. I used to charge Christmas every year. Guess what, I am still paying for a few purchases made two years ago. That is just crazy. Last year was my first Christmas without using a credit card. It was hard at first, now shopping is more exciting. To get a great deal is more like a game to save the most and get the best present.
By Buck
November 9, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this
Layaway is a good idea,but avoid Walmart like the plague.(they don`t do layaway & they move things to make you walk & look & buy more)