It’s summertime and everyone’s in the market for patio furniture, grills, and bathing suits. Although retailers advertise numerous deals on summer items, in-season shopping can get the most expensive! All you need is a little planning to get a great bargain and avoid consumer debt. Our credit counseling advice is to shop out of season to save money.
Shop Out of Season – What You Should Do
Shop Towards the End of the Season
Retailers stock up on items for the current season. In the rush of prepping for the new season, we go in and get our shopping done. However, this is when everything is most expensive because of retailers pricing items based on demand. If you decide to hang on until the end of the season, you are guaranteed to get good bargains as retailers need to clear the stock to prepare for the upcoming season. So hold off on that grill this summer and plan all the BBQ’s for the next one! After all, a little BBQ here and there in the fall isn’t all that bad! It will surely help you with your debt management efforts.
Do Not Jump at New Arrivals
If you are an online shopper like I am, the new arrivals are what you see first! Think of all the new prints, swimwear, and the pretty dresses! However, if you keep watch on your favorite new arrival for some time, you will notice how much the price drops over just a couple of months. Therefore, save the urge to shop the newest arrivals and hold off on buying that pretty new dress. You are bound to grab a good deal!
Take Advantage of Coupons & Deals
This is more a general shopping tip. It can be annoying to receive multiple emails from retailers with their frequent mailers. However, they can give you a lot of coupons and deals. In the midst of the fight to get out of debt, any deal you can get is a good deal. Target the promotions and deals to get the most out of your shopping.
Remember, no matter when you shop it is important that you stay within your means and prioritize debt reduction.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.