A legislative column by Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)

 

 

Jingle All the Way, a mid-‘90s film chronicling Arnold Schwarzenegger’s and Sinbad’s efforts to buy a rare toy coveted by their children, centers around the stresses and pressures of finding the perfect holiday gift.  The film captures the often-chaotic atmosphere of the holiday shopping season, a time everyone is looking for that perfect gift for a special someone.

 

The holiday shopping season is an important time for retailers and the economy.  The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects retailers to hire about 500,000 seasonal employees to manage the holiday shopping rush.  In addition, the NRF forecasts holiday retail sales to be $465.6 billion, an increase of 2.8 percent over last year.  As our economy struggles to recover, every dollar helps.

 

It is easy to get caught up in the holiday frenzy and overextend or overwhelm oneself.  Especially in these uncertain economic times, it is important to be mindful of personal budgets during the holiday shopping season.  Setting and keeping a budget might be the most important thing holiday shoppers can do.  Spending beyond one’s means can make for higher credit card bills and increased stress, two things not needed during an otherwise joyous holiday season. 

The NRF offers insider tips to reduce holiday shopping stress. 

 

According to the NRF, retail stores program cash registers in advance of sales.  People shopping after 6:00 PM the day before advertised sales, sometimes receive the discounts for the next day’s sale.  Many stores offer extended hours during the holiday shopping season to take advantage of shopping.  Shopping earlier in the day or later may help avoid long lines and crowds.

 

While many big retailers offer sales and glossy coupons, there are other options for holiday shopping.  Shopping online from the comfort of home saves the hassle of finding a parking spot, fighting crowds at the mall, and juggling bags.  Online shopping comes with a word of caution.  Be sure you trust the company you are giving your credit card information.  After making a purchase online, be sure to print records of the transaction.  Consider patronizing small local businesses, and the money spent stays in the community’s economy.

 

The holiday season should be one of the most enjoyable times of the year.  Budgeting smart, shopping smart, and finding time to enjoy family will make it memorable.