Continuing the theme of alleviating Christmas induced financial stress, I want to explore the fine art of bargain hunting. My Aunt Mildred is the expert, but I’ll do my best.
Compare Prices
I’m kind of old school. I still get a newspaper delivered to my door every morning. Over the last couple of weeks, there has been a deluge of inserts from all manner of stores. It makes it easy for me to browse for gift ideas and compare prices.
If you are a member of the 21st century, an easier way is to do some research online. With a little hard work and patience, now is a great time of year to find deals.
Shop Online
If you’re already comparing prices online, why not go ahead and take care of the shopping too? If you’re driving all around town to save a few dollars here and there, you risk throwing away that benefit through spending more on gas and parking.
Many people are concerned about using credit cards online for fear of identity theft. One way to limit that risk is to have one card that is dedicated for online purchases with a modest credit limit.
Ask for Price Matching
Here’s another way to avoid spending all of your time in the car. Ask for price matching. A lot of stores these days will match or beat a competitor’s advertised price. Don’t expect them to blow the other guy’s price away. The point is that is saves you time and transportation costs.
It’s Not All About You
Deals are out there. When you are shopping for other people, you will probably be tempted to spend some money on yourself. The people who want your money will tell you that you deserve it. Maybe you do, that’s not the point. Ask yourself, is it part of the plan?
Tomorrow will be the final chapter in this series. Religious beliefs aside, I want to talk about what Christmas is really all about.
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