How to survive holiday shopping

FIND the best deals, make earthfriendly choices and keep your stress in check.

Here’s how to earn your badges and become the optimal holiday shopper.

Strategic shopper:

Although economic uncertainty can have a chilling effect, many consumers consider gift-giving a necessity.

There are ways to make it work and shop smarter.

Make a budget, know what you want to buy and where. This will help you avoid impulse purchases.

Track prices so that you can spot a good deal.

Use online tools. Google is your friend. If you search for a specific product, a feature should pop up on the right showing how much the item is going for at various retailers.

Websites like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa are helpful when tracking prices on Amazon. They give insight into an item’s price history. Plus, it’s easier to compare prices and use coupon browser extensions (more on this further down), which automatically populate discount codes as you shop.

Return policy reader: Make sure to read the retailer’s return policy before purchasing. You should also think carefully before mailing a present or ordering something for someone online. Pay attention to the return window at stores – if you are sending the gift three weeks before Christmas, make sure the retailer does not have a two-week policy. Ask yourself: Does the recipient live near one of these stores? Do they have a means of getting there? If not, and you are concerned they may not like what you buy or that it could be the wrong size, consider sending a gift card instead.

Green gifter: An easy way to secure this badge is to avoid fast-fashion brands whose garments are often made with synthetic materials that are bad for the environment. These companies also produce an overwhelming amount of waste. Consider buying higher-quality clothing which has a longer life span when cared for properly. Also consider shopping at thrift or consignment stores and hunting resale platforms like Facebook Marketplace.

Shopping online can be better for the planet than shopping in stores and using transportation. But it’s important to make a few adjustments, experts say.

First, try bundling your orders. The fewer delivery trips made to your house, the better. Second, steer clear of fast delivery. Earlier delivery dates often require items to be transported by plane and in less-efficient delivery routes, including trucks that are probably not full. |