Smart Holiday Shopping Tips To Reduce Stress

The best time for holiday budgeting begins early in the year, when smart shoppers account for expenses associated with the holiday gift season in their monthly budgets and buy presents here and there throughout the year. However, if you’re like most people, you probably have not planned very far ahead for holiday shopping and could find yourself feeling the pinch in January. But don’t despair—with proper accounting and a handful of smart shopping ideas, it is possible to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list and stay within your budget.

Here are some tips to help you manage your seasonal financial stress:

• Review your shopping list carefully. Does everyone listed on it truly need to be there?
• Set limits. Write down a maximum dollar limit for each person, vow to stay within that limit and then track how much you actually spend.
• Give yourself time to compare prices and find the best deals. You aren’t likely to save money if you wait until the last minute.
• Shop online. Many retailers will waive shipping costs during the holidays.

Protect Yourself While Shopping

This season, while you’re focused on holiday deals, thieves are looking for some great holiday steals.  Below are some tips to protect yourself while Holiday Shopping :

1. Only take the necessities on your shopping trips. IF possible avoid taking a purse or wallet with you so if anything is lost or stolen it is only limited to a few items.
2. Be alert to your surroundings as thieves often sit in parking lots looking for victims.
3. Avoid parking by vans, trucks with toppers and vehicles with darkly tinted windows.
4. Don’t leave items in plain view and put purchased and valuables in the truck of your car so they are not visible to thieves
5. Don’t make yourself an easy target by being distracted while talking on your cell phone, listening to music etc.
6. Have your keys in hand as you walk to your car so you are not fumbling to find them and never leave your pursue in a cart or on top of your vehicle as you are loading your purchases.

If you have gift stolen from your vehicle your auto insurance policy will not protect them. Property insurance on the other hand, covers the contents of your vehicle. Types of property policies that can extend this coverage are home, tenants, farm or condominium policies.  Some companies will limit the contents in a vehicle, to 10% of your personal property limit and $1500.00 , while  other companies do not have a specific limit.  Depending on the type of policy there maybe other special limits or conditions that may limit how much is paid in the event someone breaks into your vehicle. One other thing to consider is that you will have a  your policy deductible on average of $500.00 to $1000.00 and you could risk loosing your claims free discount. It is important to double check your insurance policies to make sure you have the proper coverage. Feel free to contact one of our protection specialist if you have any questions about your coverage or policies.

After your holiday gifts are in your house, you still need to protect them. Don’t leave your house unlocked and make sure your security alarm is on. Leave a few lights on, the tv, or a radio when you’re not home and have motion lights installed outside the house.  Also make sure that you do not make it easy for thieves by leaving a large number of presents within sight of windows or doors.

The above smart holiday shopping tips will help make sure that you manage your budget and protect your gifts this Christmas.

 Check out this smart shopping survival guide video!