Being a smart consumer means finding the right product that you know is reliable or long-lasting for a reasonable price. It’s easy to get caught up in the huge sales and trends for the perfect gifts during the holiday season. However, if you want to be smarter with your purchases, you’ll have to do some research and learn how to be a savvy shopper.
To avoid purchase mistakes, here are some tips on how to be a smart consumer around the holidays to get the most out of your purchases.
Create a Plan and Budget
The holiday season is that time of year where people spend more than they wanted on gifts. While it brings joy to give and receive presents, that joy can quickly deflate once consumers look at their bank account post-holidays.
Before you shop, create a plan and a budget and stick to it. Yes, that hat would look so adorable on your new nephew, but was it on the plan? Know how much you can spend to make sure you’re financially stable after spending and create a gift list.
Research the Big Purchases
Black Friday deals may not be the best deals out there on your major purchases, so don’t get carried away on Black Friday. Well before the holiday season, begin searching for your more expensive gifts like cameras, laptops, or televisions.
Look at all of the possible brands for the items and then research reviews and prices. These expensive items shouldn’t be a spur of the moment purchase. You don’t want to buy a laptop that’s half-off, only to realize it doesn’t have all the features you wanted.
Know What You’re Getting
While this applies to any item, this point is especially true if you’re purchasing jewelry. Smart consumers will look for ways to save money on gifts, but if you’re buying a piece of jewelry, you want to make sure it is high quality and that the gems and other materials are legit.
A great way to look for quality jewelry at the right price is at pawn shops. While most of the jewelry or even other items at pawn shops are used, remember that some of your gold jewelry probably was made out of used, melted-down gold.
Pawn dealers wouldn’t purchase an item for their shop if they knew it wasn’t quality, so you’re safe to buy from pawn shops, and you know what you’re getting.
Shop Online
When you shop online, you have access to more options than you would in-store. This means you can browse multiple stores at once, and you don’t have to worry about items being out of stock.
Additionally, some stores have sales that are only available for online purchases. You might not get the same deal if you go in-store shopping. A great way to get some of the best online sales is to purchase your items on Cyber Monday, where there are plenty of online discounts.
Choose Quality Over Quantity
Sure, you can get a ton of cheap items so the person you’re giving a gift to has a lot to open, but if they can’t use the items or are made cheaply, it won’t be the best gift.
Instead, purchase one gift that you know will last and will be useful. The receiver will be satisfied with getting a gift that you put thought into.
Make Smart Purchases This Season
Once the holidays are over, you’ll be thankful you decided to be a smart consumer. In the end, you’re likely to save money and feel good about the purchases you made, and the receivers will be sure to love them as well.
Mastering the holidays as a smart consumer will prepare you to shop smart at any time of the year.