5 Tips For Avoiding Overspending During the Holiday Season
The National Retail Federation says they expect retail sales to jump 3.6% in November and December as consumers rev up for the holiday gift giving season. Online shoppers are forecasted to increase their sales between 7-10% over last year. To avoid going overboard and racking up unwanted debt, here are tips to keep in mind as you head out to the stores or fill your online shopping cart. Don’t get caught up in the hype. Retailers will rev up their marketing campaigns to lure you into what seems like great deals. Don’t fall for the “buy it today, pay for it next week” types of so- called deals. Limit the gift giving. There’s no shame whatsoever in giving just one or two gifts to close friends and family members. Think of other ways you can show your love to the ones you care about without spending lots of money. Budget, budget, budget. Before you make a shopping list, it’s a good idea to allocate a specific amount of money for each person you want to buy for. Don’t fall for the thinking that going a few dollars over will be fine because those few dollars can add up quickly if you do it for everyone on your list. Don’t charge it. With American consumers owing an average of $15,700 in credit card debt, strongly resist the urge to put gifts on charge cards unless you’re 100% confident it can be paid off in full at the end of the month. Go easy on charitable giving. Lots of organizations become very visible during the holiday season. Remember, though, that you can’t give what you don’t have. Rather than trying to support every cause out there, select one or two you feel comfortable with.
The Oswalt Law Group Can Help You Become Free From Crippling Debt
The holidays are a time for appreciating the good things in our lives. If you went overboard with your holiday shopping last year, take a moment and remember how bad it felt when you realized you couldn’t pay it all back immediately. If you’re tired of dealing with crippling debt, get in touch with us here at The Oswalt Law Group. We’d love to talk with you about the options available. The first visit is always free, so call us at 602-225-2222.