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Friday, November 14, 2008
Layaway makes a comeback for the holidays
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Layaway is making a comeback this holiday season.
Sears is one of several retailers bringing back the pay-as-you-go plan. The plan allows consumer to pay on installments over a set period of time. The retailers hangs on to the merchandise until the balance is paid in full.
The move comes in wake of tough economic times for shoppers. The practice began during the Great Depression but began to fade several years ago as consumers grew more prosperous and began paying with credit cards, according to an article in the Associated Press.
But layaway has its drawbacks. Be aware of the store policy if payments are late, skipped or if you don’t get the merchandise out at the pre-arranged time. Some retailers will put the merchandise back on the sales floor and refund your money minus a fee.
Do you plan to use layaway this Christmas? Have you ever used it? What do you remember about layaway programs in the past?
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What are your Black Friday plans?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you plan your Black Friday with the precision of a military unit?
Do you and your family fan out across Wal-Mart in color-coordinated sweats, walkie talkies in hand, to find the best deals on the day after Thanksgiving? Is Black Friday — the opening of the holiday shopping season — an annual event at your house that requires scouring ads, planning ahead and coordination?
Black Friday is one of the most important shopping days for retailers. Many stores open early, with “door buster” deals on electronics and toys. They hope that big sales will lead to big profits. Retailers can make up to 40 percent of their annual revenues in November and December alone.
If this is your big shopping day, Rachel Tobin Ramos, retail reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, wants to hear from you. She’s looking for people to talk about their Black Friday plans and share their shopping strategies. Email her at: rtramos@ajc.com
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What’s the perfect gift for caregivers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Alone time. If you have any caregivers in your life that you want to remember this holiday season, providing respite care could be the most appreciated gift of all. Often caregivers put aside their own needs and are consumed with caring for the needs of the loved ones in their care. This personal neglect can impact both physical and emotional health. Offer to give a caregiver an afternoon or even a weekend off, so they can recharge their batteries. If you are not comfortable providing the care yourself, hire a reputable caregiver or see if there’s a local respite care facility in your area.
If your loved one is in a facility, don’t forget about those hardworking and usually underpaid staff members. Bring by a fruit basket or even a homemade treat to show your thanks. Or consider donating your time to a local non-profit that assists seniors and others needing supervised care. You can find more holiday gift ideas on the Atlanta Holiday Guide and this caregiver gift guide published in Pulse.
If you would like to honor a caregiver or a facility that goes the extra mile to care for your loved ones, we encourage you to submit your caregiver story. All submissions will be considered for publication.
For those of you that are caregivers, what recommendations do you have to help those seeking alone time while caring for a loved one, especially during the hectic holiday season?
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