NEW YORK – With the holiday shopping season inching earlier every year, one of the biggest questions for shoppers comes down to timing: When should you start buying gifts?
If you start too soon, you could miss out on some of the best sales. But if you start too late, you could pass up your chance at discounts and free shipping offers before the cutoff dates. And if you shop all season long, you risk racking up spending over three months.
To strike the right balance, money experts say plan early, but wait until prices drop to buy items on your list. That means having a conversation with friends and family about your holiday budget and expectations now.
Take into account credit card point boosters. This time of year retailers will sometimes triple or quadruple the amount of points you can earn on purchases which translates into savings.
Consider buying secondhand items especially if you’re looking for clothing or luxury goods.
Lastly, do your homework and monitor the price of items you’re looking for using a price tracker such as Camel Camel Camel or Honey so you know when prices drop.
