Money saving tips for holiday shoppers - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Money saving tips for holiday shoppers

Christmas is right around the corner and if your gift list still needs work,  check out the tips from financial expert Vera Gibbons on several ways to get it done and under budget in time for the big day.

1) TIP: BE ARMED WITH A BUDGET:

   -14 million americans are paying off last year's holiday bill

   - ideally, want to pay it all off by january

   - if you absolutely must buy something you can't pay right away,

     make sure you can pay it all off by easter

2) TIP: NO MORE IMPULSE BUYS:

   -9 out 10 of us are buying things that are not on our lists

   -unplanned purchases are costing the average consumer an extra $200 a month

3) TIP: JUST SAY NO:

   -Say no to items that seem like good deal but aren't, like Jewelry & watches

   -a better time to buy electronics is January

   -Get hdtvs deals around Superbowl time

4) TIP: GET CREATIVE:

   -Use reward points - they can be used to buy gift cards w/many retailers

   -Go in on group gifts

   -Go ahead and re-gift it's ok

5) TIP: SHOP SMART:

   -Take advantage price adjustments

   (The average household loses about $200 a year forgoing price adjustments!

    -Utilize price match policies