Post-Holiday Sales
Wanting to take advantage of deep discounts, shoppers flock to stores a day or two after Christmas. Some buy for themselves while many others make purchases for the holidays that are almost a year away. Although this is a great money saving strategy, don't forget about the other post-holiday sales that happen throughout the year.
For example, if someone on your holiday gift list loves patriotic and Americana items, you'll find great bargains at popular stores right after the Fourth of July.
Fundraisers
Whether sponsored by a school, a local unit, or your FRG, fundraisers are an excellent way to get an early start on your holiday shopping. They also create a win/win situation. You'll help raise funds for a worthy cause, while also checking names off your holiday gift list.
Military Vendors
Military families are often eager to support vendors commonly seen outside the PX/BX. Many of these merchants offer a wide variety of unique items that you won't find in chain department stores.
Think Twice When Shopping in Advance for Kids
Although shopping throughout the year can save you a considerable amount of money, think twice before purchasing items for kids. The toy or game they're obsessing about in April could very well be unimportant by December, especially if the must-have item isn't among their primary interests.
For instance, if your six-year-old daughter loves Barbie's and you discover a great bargain in July, the odds are in your favor that she'll love the gift in December.
However, if an ad on television captures her attention for a product that she's never shown an interest in, you might want to hold off and see if she still has the same interest several months down the road.
By shopping throughout the year, you'll have the opportunity to take advantage of many bargains normally not found during the busy holiday season. But that's not the only reward you'll reap. Besides stretching your holiday budget, there's an excellent chance that you'll reduce shopping-related stress in the weeks leading up to the holidays.
