Save Money And Time On ‘Black Friday’
When ‘Black Friday’ rolls around most of us are out of bed early and standing in front of the mall doors or the Wal-Mart doors waiting for them to open so you can take advantage on every deal you see. By the end of the day most of us don’t even get the thing that we want and are left in a horrible mood for the rest of the day.
What else would you expect after getting no sleep, most likely no food, and not even coming home with the things you wanted? There are more productive things to do with your time and easier ways at getting what you want without all the hassle and the crowds.
Shop online – Most people are unaware that you can find amazing holiday deals online. Plus, it’s easier to comparison shop on the Web, find the items you’re looking for and collect coupons for your purchases. You just might save more money than if you had ventured out in person. And with the time you save, you could even sleep in.
Be mindful of shipping costs, though. There are free shipping promotions out there this season, but many will require a minimum purchase. Or check out deals that’ll ship your order for free to a local store for pick-up, such as Walmart.com and Linensnthings.com. You’ll have to leave the house, but you’ll save oodles in time and hassle.
Prepare your holiday budget and gift list - Most of us don’t create a budget before we go Christmas shopping. Which is why we are always broke afterwards. Holiday shopping is a contact sport. You need a game plan. Take time now to jot down the names of everyone for whom you want to buy gifts. Set a budget and divvy up dollar amounts to each name on your list, complete with gift ideas or notes of their interests. If necessary, discuss with your family ways to cut back this season, such as drawing names or buying just for the kids.
Plus, make sure you budget in a buffer for those last-minute surprises you forgot to plan on. With a little organization, you’ll save time and money - and have a much smoother holiday season.
Set up a gift that keeps on giving - We know you have the best intentions to open that 529 college-savings plan for Junior or that Roth IRA for yourself. After all, these tax-sheltered investment accounts are the ultimate money-savers.
But in the rush of day-to-day life, you just haven’t found the time. Truth is, you can start investing in just 30 minutes. That means you can secure your child’s educational future or your own retirement and get your beauty sleep before Black Friday shoppers return with their loot.
Relax - An informal survey found that more than half of you plan to do just this. After all, who couldn’t use a little family time? Use it to watch football, curl up with a good book, work on a hobby or browse the Web for a good Thanksgiving leftovers recipe. You work like crazy all year long. Take a well-deserved breather before the holidays are in full swing.