Take a deep breath everyone, the holiday shopping season is fast approaching, but not to worry! Many of us fret at the thought of buying gifts at such a busy time of the year, but with a little helpful guidance, we can make some smart decisions to get over the finish line this year:

1. Black Friday

Many people believe that Black Friday is the best day to shop because it always has the most favorable savings. The day has become a huge marketing ploy for big stores, so don’t feel the pinch of needing to wake up at 4:00am in the morning to beat the people and lines for great savings on a specific day. A lot of stores offer similar deals to the ones displayed on Black Friday throughout the year and a lot of items are the same year after year as well.

2. Going Over Budget

This is an easy mistake to make. The best way to budget your money is to think of all the people you will be buying gifts for. Have a number in mind for how much you would like to spend on each and don’t go over! There are a number of great free applications for your smart phone that will help you.

3. Store Credit Cards

You’ll likely find yourself tempted to open up an in-store credit card at checkout to receive an additional 20% off, but be cautious! If you currently have a high interest rate credit card that you can’t pay off this is not a good idea. Be sure to consider outside factors before you dive in to additional savings. This could have a serious affect on your credit score!

4. Free Shipping

Don’t wait to the last minute to purchase gifts! If you do, you may find yourself paying a great deal of money on shipping in order for the gift to arrive on time. Take advantage of retailers that are offering free shipping. This will likely happen weeks in advance, so don’t procrastinate!

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