City Hall Los Angeles

Holiday Shopping And Credit Cards

Minimize Credit Card Spending During the Holidays

The holiday shopping season is a much-anticipated time of year for both the retail industry and consumers. For the retail industry, the largest percentage of their sales are earned during the holidays by consumers who have failed to plan and are easily lured to make impulse purchases for shiny new gadgets. Consumers on the other hand make a dash for the mall, credit card in hand, in search of a thrill from the fancy decorations and Christmas music, the sale signs, and the crowds. At the end of the day, or shall I say in January after things have calmed down, consumers are weeping because of their huge credit card bills wondering where all the money went and retailers are laughing all the way to the bank or the board room. While, its not such a bad thing for the retail industry, how can we as consumers make sure that we are not weeping but celebrating along with the industry? It is simple. We can develop a plan and a budget, which includes shopping year round for gifts and doing some comparison-shopping.

Christmas comes the same time every year. We have approximately 12 months to develop a plan and to execute it if we desire to save money and keep our credit card balances low. Why wait until December 1 or Black Friday to begin our Christmas shopping? For the adults and even some of the children on our list we can shop for gifts year round. Why not begin in January or early February when the winter clearance begins for many retailers? Or stock up on the latest toys and gadgets at significant savings on the day after Christmas. To avoid the long lines the day after the holiday, shop online where the deals have proven to be just as good. Some merchants even offer free shipping. Be on the look out for online coupon codes and free shipping offers.

Your plan should also consist of making a list, which includes the names of all the family members, and friends that you need to purchase something for along with a gift or two that is representative of them and your relationship. Then you should develop a total budget using the highest price item of the two that you listed and make the conscious decision to adhere to that bottom line. After you?ve done this, prepare to do some comparison-shopping, which you can do from the comfort of your own home. The thing about comparison-shopping is that you must give your self enough time; this is not for procrastinators. Check the Internet sites of competing retailers to see who has the best price and check the weekly advertisements too. This way you know what you want and where to get it before you leave home, which will reduce the number of impulse purchases you make and reduce the temptation to pick up things along the way.

Don't become trapped in credit card debt year after year during the holiday season. Make a decision to develop a plan and follow it. Decide early on who you want to purchase gifts for and select the ideal gift. Then develop a budget that you can adhere to that will cover the expense of all these gifts. Finally, allow yourself enough time to do some comparison-shopping. Watch for sales cycles and weekly advertisements from those same merchants. Then make up your mind to be done or at least 95% complete with your holiday shopping before December 1st. By having a plan and make a concerted effort to stick with it, you can ensure that you will be rejoicing at all the money you saved in January because you made the decision to stop letting retailers control your credit card spending.

This article has been provided courtesy of Creditor Web, http://www.creditorweb.com .

MORE ARTICLES:

Digital Photo Camera Shopping Trips
There is nothing that will make a person feel more insecure than when a stranger hands them a digital photo camera, and asks them to capture a picturesque, once-in-a-lifetime moment. People go on photo camera shopping trips to find a digital camera that feels comfortable and does what they expect it to. Handling a camera that you are unfamiliar with, however, leaves something to be desired. Operating someone else?s digital camera, that you know nothing about, is a very awkward moment, at best.

Grapevine Star Entertainment Uses Hip Hop, Anime and a Cowboy to Target, Publishers, Retailers, Apparel, Cell phone, Toys & Gift Companies at 2007
Grapevine Star Entertainment announced brands available for licensing at the 2007 Licensing International Expo in New York. The World's Favorite Cowboy, Tex DunRight™, Tween Girl's Manga brand, MeMe and My World™, The Emotionals™, representing Kid's emotions at play, Elementary school favorite, Mr. Bandman™ and Hip Hop Properties™' Urban Hit, Hip Hop Bobbleheads™ are available for Licensing

Challenges Faced When Going Hockey Product Shopping
There is nothing more challenging than the challenges faced when going Hockey product shopping. If you need a piece of equipment to play a game of hockey with friends, and you live in an area that does not offer any ice Hockey rinks, you might have to buy hockey equipment that will work on grass fields.

Outskirts Press Announces Eyes of Africa, the Latest Highly-anticipated Africa Book from Los Angeles, CA Author Victorine D. Ngangu
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Eyes of Africa: In the Eyes of Africa by Victorine D. Ngangu, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Africa category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $9.95. Eyes of Africa is also available in its 5.5 x 8.5 Casebound edition for $15.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/eyesofafrica was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.

How to get a professional tooth whitening in Los Angeles
If you live in Los Angeles, chances are you think that your teeth white. Seems like everyone is doing it, whether they keep pace with those in Hollywood or the journals, or because they have from their friends, have done it, it is only a matter of time until everyone in Los Angeles has a professional white teeth done.

Online Shopping Virtuosos Unearth Hotel Deals
Even if you aren't the greatest miser going, when you are ready to go on a holiday, saving is going to be one of your biggest questions. Finding that safe haven you can call home should neither be a struggle, nor a way of reducing your cash in hand. There are many techniques you can take to find inexpensive lodging without compromising quality in your vacation destination.

Online Menu: Business & Shopping Opportunities
My Successful Internet Business Opportunities. CostPlus Online Shopping-200,000 Plus Name Brand products.

Your Leadership Shopping List
'Tis the season to give. And finding the right gift to give the people on your team can be challenging.

Iron Kladd Entertainment & Hood Music Group Present "The Retribution"
"The Retribution" EP Stars Corey Drumz of I.K.E and Slump J of HMG

Save Money When Grocery Shopping
Unlike a fixed monthly cost such as your mortgage or car payment, the amount you spend on groceries each month is somewhat flexible. While the common advice of clipping coupons and buying generic brands to save money while shopping is sound, by far the best way to truly keep your grocery shopping expenses under control is by understanding how grocery stores entice you to spend more than you really want.

Imagination Meets Innovation at FITC Hollywood ?The Rich Media Entertainment Festival? Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City October 22 ? 23, 2007
Imagination meets innovation in the heart of Hollywood?s ?Entertainment District? when FITC presents FITC Hollywood, a festival for creative professionals working in advertising, design, animation, film, video, and the Internet.

Is It Safe To Use My Credit Card For Online Shopping
Shopping online with credit cards has been a dilemma for most people since the early days of the internet. While the internet has evolved and new and improved security measures have been taken to enhance safety, there are still regular cases where things go wrong. With the huge increase in online identity theft, no amount of caution is ever enough, and we must do all we can to protect ourselves and our personal information.

The Sunset Home Visual Entertainment (SHE) Company Will Now Offer Movie Rentals and Video Downloads Through Amazon Unbox
Sunset's strategic partnership with Amazon brings growing catalogue of current home video titles to your home with Unbox.

Exceptional Risk Advisors, LLC Announces the Launch of a New Entertainment & Sports Division
Exceptional Risk Advisors new Entertainment & Sports division to offer unique insurance solutions for exceptional disability and accident exposures.