10 Tips for Holiday Shopping

Each year Americans accumulate the largest amount of debt during the holiday season. If you don't have money to buy holidays gifts be honest with yourself, don’t go into debt to please someone else. January and February have the highest number of bankruptcies and divorces filed.

Christmas is not about how much money you spend or about giving gifts, it is about celebrating the birth of Christ and spending time with family and friends. Most times people buy holiday gifts for someone they don’t like or buy gifts that are returned. Don’t go into debt again. If you spent money you don’t have, take the gifts back to the store and save yourself the heartache of getting a big credit card bill in January. Here are 10 tips for holiday shopping.

1. Buy gifts during store sales. You can save anywhere from 20-70% off the original price.
2. Visit local vendors, you can probably haggle to good a good deal on the same items you find in the department store.
3. If you are good with arts and craft, think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
4. Visit the dollar store to look for children's gifts.
5. If you have to buy gifts for several family members suggest a "Secret Santa" so only one person has to buy a gift for one person and set a limit on the amount spent.
6. Avoid buying gifts on Christmas Eve or the day before Christmas Eve. Selection is limited and lines at the register are longer. Out of desperation you may make bad choices and spend more spend than you have to.
7. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.
8. Spend less money on gifts this year than you did the previous year.
9. If you have money after the holiday season and have paid all of your bills, buy gifts the day after Christmas. Department stores have great deals the day after Christmas and you may even get better deals than those offered during the Black Friday sales.
10. Make getting out of debt one of your new year's resolutions.

Think Twice Before Shopping This Holiday Season

Most Americans spend the greatest amount of money and go into debt during the December holiday season. This year get a jumpstart on holiday shopping and start shopping in October. When shopping for gifts during the holidays, many shoppers are filled with anxiety, pressure or guilt about spending money during the holidays.

If you don't have the money to buy gifts be honest with yourself first, then with your family and friends. The holidays about not about spending money, they are about spending time with family and friends. If you have a small amount of buy to buy gifts buy what you can and don't use your credit card to buy gifts unless you have the money to pay the debt off in two or three months.

Here are some reasons why you shouldn't spend money this holiday: 1) you owe more than $5,000 in debt, 2) you are not a homeowner, 3) you do not have a savings account, 4) you do not have a retirement account or have a low balance, 5) you owe more on your home or car than what it is worth, 6) you have bad credit, 7) you are considering filing for bankruptcy or foreclosure, 8) you live with your parents.

Here are 5 ways to help you save money during holiday shopping.
1. Visit the local dollar store to find gifts for children.

2. Visit local vendors, you can probably negotiate a good deal on the same items you find in the department stores.

3. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.

4. If you have to buy gifts for several family members try doing a "secret Santa" or "grab bag" so only one family member has to buy a gift for one family member and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you don't have to worry about buying several gifts.

5. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.

Think Before You Spend

The holiday season has arrived and everyone is getting ready to spend money. Department stores are luring consumers to the stores with early hour sales. Don't get caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy. Think before you spend. If you don't have the cash don't flash – don't use your credit card to buy holiday gifts.

If you have the money after the holiday season and have paid all of your bills and creditors, buy gifts the day after Christmas. Department stores have great deals the day after Christmas and you may even get better deals than those offered during the Black Friday sales.

Many people have lost sight of what the holidays are all about. The holidays are not about buying or getting gifts - it is about spending time with your family and being thankful for what you have – not for what you don't have.

January and February have the highest number of bankruptcies and divorces and finances are one of the main reasons for divorce. Ask yourself these questions before you start shopping for gifts this holiday season.

1. Do have to charge your Christmas or holiday gifts this year?

2. Did it take you 6 months or more to pay off your debts from Christmas or holiday shopping last year?

3. Did you buy too many expensive gifts or more than you should have?

4. Are you buying expensive gifts to impress someone or to "keep up with the Jones"?

5. Are you ashamed that if you buy a gift that costs $20 people will think you are cheap, poor or broke?

6. Why do you feel the need to spend money that you don't have?

7. Will buying gifts this holiday season help or hurt your financial situation?

8. Do you make your own choices to spend money or do you let others influence you, i.e. media, friends, relatives, your children, spouse, advertisements, etc.?

6 Holiday Savings Tips

Most Americans spend the greatest amount of money during the December holiday season. The holidays should not be filled with anxiety, pressure or guilt about spending money during the holidays. If you don't have the money to buy gifts be honest. If you have a small amount of buy to buy gifts buy what you can and don't use your credit card to buy gifts unless you have the money to pay the debt off in two or three months. Here are 6 tips to help you save money during holiday shopping.

1. Buy Christmas or holidays gifts during store sales in October or November.
2. Visit local vendors, you can probably negotiate a good deal on the same items you find in the department stores.
3. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
4. Visit the local dollar store to find gifts for children.
5. If you have to buy gifts for several family members try doing a "secret Santa" or "grab bag" so only one family member has to buy a gift for one family member and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you don't have to worry about buying several gifts.
6. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.

Holiday Spending

The holidays are approaching and everyone is getting ready to spend money. Before you start your Christmas shopping check your finances and check your spending history. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Did you have to charge your Christmas gifts last year or will you have to charge your Christmas gifts this year?
2. Did it take you at least 6 months to pay off your debts from Christmas shopping last year?
3. Did you buy too many expensive gifts or more than you should have?
4. Are you ashamed that if you buy a gift that costs $20 people will think you are cheap or are poor or broke?
5. Well, don't. You are not cheap, everyone doesn't have Donald Trump money and people should understand that. It really is the thought that counts and if someone gets upset because you only spent $20 on a gift, that is their problem not yours. Many people have lost site of what the holidays are all about. It is not about giving a gift, it is about spending time with your family, being thankful, reflecting on the past year, and thinking about things you would like to change in the New Year.

This year start thinking about changing your spending habits. If you start saving this year you won't have to go into debt next year when doing your Christmas shopping.

Here are some tips to save on your Christmas shopping.

1. Buy Christmas gifts during store sales.
2. Spend less money on gifts this year than you did last year.
3. Check out local vendors, you can probably haggle to good a good deal on the same items you find in the department store.
4. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
5. If you have to buy children's gifts check out your local dollar store.
6. If you really want to buy gifts but don't have the money get a part-time job until Christmas arrives to make extra money so you don't go into debt.
7. Starting next year buy your gifts throughout the year so you don't feel overwhelmed with buying all of your Christmas gifts at one time.
8. If you have to buy gifts for several members of your family suggest exchanging gifts so only one person has to buy a gift for one person and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you are not burdened with buying several gifts.
9. Make getting out of debt one of your new year's resolutions.
   

For more tips and information on how to get out of debt you can buy my book, How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For Free Using the System I've Used Successfully With Thousands of Clients at www.hefreemanenteprises.com.