Holiday Shopping Tips: Buying Gifts With a Low Credit Score
Tips for Holiday Shopping With Less-Than-Perfect Credit
The holiday season is at its peak in December - during which time people celebrate numerous holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Many of these celebrations involve the tradition of gift giving. However, a low credit score may hinder your holiday shopping efforts.
If you have a low credit score, there are still ways you can buy that perfect gift. Check out the holiday shopping tips below to find out how.
Create a Cash-Based Budget
Although it is easy to rely on credit cards and other forms of financing during the holiday season, you can use cash instead.
In fact, the majority of holiday shoppers do not use credit when buying gifts. According to National Retail Federation, 71.2 percent of survey respondents stated they would buy holiday gifts this year using cash, checks or debit cards - instead of credit cards.
By saving throughout the year or trimming some personal spending as the end of the year approaches, you can create a holiday spending budget. By staying within this budget, you can buys gifts for your entire list without worrying about a low credit score.
Get a Secured Credit Card or Pre-Paid Credit Card
With the ease of doing your holiday shopping online, you may need a credit card to complete your transactions. Although most vendors accept debit cards, you may be leery entering information related to your bank account to pay for the purchase.
To better protect your private banking information, you can purchase a pre-paid credit card or apply for a secured credit card. Because these cards require a payment/deposit to activate, your low credit score should not be a factor. When applying for a secured credit card, be sure to understand the limits and fees associated with the card before you use it.
Because prepaid cards and secured cards have specific set limits, you will still need to properly budget when using these credit cards.
Be Diligent About Comparison Shopping
It doesn't matter if you are using cash, a secured card, or another credit card to buy holiday gifts, an important holiday shopping tip is to research the gifts you are buying.
Through its website OnGuardOnline.gov, the Federal Trade Commission offers the following holiday shopping advice to find the best deals:
Layaway is a great way to buy holiday gifts when you have less-than-perfect credit. Because there is no credit check, a low credit score will not hinder your holiday shopping efforts. Layaway allows you to pay a deposit on an item and know that the item will not be sold to another customer while you make payments.
Most layaway plans have minimal fees, if any, making it more affordable than carrying a balance on a credit card. This is especially true if you have a low credit score - which typically means you will have higher interest rates on your credit cards.
Once credit cards became an acceptable form of payment, the option for placing an item on layaway began to disappear. However, in recent years customers have requested layaway options and several retailers have reinstated their layaway programs.
Cautiously Consider "Buy Now Pay Later" Offers
You may be lured by commercials that tout offers to buy a product now, but not pay until later. Many deals include terms like "same as cash" or "no interest for a year." However, these financing offers come with a catch.
If you are not aware of all of the stipulations, you may find yourself paying excessive fees and interest at the end of the contract.
Also, many of these offers have the fine print "with approved credit." If you have a low credit score, these deferred interest loans may not be available to you - or if they are, they have additional fees and higher interest rates after the grace period.
There are also some deferred payment companies that extend this financing specifically to people with lower credit scores and a less-than-perfect credit history. These companies offer these options, knowing there is a good chance that the amount will not be paid off during the grace period and then will charge higher interest rates.
Be cautious when applying for these types of deferred payment plans. You may find yourself with higher-than-expected payments.
Remember, It's the Thought That Counts
During the holiday season, it is easy to get carried away with the amount you spend on gift giving. However, in these economic times, many people have seen their credit scores drop and may have more trouble getting financing for holiday shopping.
When you are searching for that perfect holiday gift, remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money to make an impression. Instead of looking for gifts that are all about the flash, try to find gifts that have a real meaning. Yes, you will have to spend money on many of these gifts, but if you try, you can find personal gifts at affordable prices.
If you are unsure whether or not you have a low credit score, be sure to check your credit score sooner rather than later.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6815874
The holiday season is at its peak in December - during which time people celebrate numerous holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Many of these celebrations involve the tradition of gift giving. However, a low credit score may hinder your holiday shopping efforts.
If you have a low credit score, there are still ways you can buy that perfect gift. Check out the holiday shopping tips below to find out how.
Create a Cash-Based Budget
Although it is easy to rely on credit cards and other forms of financing during the holiday season, you can use cash instead.
In fact, the majority of holiday shoppers do not use credit when buying gifts. According to National Retail Federation, 71.2 percent of survey respondents stated they would buy holiday gifts this year using cash, checks or debit cards - instead of credit cards.
By saving throughout the year or trimming some personal spending as the end of the year approaches, you can create a holiday spending budget. By staying within this budget, you can buys gifts for your entire list without worrying about a low credit score.
Get a Secured Credit Card or Pre-Paid Credit Card
With the ease of doing your holiday shopping online, you may need a credit card to complete your transactions. Although most vendors accept debit cards, you may be leery entering information related to your bank account to pay for the purchase.
To better protect your private banking information, you can purchase a pre-paid credit card or apply for a secured credit card. Because these cards require a payment/deposit to activate, your low credit score should not be a factor. When applying for a secured credit card, be sure to understand the limits and fees associated with the card before you use it.
Because prepaid cards and secured cards have specific set limits, you will still need to properly budget when using these credit cards.
Be Diligent About Comparison Shopping
It doesn't matter if you are using cash, a secured card, or another credit card to buy holiday gifts, an important holiday shopping tip is to research the gifts you are buying.
