MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If you’re running short on patience and money after all of your holiday shopping so far, you’re not alone!
Overspending can be quite common during Christmas, but there are some ways to prevent it.
WREG is on your side with three easy ways to stretch your holiday dollar.
Whether you’re shopping online or in the store, spending those dollars doesn’t mean you have to run out of cash this Christmas.
Also, although it’s already the second week of December, we haven’t run out of time to save money on holiday shopping either.
Latisha Styles is a blogger and personal finance expert for millennials.
“There’s always time to budget for the holidays, there’s always time to budget period.”
Besides setting a strict budget and sticking to it, Styles told WREG about three, easy ways to stretch your holiday dollar.
Tip #1: If you’re buying gifts online, use websites where you get paid to shop.
Styles explained, “These are sites that will allow you to make those same purchases, but you can earn cash back at the same time.”
Websites like Fatwallet and Ebates pay users in points, then cash, for simply starting at their sites, and using their links to major retailers.
Tip #2: While you’re in the store shopping, compare prices online to get the best deal.
“If you just take a moment to look on your phone and find the same item, a lot of stores will have a price matching policy,” said Styles.
Using price comparison apps with scanners such as Red Laser make this even easer.
Tip #3: Clear your closet clutter for cash
Newer sites like Tradesy, Threadflip and Poshmark making consigning online as easy as taking a picture, then shipping off items to sell.
It makes for a quick and easy way to earn some extra money over the holidays.
Styles added, “You get the cash, you get that benefit and you get to do a little early spring cleaning.”
Items not sold can be donated, and of course giving is what the season is really about anyway.
