Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas shopping...

       I didn't get the time to post anything in the past day or two with all the Christmas shopping. They say this week is the mens' Christmas shopping season. I used to do all my shopping early but I only end up forgetting where I put everything and then finding it in April. I end up doing a lot of shopping online to avoid all the traffic and long lines and to hunt for bargains. The main disadvantage I find online is too many choices. I'm not a cheapskate but I am frugal. I need to find the best rated item for the best price. That can be time consuming. At least now even when I do go to a brick and mortar store I can use my Android phone to scan bar codes and see if it's cheaper somewhere else.
       Some tips I learned along the way: First keep coupons handy but read the fine print, and remember it's not a bargain if you end up buying stuff you don't need just because you have a coupon. Second, calculate the discount and if you have a smart phone then scan the bar code. Many times even with the coupon the item is cheaper somewhere else. A lot if the stores that have coupons out all the time are expensive in the first place. Some will even say 50 percent off any regular priced item but then put most of the pricier items on sale for 10 percent off.  Also, never assume that a discount store is always cheaper. Sometimes a higher end department store has clearance sales on better quality items. Another thing to remember is many chain stores have price matching. All one has to do is ask. I saved about 15 dollars on a Bluetooth at Best Buy doing that.
       Sometimes I set a price for how much I want to spend on a gift and then go online and filter my searches that way so I can end up with the best item possible for that price. When shopping online though don't forget to consider the shipping cost when comparing prices. Another advantage online is you may not be as tempted to but stuff impulsively that you don't need. I know in a retail store if I don't find what I'm looking for I am more likely to buy something unnecessary thinking "I fought traffic and made a special trip here and I don't want it to be in vain"    
       If one wants to really be clever they can always gather and all sit in a circle, everyone take a 20 dollar bill out and pass it to the person next to them. This way everything is fair and even and no one is disappointed. I say this tongue-in-cheek since this is one drawback with gift cards. They have their place, especially for birthdays and last minute emergencies (an unexpected party invitation), or even for extremely picky teenagers. What I'm pointing out is that if everyone just exchanges gift cards than they are essentially just trading dollar bills. A good thing with gift cards id that people can use them for after Christmas sales.
       If you know you are not going to see a person until well after Christmas than wait until after the big day when everything goes on sale. This is not being cheap. Lets say you plan on spending about 10 dollars on a person, you can just get a bigger gift for the same price. Don't forget in a lot of cultures people don't exchange presents until early January.
       My favorite money saving idea is to buy gifts that keep on giving (practical gifts). Things like soda makers and fondue sets tend to end up in garage sales the next summer. Think items which people need, educational stuff for kids, items which improve someones health,  household necessities, energy saving light bulbs and space heaters... They even have health care and dental gift certificates. Anything that can make another's life more productive is a frugal gift. This year I bought a lot of memory foam items, in other word's, the gift of a good night sleep. Last year I got a lot if LED night lights and light bulbs for people. It looked strange but my logic was that if they use it to replace their most used light it would take a few cents off their electric bill and inspire them to replace more bulbs. I'll post more ideas as I think of them for any last minute shoppers out there.

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