Taking Advantage of "SALE"
All of us at American Debt Counseling would like to wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving! November is here. Thanksgiving is around the corner and many of us are wondering where the year went. It is now time to focus on stuffing the turkeys and trying to cash in on the holiday bargains. Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving, is the most popular and stressful shopping day of the year. Stores typically open up in the early hours of the morning. Countless people wait in line outside stores for hours, and even camp out to get that one item that is discounted on their wish list.
It is predicted that this year Black Friday is going to be extremely busy, due to the economy. The census bureau released findings that the number of people living in poverty has raised drastically. According to the research there are 46.2 million Americans where poverty is their reality. This finding alone predicts that most people need to save as much money as possible for the holidays. The thought is that there is no better way to do that than on Black Friday!
The savings is extreme in some cases, and worth the wait. However, many people are disappointed when the shopping craze comes to an end. Over the years I have heard numerous shoppers say that the items they were hoping for weren’t available or that they planned the day poorly. Follow the simple guideline SALE and you could turn a hectic, stressful day into a pleasant, relaxed shopping trip.
S-Strategy will be one of the most useful tools on Black Friday. Compile a list of any items that you are in search for this holiday year. Decide realistically how much you would be comfortable spending on each item and in total. This will give you an outlined plan to follow. Numerous shoppers go into stores blinded and the stores rely on that for better revenue. Having a plan will detour you from the marketing tricks and save you time and money.
A-Avoid getting into debt. It is estimated that three out of five shoppers use credit cards during the holiday shopping. Paying interest on your purchases will defeat the sole purpose of shopping on Black Friday and searching for specials. If at all possible avoid using credit and rely on cash or your debit card. However, with the tough economic times if credit is the only option choose a card that offers you low interest and other rewards.
L- Layaway has increased in popularity over the past few years. It is a great alternative to using credit cards, and a wonderful budgeting tool to stay within your financial means. Layaway is offered by numerous stores. It allows you to set up a payment plan for the items you are purchasing. The store will hold the item while you make payments until the item is paid off and then you take it home. Typically the fees, if any, are relatively low for this service. Be sure to look into each store’s policy, rules and terms.
E- Expectations should be realistic for Black Friday. Numerous people expect this to be the best day to get all the deals, so that holiday shopping can be concluded. Reality is many are disappointed because the product they were looking for was sold out or was not discounted as expected. Keep in mind retailers offer a specific number of big ticket items primarily to get you into their store, and make other purchases. Plan ahead and do your research. Sales are often leaked on the Internet or other promotions. Taking a few minutes prior to hitting the stores can prove to be priceless.
