By Dan Rahn
University of Georgia

Once the turkey is gobbled down to leftovers and the family is
headed home, the anticipation rises. For many people, it’s the
day after Thanksgiving, the first of the marathon holiday sales,
that gets the adrenaline going.

But wait. Don’t race out to the mall without a sound spending
plan, says Michael Rupured, a family financial management
specialist with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

“Know how much money you can spend,” Rupured said. Limit your
buying to the cash you’ve set aside for the season, holiday
bonuses and charges you can pay off right away.

Remember to allow for parties, cards, clothes and other things
important to your holiday season. And when you get to the stores,
don’t be too quick to buy.

Whoa

Don’t decide on an item on the spur of the moment, he said. Take
your time, think about your needs and the amount of money you
have.

Shop and compare to find the best values, he said. Compare
features, quality, prices, charges for installation, delivery,
credit and service.

Use the phone or Internet to find information rather than running
from store to store. Sometimes the amount you save isn’t worth
the cost of your time, energy and transportation.

Make the most of your shopping dollars, too, by shopping at the
start and the close of a big sale. The first day offers the best
selection, but the prices may be lower on the last day.

Cost cutters

Examine factory seconds and irregulars carefully. These items
have flaws or imperfections. Find the flaw and decide if it will
make a difference.

Look in your newspaper classified ads for items, too. Buying
person-to-person often saves money.

Shopping online can be an easy way to get special gifts, and
Rupured expects it to be a huge part of this year’s holiday
buying. But do it carefully, he said.

Use a secure browser, shop with companies you know and keep your
passwords creative and private. Pay attention to shipping
charges. Print out and keep records of your purchases.

Be careful, he said, not to let
any of your purchases come back
to haunt you:

• If you buy gift cards, make sure you understand the terms.
  Some companies begin charging fees after a relatively short time.
  These fees can eat up the value of the card.
• Bargains that are too good to be true are usually just that.
  Expect a fair and reasonable price for goods and services.
• Read labels, seals, tags and instruction booklets. Ask
  questions. Get the facts before you buy.
• Check warranties. Find out what is promised, who stands
  behind the promises and what you must do to benefit from a
  warranty.
• Read and understand contracts completely. Know what promises
  you’re making before you sign your agreement.
• Return a purchase that’s damaged, didn’t provide reasonable
  wear or didn’t live up to the guarantee.

(Dan Rahn is a news editor with the University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)