The holidays are almost here, and shopping is on many of our to-do lists. The average person expects to spend $749 on holiday-related items this season, up $9 from 2011, according to the National Retail Federation.
Before venturing into the stores or going online, there are many things to consider, including staying within your budget and staying safe.
"Take advantage of sales to make planned purchases, but leave other items on the shelf," said Jessica Cecere, regional president for nonprofit consumer credit counseling agency CredAbility, West Palm Beach, Fla.
"Don't let the thought of getting a 'deal' cloud your judgment. Impulse purchases can create holiday debt that you will pay for well into the new year and beyond," Cecere said.
Tips for shoppers
Make a list and stick to it. Having a list of the people you need to buy for and a budget for each person is a great way to make sure you don't overspend. Jot down ideas ahead of time.
Plan your shopping before you leave the house. Use newspaper circulars and the Internet to plan your trip. Take a look at sale ads for Black Friday, at websites such as www.theblackfriday.com and www.bfads.net .
Shop before the big sales and avoid the Black Friday crowds. Many stores will refund the price difference if the item goes on sale within a few days of purchase, but this policy may not apply to all Black Friday specials.
Get a jump-start by shopping online now. There may be sale prices or free shipping offers, and there's still plenty of time. Deals for "Cyber Monday," the Monday after Thanksgiving, can be found at www.cybermonday.com .
Compare prices by using sites such as www.pricegrabber.com, www.bizrate.com and www.nextag.com . Look for coupons to save on in-store and online purchases at sites such as www.couponcabin.com or www.dealcatcher.com .
Don't window shop. This leads to spending more than you planned.
Don't take along credit cards. Studies have shown that people who use credit cards to buy gifts spend an average of 30 percent more than people who use cash.
Don't make impulse purchases. Do your homework and make sure something really is a deal before making the purchase.
Keep receipts. Make sure you know the return policy for all of your purchases.
Don't make unnecessary purchases. Talk to friends about not exchanging gifts or setting a limit on spending. Many families draw names in order to have one person to purchase for, or limit gifts just to the children.
Be safety conscious
In addition to being cautious with your budget, you want to be safe while shopping.
Here are some of the best safety tips from Consumer Reports, law enforcement agencies and other sources.
Don't carry a large purse. Some experts recommend a small purse with a long strap that goes across the opposite shoulder. This enables you to keep your hands free and also keep the purse close to your body. Keep your purse closed.
Keep your wallet in a front pocket. If you dine at the food court, don't sling your purse on the back of your chair. Don't put it on the floor. Men, keep your wallet in a front pocket.
Shop with a friend. There's usually safety in numbers.
Park near the store's entrance and be aware of your surroundings. If you must shop at night, ask mall security to escort you to your car.
Instead of making one big shopping trip and making repeated trips to the car to store purchases in the trunk, break up your shopping into smaller trips. This is less stressful than an all-day pilgrimage.
Safety experts advise against carrying a lot of cash and recommend using credit cards or check cards.
This conflicts with the money-saving tips above. Use common sense. Don't flash a huge wad of cash. Be discreet.
Carry only the necessities, such as your ID and the credit cards you will need. Don't ever carry anything with your Social Security number on it.
When leaving the store, be alert. Look around. Don't stop to talk to anyone. If someone appears to be following you, go back to the store and ask that security be contacted.
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