Simple Ways to Get Your
Budget on Track This
Holiday Season
A
BPT
mericans will have lots to celebrate this holiday Online Tools: Struggling to budget alone? Explore
season, with unemployment rates at an all-time online services like Nummo, which can help you
low and consumer confidence on the rise. consolidate your accounts and keep track of your finances.
According to The Annual Retail Sales Forecast
for the Holiday Season from Deloitte, retailers have their
SAVE WITH
sights on sales of more than $1.1 trillion.
COUPONS AND DEALS
We all get caught up in the spirit of giving, yet the most
Save: There’s always the old-fashioned way of saving a
wonderful time of year is also one of the most stressful
little money each month throughout the year, and then
financially. But holiday spending doesn’t have to break the
spending what you’ve saved. Or save in advance for the
bank - a little planning can let you enjoy and be merry.
more expensive items.
BUDGET FOR BIG PURCHASES
Credit Cards: Redeem credit card points for gift cards
you can use for your holiday shopping; alternatively, offer
Credit Cards: Divide up the big-ticket items. Buy them
up specific store gift cards as a present.
across several off-season months and pay your balance in full.
Delayed Offers: Retailers are tracking what you do
Free Shipping: Some online retailers offer free
online, and often if you leave something in your shopping
shipping with orders over a certain amount. In late
cart, the retailer will come back with a reminder followed
December, some retailers have been known to offer free
by a discounted offer.
shipping days with guaranteed delivery by Christmas.
In-S tore Shopping Days: Black Friday has
Delayed Financing: Look for store credit
always been a big shopping day, so you might want to
card promotions that offer low interest rates
ask your favorite retailers what they have planned ahead
or delayed financing on large purchases. Pay
of time. Some big-box retailers begin their Black Friday
it down over time without incurring interest.
promotions on the Wednesday before, with extended
store hours, and might even be open on Thanksgiving.
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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DECEMBER 2018