Six Secrets for Holiday Shopping Survival December 22, 2009

With only three days remaining until Christmas, the race is on for last minute shoppers. For those of you like me who love to procrastinate, this probably means you have a lot of shopping left to do before the holiday arrives.

But before you rush out in a panic to brave the traffic jams and crowded malls, check out these six shopping tips from my own experience that can help save you time and money this holiday season.

1. Start with a budget.
Decide how much you are able and willing to spend for each person on your gift list. Once you have determined your shopping budget, write it down. Jotting down a specific dollar allowance for each person will help prevent impulsive buys that may exceed your budget.

2. Make a shopping list.
It sounds simple, but this one’s easy to overlook in a hurry. Make a list of all the items your friends or family members want or would like as gifts. Be specific, and eliminate items that are above your price range. You may also want to include in your list the names of specific stores where you plan to look for the items.

3. Google it.
Do some research by Googling each item on your list. Type in the name of an item in the search box and go to Google Shopping. This feature will tell you where online and in which nearby stores you can purchase the item. It will save you the trouble of driving all the way to a store to hunt something down. Google Shopping can also help you find some of your gifts for the best prices around.

4. Buy online.
Often manufacturers and retailers offer special discounts when you purchase an item online. And many times Amazon.com provides shoppers with even better bargains than the manufacturers’ and retailers’ deals. Besides saving you money, online shopping will save you some drive time and will keep you from having to wait in line. Plus, online purchases can be shipped directly to you in a matter of a few days.

5. Map out a plan.
For those items you decide not to purchase online, plan your shopping trip carefully. Determine which stores you will need to visit and form a logical route to take you to all locations in the least amount of time. This method will keep you from backtracking and save you from driving all over town.

6. Make a second list.
As you make your purchases, keep a pen and paper handy. Mark down each item you buy for each person along with the total amount you paid for the gift. Keep a running total of how much you have spent so far for each person.

Once you have reached your budgeted allowance for a particular person, cross that person off your list and move on to the next person. By keeping this second list, you can prevent yourself from spending all your time shopping for the same person, and you will know right away when you have reached your spending limit.