YOUR LIFE >> HOLIDAYS
10 Ways to be a Savvy Shopper
Tips and advice to help you get the most of your time and money this holiday season.
Plan Ahead
Here are 5 tips to help you be a savvy shopper this holiday season.
1. Make a list. Avoid overspending by knowing who you need to buy for and how much you want to spend, before you start shopping.
2. Shop early. This will give you more time to find the perfect gifts, and will spare you from fighting the crowds in December.
3. Do your research. Window shop online. Browse the web for gift ideas and then move on to the stores.
4. Go for one-of-a-kind. Hit the streets and look for great finds at little-known boutiques and antique shops.
5. Order online. Now that most stores have e-shopping websites, you can skip going to the mall altogether. Just be sure to leave enough time for your purchases to arrive in the mail.
Online Shopping Tips
Here are 5 tips to help you protect your credit card while shopping online.
1. Use the latest version of your browser’s software and make sure your computer’s operating system software is up to date.
2. Use only secure Internet browsers and websites to transmit data.
3. Only give your card details when you initiate a purchase.
4. Keep a record of transactions, either through email confirmations or by writing down confirmation numbers provided by a merchant. Review monthly statements thoroughly.
5. Never send payment information via email since it is not always secure and outside parties can read it.
Double Bonus: Check out the Wish team's favourite online shopping destinations. Pick up a copy of Nicole Hopkinson's Online Connoisseur: How to Shop for the Best Things in Life...At the Click Of a Finger (Da Capo Press, April 2007) for more great online shopping advice.
First published in Wish Winter 2007
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