Everyday Money Management

Holiday Surviving Guide

Trying to find the perfect gift in one shopping trip isn't always practical, particularly if you're someone who follows the "shop till you drop" approach. Just short of dropping, you may decide you're tired of browsing around and buy the next thing you see, regardless of cost.

Take a tip from the pros at Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, who specialize in solving personal financial problems, never go into a game without a game plan. Make a list of who you have to buy for and what you want to buy them. Start shopping early enough to leave time to comparison shop for the best prices.

Before heading to the mall, take time to examine catalogues and sales advertisements so you'll know where you need to go to find the gifts your looking for. If you do any holiday entertaining, buy non-perishables in bulk at discount warehouses. Most of the time you can end up saving as much as 20%.

It's a fact that people spend up to 30% more when paying with plastic instead of cash. The reason is because there is no emotional attachment to plastic like there is to cold hard cash. If you don't want to run up your credit card bills, don't take them shopping with you. Instead, decide on the amount you want to spend and carry that amount of money with you. Make a holiday budget and stick to it.

Save receipts. Items often go on sale after the holiday rush. You can sometimes be refunded the difference of the price you bought a gift at and the sale price. Phone for store policies before you make the trip.

Know the sales tactics. Retailers want you to buy, buy, buy. You have been through it a hundred times, "would you like some fries with that," the sales person asks. If you let your self get enticed by this maneuver shopping can get really expensive. You go in to buy a shirt or blouse, then they want to sell you all the accessories that "set it off perfectly.

Follow these tips to make this your best shopping season yet. For next year, try to purchase one present a month starting in January and see how relaxing the holidays can be. Let the games begin!