Through its website OnGuardOnline.gov, the Federal Trade Commission offers the following holiday shopping advice to find the best deals:
- Use search engines to learn more about products, including the possibility of scams;
- Read third-party online reviews for the product;
- Check shopping comparison websites to find the best price (be sure to consider shipping if buying online);
- Look for valid coupons (or coupon codes online) and discounts;
- Know the return policies for the stores you use;
- When purchasing online, be sure the website uses a secure checkout (the web address needs to start with https).
Layaway is a great way to buy holiday gifts when you have less-than-perfect credit. Because there is no credit check, a low credit score will not hinder your holiday shopping efforts. Layaway allows you to pay a deposit on an item and know that the item will not be sold to another customer while you make payments.
Most layaway plans have minimal fees, if any, making it more affordable than carrying a balance on a credit card. This is especially true if you have a low credit score - which typically means you will have higher interest rates on your credit cards.
Once credit cards became an acceptable form of payment, the option for placing an item on layaway began to disappear. However, in recent years customers have requested layaway options and several retailers have reinstated their layaway programs.
Cautiously Consider "Buy Now Pay Later" Offers
You may be lured by commercials that tout offers to buy a product now, but not pay until later. Many deals include terms like "same as cash" or "no interest for a year." However, these financing offers come with a catch.
If you are not aware of all of the stipulations, you may find yourself paying excessive fees and interest at the end of the contract.
Also, many of these offers have the fine print "with approved credit." If you have a low credit score, these deferred interest loans may not be available to you - or if they are, they have additional fees and higher interest rates after the grace period.
There are also some deferred payment companies that extend this financing specifically to people with lower credit scores and a less-than-perfect credit history. These companies offer these options, knowing there is a good chance that the amount will not be paid off during the grace period and then will charge higher interest rates.
Be cautious when applying for these types of deferred payment plans. You may find yourself with higher-than-expected payments.
Remember, It's the Thought That Counts
During the holiday season, it is easy to get carried away with the amount you spend on gift giving. However, in these economic times, many people have seen their credit scores drop and may have more trouble getting financing for holiday shopping.
When you are searching for that perfect holiday gift, remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money to make an impression. Instead of looking for gifts that are all about the flash, try to find gifts that have a real meaning. Yes, you will have to spend money on many of these gifts, but if you try, you can find personal gifts at affordable prices.
If you are unsure whether or not you have a low credit score, be sure to check your credit score sooner rather than later.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6815874
How to Do Shopping for Christmas Gifts for Men
When Christmas draws near, it is now time for you to get your pens and papers out to make a gift list for the people around you. After all, Christmas is all about giving, right? Just like kids, men also love receiving gifts but when it comes to Christmas shopping for the gifts that you are going to give to the little boys, dudes, guys, and men, it can be a bit of a challenge.
Tips for Buying Christmas Gifts for Men
Scouring the different stores and catalogs for the perfect present for men can be a difficult task. You can spend long hours just looking not just for the right one, but the best gift that you are capable of giving.
Where to Shop for Christmas Gifts for Men?
For great gift ideas, you can search the internet. There are a lot of online stores that also offer great deals in all sorts of gifts. Make sure that in purchasing, you buy from a trusted and authorized store. You should also be careful on scams. You can also opt not to go online and do it the traditional way searching every rack and shelf of different boutiques and department stores.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6697984
Tips for Buying Christmas Gifts for Men
Scouring the different stores and catalogs for the perfect present for men can be a difficult task. You can spend long hours just looking not just for the right one, but the best gift that you are capable of giving.
- Who are you going to give it to? The first tip is to answer this question. The gifts that you are going to choose will first depend on who the guy is and of course, your relationship with him. Is he your father? Your brother? Your friend? Your Cousin? Your boyfriend? No matter who it is, you need to first base your choice on this.
- Make the gifts extra special. For example, if you are going to look for Christmas presents for boyfriend, you can make a personalized gift that he can use like a customized shirt. Of course, you have to remember that he is a guy so it would probably be best to stay away from all the mushy stuff.
- Keep in mind the age of the person you are giving it to. Christmas gifts for men should be age appropriate. For instance, the best presents for kids would be toys and game boxes and for teenagers to young men, you can give out gadgets.
- Find out his personality, likes, and interests. For instance, if the guy is a techie, you can look for gadgets. If his hobby is reading, you can buy him a book, a book pillow, or a book light. The point is to give a gift that would fit his wants and needs.
- If you do not know what he really wants, you can play it safe. Give Christmas gifts for men that they like in general such as watches, ties, handkerchiefs, shirts, or gadgets. These are some of the things that they generally appreciate.
- Remember that most, if not all, men are very practical. The presents that you are going to give should be useful.
- If you are going to give clothes, make sure to get the right size. The same goes with shoes. Also, the clothes and shoes should fit the style of the one you are going to give it to.
- If he is someone who is close to you, try to make an inventory of the things that he owns.
Where to Shop for Christmas Gifts for Men?
For great gift ideas, you can search the internet. There are a lot of online stores that also offer great deals in all sorts of gifts. Make sure that in purchasing, you buy from a trusted and authorized store. You should also be careful on scams. You can also opt not to go online and do it the traditional way searching every rack and shelf of different boutiques and department stores.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6697984