Holiday Cheer on a Budget: Smart Shopping Tips for a Joyful Season

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the rush to find the perfect gifts without breaking the bank—or compromising your security. Whether you’re a savvy online shopper or enjoy browsing the holiday displays in-store, preparation is key to a successful (and stress-free) shopping experience.

Before you dive into the deals, it’s important to do your homework: set a budget to avoid overspending, research sales to snag the best prices, and use technology like browser add-ons and mobile apps to maximize savings. And while hunting for bargains, don’t forget to safeguard your identity by taking simple but effective steps, no matter where or how you shop.

Ready to make the most of this holiday shopping season? Let’s explore how to stay financially smart, tech-savvy, and secure while checking off your gift list.

Do Your Homework

Don’t get caught in the frenzy of the holiday shopping season. It’s tempting to toss items in your cart because the sales are too good to pass up but giving into the impulse could actually cost you money! Do your homework and figure out your holiday shopping list/budget before you shop. By giving yourself a set budget plus a list of items to purchase for each person, you can limit the potential for impulse purchases. Having a shopping list prepared in advance also allows you to compare deals from retailers. It’s a good idea to check out the price of the items you wish to buy at multiple stores today and compare it to the advertised post-Thanksgiving “sale” price to get an idea of exactly how big a discount you’re really getting.

Be Tech Savvy

Did you know there are web browser add-ons and mobile apps that can help you ensure you’re getting a holiday bargain?

• Honey is a browser extension/mobile app that does the work for you: when you’re shopping online, it searches the web for coupon codes applicable to your specific purchases before you check out. If it finds one, the code will automatically be applied to your cart to save you money.
• CamelCamelCamel is another browser extension that tracks price fluctuations on Amazon. If you have a Wishlist in your Amazon account, it can watch the price history of those items to ensure you’re not jumping at a “discount” that’s only marginally below a previously marked up price.

Protect Your Identity

Whether you shop in-person or online, it’s always important to safeguard your personal information! Keeping your personal data safe and always being on the lookout for fraudulent transactions could help you protect identity theft:

• Keep an eye on your credit card and bank statements and alert your financial institution of any fraudulent charges. LUSO Federal Credit Union members benefit from Fraud Detection, a 24/7 fraud monitoring and detection service. When a transaction is not consistent with your usual card activity, you will get a call from “Fraud Detection” to verify the authenticity of the transaction.
• Download a digital wallet app to your mobile phone and you won’t need to carry your debit or credit card with you. Digital wallets – like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay – allow you to make secure payments with just your mobile device. And since most digital wallets encrypt your account information, the account number that is transmitted to the merchant when you make a payment is not your actual account number. Your account details are kept secure, making it harder for a security breach to happen.

Above all, don’t be duped by the hype of the holiday shopping kickoff. Be patient and prepared and you’ll find the best deals.

LUSO Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative dedicated to providing members with quality financial services and products. We at LUSO pride ourselves on serving the financial needs of our members and helping them save for the special occasions in life. 

Feel free to contact our Ludlow or Wilbraham branch toll free at 1-844-LUSO-FCU.