With several months left until Christmas, savvy shoppers still have time on their side to save money, compare prices and stack discounts using rewards credit cards, online shopping portals or store coupons.
Start shopping early this holiday season to avoid stress, crowds, and potentially selling out items! Here’s why it is advisable.
1. It’s easier on your budget
With the holidays quickly approaching, shoppers have already started checking items off their holiday shopping lists early – and this may save them money over time! Starting early can actually save money.
That’s because it can often be easier on your budget to pay for large purchases over time rather than paying them all at once. This is particularly helpful if you live paycheck-to-paycheck, as you might be able to afford such purchases over several paychecks instead of trying to cover it immediately.
By shopping early, you’ll also be able to take advantage of pre-holiday sales on electronics or home goods – these sales offer fantastic deals that you may find suitable presents for everyone on your list! Just be mindful to only buy what is necessary – don’t fall prey to temptation to overbuy items simply because they are on sale!
Savvy shoppers know to comparison shop to find the best prices. With so many online retailers competing for your attention, it’s easy to discover great bargains simply by comparing prices across websites before making your choice. Furthermore, waiting for advertised sales or taking advantage of coupon offers may even net you free shipping.
With delivery delays and supply chain issues expected to persist through 2022, shoppers should start their holiday shopping early and be mindful of responsible buying decisions and avoid overspending under pressure.
Holiday excitement can make it tempting to overspend, but by starting early with holiday shopping you may be able to avoid an onslaught of debt that comes after opening gifts and paying bills. Rising costs, limited supplies, and buyers who want to spend can all add up to financial disaster this holiday season.
2. It’s less stressful
Holidays can be both exciting and stressful at once. Between gift shopping, parties, consuming too many treats and more — everything can become quite daunting. Beginning your holiday shopping early can help ease this burden and even save money in the process!
According to a Bankrate survey, half of shoppers start their holiday shopping by Halloween – not only is that an advantage but here are five more reasons to get an early start this year!
Shopping early increases your odds of finding deals, whether for gifts or groceries; items tend to be cheaper during their respective seasons and less likely to be marked up due to dismal sales figures. Shopping early also gives you access to early bird discounts like Labor Day or back-to-school sales that might only last temporarily.
Starting your holiday shopping early also affords you more time for comparison shopping and price comparing. Instead of being forced into purchasing whatever price is offered at the last minute, taking your time browsing different stores and websites until you find the best offer is made available to you is invaluable.
Shopping early online can be particularly helpful, since shipping costs can add up quickly – sometimes more than the item itself! Also, as Christmas nears closer, expedited shipping fees become more likely and it becomes even more likely that gifts don’t arrive before December 25th! But by starting your shopping early you are more likely to ensure they arrive just in time!
If you plan on charging your holiday purchases to a credit card, it is wise to do it early and spread out payments over several months in order to prevent overspending and costly interest charges. However, only use credit cards for holiday shopping if you can pay off the balance before its due date arrives.
Overall, the holidays can be costly for consumers; especially with rising prices and supply chain issues this year. Being mindful about spending will allow you to stay within your budget while enjoying this season without feeling pressured over expenses. By shopping early and being smart about your spending, you can stay within your holiday budget while having an enjoyable season without financial pressures weighing heavily on you.
3. It’s more time to shop around
Holiday season can be hectic, and buying gifts may feel like an overwhelming task. By shopping early and spreading your spending out over multiple months, shopping can become easier on your budget and help to prevent holiday price inflation.
Plus, shopping early gives you plenty of time to compare prices and locate the best offers on items for everyone on your list. Otherwise, last-minute purchases could lead to overspending and products not in keeping with what was intended for each recipient.
One reason to begin your holiday shopping early is that stores tend to be less crowded than later in the year. As Christmas nears, stores become more congested and it becomes harder and harder to locate what you need; by shopping in autumn you are more likely to have plenty of options and find exactly what you are searching for with ease.
While holiday shopping, take note of any sales currently taking place. You might find great discounts on summer clothing and warm-weather accessories; laptops; back-to-school supplies like dorm decorations. Plus, the end of summer means lower gas prices and better shipping deals!
When purchasing gift cards or certificates, make sure to do it as early as possible. Many retailers set aside space in advance so they can be sold throughout the year; by purchasing them early you’ll avoid a potential last-minute flurry at Christmastime.
No matter the season, holiday shopping should not be stressful. By beginning early and being proactive with your shopping plans, you can save yourself both money and stress over time – and who wouldn’t want that?
4. It’s easier to find the perfect gift
With labor shortages and inventory problems plaguing retail shops right now, this holiday shopping season could prove more difficult than usual. To avoid paying higher prices or being stuck buying the last remaining product from your wishlist, start your shopping early and plan ahead!
There are a variety of simple strategies you can employ when shopping for gifts this holiday season. By starting early and shopping often, you can spread out the cost over several months while taking advantage of sales and discounts when they arise. Couponing or credit card rewards could even allow for multiple savings strategies on one purchase to maximize monetary benefits.
By shopping early, you’ll also have more time to compare prices and find great bargains – helping to avoid last-minute panic and find great presents at prices you can afford for friends or family members.
One advantage of starting early with your shopping is being able to secure the hottest items before they sell out. Many retailers release limited-edition or exclusive products around the holidays, and savvy shoppers know it pays to come early so they have a shot at getting hard-to-find gifts like these.
Additionally, completing your holiday shopping early gives you plenty of time to return any unwanted gifts, avoiding the stress and hassle associated with last minute returns. This is an invaluable benefit over waiting until the last minute to shop, where finding something desirable may become impossible when popular items have sold out quickly.
No doubt about it – the holiday shopping season seems to arrive earlier and earlier each year, making this year even more critical that shoppers take advantage of starting early to start purchasing goods. By avoiding last minute stress and expense and taking advantage of sales and discounts you’ll ensure a happy and prosperous Christmas holiday season!