Christmas is a season full of activities because it is a time for shopping, traveling, and general merriment.
A Christmas survival guide is essential for holiday shopping to help you avoid some of the most common shopping mistakes and avoid overspending.
Here are four tips that can guide your shopping decisions this Christmas:
Beware of online scammers
You may need to shop online for convenience. Authentic vendors should be used for online shopping. Avoid pop-up ads that could contain malware. It is best to go to a reputable e-commerce or online shopping website.
When paying, make sure the site you’re on is secure. The site address should begin with “https: //” and be accompanied by a closed padlock at the top of the browser window. It is also advisable to request that your bank set up a double precaution before making your purchase. It could be a confirmation via your bank’s mobile app or an SMS code (Time Password).
Create a holiday budget and stick with it!
As much as you want to have the best time possible, you must create a holiday budget to help you manage your spending and avoid going broke.
Make a list of what you want to buy and how much you intend to spend on gifts. Subtract the money as you spend it from your total. This will assist you in sticking to your holiday budget. It is best to stop spending when you have depleted all of your holiday funds.
Avoid debts
Don’t go into debt in anything you do. When you finally have enough money, it is tempting to buy extravagant gifts for everyone on your list. You might want to get something extra special for your parents or a close friend, but try not to go overboard with everyone’s gift.
Remember that a new year is approaching, and there will always be expenses after the festivities have ended.
Be safe while shopping
Avoid moving large sums of money. With the introduction of debit cards and mobile banking, it is now possible to go cashless.
However, be cautious of scams and avoid disclosing sensitive information such as debit card numbers, bank verification numbers, and transaction PINs when transferring funds or paying with a POS machine.
When purchasing in bulk, always plan your method of transporting your goods from the market to your home. If you don’t have a personal vehicle, you might want to consider hiring a van or looking into other options. Make plans before you go shopping to help you manage logistics and save money.
