Business & Finance Resource Center Essays & Articles Select a Category... Personal Finance Small Business Home Business Career/Employment Stocks & Bonds Real Estate Resource Center Main Page & Index
Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store Academy Showcase Specials		Cut Your Holiday Bills in Half   Most of us have a certain number of holidays that we celebrate each and every year. That means quite a number of extra "gifts" that will need to be purchased for family and friends. In a bit, you will learn exactly when to get the best bargains on holiday merchandise, and how you can save you quite a bit off your "gift" shopping bills. HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS Every single year, about a month and a half prior to any "major" (popular) holiday, most retail and department stores offer holiday related merchandise. For example, you'll probably find: Halloween Costumes - October Santa related decorations - December Autumn and turkey decor - November Hearts/Candy assortments - February As each holiday approaches, the majority of the general public rush to buy these high priced "holiday" gifts a few weeks or days before the celebration. Stores expect this. They love the holidays. Why? Simple. Hundreds and thousands of eager shoppers will come through their door and spend, spend, spend. KEY TO SAVING MONEY You can use the 'retailers tradition' as an incredible chance to save money. What is the 'retailers tradition'? Immediately AFTER any given holiday, retailers clear out ALL holiday related inventory in order to make room for the next. Think of it this way, how many of you NEED to buy a Halloween costume after October 31st? Not many right? In addition, stores do not have the time, space, or manpower to pack leftover holiday merchandise and store it in a warehouse until next year. There is little or no profit in it for them. Instead, stores advertise HUGE post-holiday sales with discounts generally ranging from 30%-80% off normal retail prices. They need to get rid of the merchandise, and depending on an items popularity, are willing to sell at a very low price. Here is your chance to stock up on gifts that you KNOW you can give to someone the following year. Remember, nothing perishable of course. If at all possible, designate a large plastic container as a "Gift Box" where you store all the gifts that you buy throughout the year. To take this idea one step further, keep a list of all the people you exchange gifts with. When you come across a gift for someone in particular, you can then cross them off your list. TO SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY When you go to a 'post' holiday sale, check the prices and quantities of the items you want. Ask the store manager if the merchandise isn't sold within a week, will the price be lowered even more. Generally, stores do not have much time to clear out inventory and if the merchandise isn't selling, they will lower it to a price that will sell. If you have the time, check every other day to see if there are any more price reductions. Better yet, ask the manager to call you if the prices get lowered. You might find the manager offering you an additional 20% off just for inquiring for future price reductions. CONCLUSION When purchasing gifts throughout the year, you get to put more thought into what you are buying for someone. Your shopping will be done with ample time to spare, and you'll avoid those over crowded mall excursions. At the same time, you'll get holiday related merchandise at 30%-80% off regular retail prices when bought immediately after the celebration. By the time Christmas or Valentines Day comes around again, you won't find yourself spending $900+ on presents that most likely will be forgotten in a month or two. Try this shopping strategy after the next major holiday. You'll be surprised at how much $40 can buy you.   © Copyright 2005 -- http://www.SavingSecrets.com. Get immediate access to over 500+ pages of effective money-saving articles, newsletters, and downloadable ebooks directly at their website. Because The Radical Academy publishes essays and articles on its website does not imply acceptance or approval of the comments or opinions expressed by the author of the material. Nor is the Academy responsible for any misrepresentation of the facts included. It is your job to be a critical reader. Enrich Your Life With A Business Or Finance Book Enrich Your Life With A Business Or Finance Magazine Resource Center Main Page & Index
-- Top of Page -- [Homepage] [Newsletter] [Search] [Support the Academy] [Link to Us] [Contact the Academy] [Citing Articles from Our Website] [Privacy Policy & Disclaimer] Copyright 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, & 2004-05 by The Radical Academy. All Rights Reserved.