5 Ways to Shop this Holiday Season

by | Nov 19, 2020 | Staff Blogs

Shopping this year will look completely different than last year. Some of our favorite retailers may not exist anymore or exist solely online now. So while you may be shopping a bit differently, you’ll want to be sure that you are shopping wisely. Here are some tips to get you through this “unique” shopping season.

  1. Set your budget. It can get easy to become carried away during this time; however, while we are still living in unprecedented times, we can’t stop saving for the unpredictable. Set a modest budget for spending and adhere to it so that you are ready for whatever 2020 has left to give.
  2. Cruise the web for deals. Before you get into full shopping mode, watch the web for special offers. Websites such as https://blackfriday.com/ can help you map out the deals from big-name retailers such as Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Macy’s.The New York Times also has some early scoops on what you can expect. Also, don’t forget to sign up for store apps or coupon sites such as Honey or Retail-Me-Not that can help you with digital deals.
  3. Have alternatives in place. In the event that you cannot find that perfect gift for your loved one, consider digital gift cards. The recipient can get whatever they want, whenever they want so you don’t feel pressure to run into the store to buy a present.Of course, in our opinion, the best alternative when you can’t find that perfect gift is STOCK! You can give stock from your account with an electronic transfer. You can also buy single stock from a broker of a firm. [1] You can also use GiveAShare to purchase stock to give to someone. Stock will give you an ROI that is more profitable than any gift you could fit under the tree.
  4. Remember the small guy. November 28 is Small Business Saturday, and shopping at small retailers is a great way to support local businesses that may have suffered during COVID-19.
  5. If you must give into the nostalgia and head out to the stores, make sure that you stay safe. Make a schedule of all the places you want to visit. Remember, some retailers are not observing Brown Thursday, the term some people use to describe Thanksgiving Day as an in-store shopping day. If you decide to shop in person, WEAR YOUR MASK and stay six feet away from others. Anticipate longer lines as many shops are limiting occupancy, so there may be lines.
  6. Consider a contactless way to pay. Apps like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, as well as many other bank apps, let you keep your cash and tap your payment in.

No matter how you choose to shop, make sure that you hold on to your good money habits. While it is easy to try to overcompensate for a less-than-happy year by buying a ton of gifts, it is not so easy recoup the money that you lost from overspending.

[1] https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/07/giftofstock.asp

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