Digging for Deals: Get Through the Holiday Season Without Going Broke

The time has come again this year for screaming toddlers, migrained-mothers, stubbed toes, mad dashes, last-item snatching, long-line standing, and the certain teetering on the precipice of the one and only holiday shopping stamp of approval- NSF.

In today's "what's more is better" society, holiday shopping can lead the average American shopper into having to decide between what Johnny "just has to have" and this week's groceries. So, if you insist (and we all seem to be), in being "Top Mom/Dad/Aunt/Friend/etc..." this year, it is time to start shopping smarter, not harder.

Numero Uno: Research!
A smart bargain hunter always does their research before heading unto the rabble of crazed shoppers and barrage of "Best Deal in Town" trickery. Websites such as shoplocal.com, salescircular.com, dealtime.com, and bizrate.com are all great places to start looking for the best price comparisons, as well as store websites (such as walmart.com) for direct ads.

Find a great deal at one but live closer to another? Call before you leave for the store and ask if they will "comp" another store's advertised price. Many times a store will meet and sometimes even beat a competitor's price to earn your business. One caveat: if the store with a better price is an on-line store, the store you're driving to may not comp the price (for example, Wal-Mart will not comp walmart.com).

Plan of Attack Option B: Be sneaky!
Check out return and refund policies. If you purchase an item and it goes on sale a few days later, many stores will refund the difference if you come in with your receipt. This bit of information is especially useful if you've received a sale circular but don't wish to fight the crowds the day of the sale. Purchase your items ahead of time (make sure they are the items in the ad!), and come back during the sale with your receipt and ask for an adjustment.

Another sneaky tip, you ask? Write down your favorite brands that you know you can't possibly afford. Now, call your favorite overstock stores such as Filene's Basement or T.J. Maxx and see if they carry them. Just last week I picked up a lovely Dooney & Bourke wristlet for the rock bottom price of $19.99 and a Kenneth Cole wallet for $12.99. These are items that I probably would have bought at the normal retail price, but by doing a bit of legwork I bought both for less than the original price of the wallet alone!

Helpful Advice Number Three: When NOT to Stuff a Stocking...

Stocking stuffers should not be stuffed merely because they are small enough to fit down that old sock. If your darling finds gold and diamonds in her stocking, what will she expect the "real" gift to be? Dollar stores (the kind where everything actually is a dollar - or less) are great places to find items that truly belong in stockings. From candy treats to small gifts, today's dollar stores stock a myriad of holiday-worthy trinkets.

Now that you know...
So now that your tree is sitting atop a bountiful pile of gifts, and your stockings are stuffed with gems of a deal, enjoy your holiday season knowing that you have dodged the non-sufficient funds monster at least for the rest of this year.