Article courtesy of Achieva
The arrival of fall and cooler weather brings with it thoughts of Thanksgiving and the holiday shopping season, which, of course, kicks off with Black Friday. Last year, with stores limiting capacity and operating hours because of the pandemic, many shoppers turned to e-commerce websites. This year, with the majority of stores being open to the masses again, bargain hunters might be keen to get out of the house and trek to their favorite stores.
Regardless of whether you intend to shop online or offline, here are some tips to help you check off all the items on your list without creating unnecessary financial stress.
CREATE A BUDGET. Assign a spending limit for each gift recipient. Don’t forget to include expenses in your overall holiday budget. A short-term loan like Achieva’s Holly Day loan (which allows you up to 11 months to repay) can help you bridge budgetary gaps while not spending beyond your means.
BE LIKE SANTA: MAKE A LIST. Shopping without a list can quickly lead to a busted budget. Stick to your list by tracking each purchase as you make it — and don’t forget to check it twice.
DO YOUR RESEARCH. Online shopping savvy can be a game-changer. Look up prices before you shop and compare them to what’s being charged in stores — some of which will offer price adjustments to help you get the best deal.
GET CREATIVE. Are you a maker or a baker? Don’t be afraid to give homemade presents. They can be a cost-effective yet heartfelt and meaningful way to show how much you care.
SHOP INTEREST RATES. Before you use a credit card to buy gifts, make sure you’re getting the best interest rate. Using a card with a low annual percentage rate (APR) and transferring balances from high-interest cards can help you pay off holiday debt faster. Achieva’s Cash Rewards Mastercard offers lower interest rates for customers with good credit and allows you to earn cash back on purchases.
Holidays should be joyful, not stressful. Achieva can help you navigate the holidays (and the rest of the year) with less financial stress, and we can help with such things as getting a short-term Holly Day loan or transferring your credit card balance to an Achieva card with a lower interest rate. Visit one of our branch locations or call 800-593-2274 so we can learn about your needs and see how we can help. Insured by the NCUA.