March can be a slow shopping month, especially if you compare it to February, with its Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Days sales. However, March isn't totally blank when it comes to sales.
Look for sales on television sets, cruises, luggage, winter sports gear, and seasonal fruit, according to DealNews.com.
On the what not to buy list are android phones, spring apparel, gym memberships, and lingerie.
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It’s January and it’s a famous month for getting lots of items on sale. However, every month of the year usually offers bargains.
Here’s information from DealNews, a website listing bargains, so you can make a plan for saving throughout the year:
January
Gym memberships, white sales with deals on bedding and towels, winter clothing especially winter coats, fitness equipment, spring travel, holiday décor
February
Winter apparel, home goods, television sets, non-traditional Valentine’s Day gifts
March
Chocolate, frozen food, St. Patrick’s Day food, cruises, gift cards, luggage
Continue reading "Guide to getting bargains throughout the year" »
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Not every gift is going to be perfect for its recipient. You may need to return some items after the present exchange.
Return policies
Stores have varying deadlines for returns. You need to know about them so you don’t try to return an item months later and find out you’ve missed the deadline.
Retailers often give consumers at least 30 days to return an item, and some allow more time. Certain stores give you 60 or 90 days, but there's usually a cutoff for getting cash back – after that, you’ll probably receive a gift card.
Some stores extend their return deadlines during the holiday season. Look for special return dates for purchases made in November and December. Apple, for example, usually gives you 14 days for returns. However, if you order your items online between Nov. 15 and Dec. 25, you’ll have until Jan. 8, 2020, to return them.
Receipts
Hopefully, your Christmas delivery will come with a receipt. Or, you’ll keep your receipt if you buy the gift in a store. If you don't have a receipt, you may be able to return an item and get store credit. However, some retailers will reject your return if you don’t have the receipt.
No returns
Retailer have varying policies, but really exclusive items, used items, and final sale products probably can’t be exchanged or returned. Remember to read the fine print or check the return policy before you ask for a return for these items.
Identification
Some retailers request a valid ID when you ask for a return. That’s because shoplifters are less likely to return an item for cash if they have to give their names. Plus, it helps retailers track irregular return patterns.
DealNews, a comparison shopping website, offers the following return policies for well-known stores:
Continue reading "Return policies for 48 stores this holiday season" »
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Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but there are still deals to be had. Watch the sales, and you can find bargains. However, there are some items you want to avoid buying in December. Here’s what Dealnews.com recommends you look for and avoid in December:
What to buy before Christmas
What to buy after Christmas
What not to buy in December
For details, see “The Six Best Things to Buy in December (Including After Christmas Sales).”
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Cyber Monday has a reputation for being the leftovers from Black Friday. However, it can actually have the better deals. Americans spent an estimated 27 percent more money online on Cyber Monday than on Black Friday last year. One reason is probably it’s more convenient to order deals on Cyber Monday than fight the Black Friday crowds.
Tips for shopping on Cyber Monday include:
Make a plan. You need to have a holiday budget for spending. Don’t let possible deals on Cyber Monday lead you to overspent.
Do research. Know what the prices are for the items on your list. That way, you won’t be fooled by deals that really aren’t deals.
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It’s estimated that 116 million people will be shopping on Black Friday, either in stores or online.
It’s the biggest shopping day of the year, and it can be a good day to find bargains if you’ve compared prices and done research on which stores are offering the best deals.
Another shopping tip is to make a holiday budget so you aren’t tempted by impulse items.
You also need to know which items – such as winter clothing, major appliances, and fitness equipment – shouldn’t be purchased on Black Friday because they’ll often be cheaper later.
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In order to get the best deals on Black Friday, be sure to make a shopping plan in advance. In addition, you also need to know what not to buy on Black Friday. Not every deal is a good deal, even on the biggest sales holiday of the year. So, before you start shopping, check out the following list from Dealnews.com on what not to buy on Black Friday:
Winter clothing
There's a 15 percent tariff on many products imported from China, including most clothing and textiles. That means even the best deals will probably be more expensive than they were last year.
Winter apparel may be an even worse buy on Black Friday, as retailers won't start clearing out winter gear until late in the season. You'll likely see better sales for winter wear in January than November — but due to tariffs, you can still expect to pay a little more.
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I gave up on Black Friday years ago. I went with my daughter in Sacramento. It was my idea to go to the mall and get some great deals. However, we didn’t do any research, so we didn’t “happen into” anything great. I told her on my next visits, I’d rather go for a hike than go shopping again.
However, you can score deals if plan ahead. See my article “Get Prepared for Black Friday With This Strategy Guide” for tips.
Another source of information is “2019’s Best Places to Shop on Black Friday” by Wallethub analysts.
The following is a list of the best places to shop for Black Friday:
Continue reading "Best places to shop on Black Friday 2019" »
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Black Friday can be an exciting time; however, it also may be overwhelming. By being prepared for Black Friday, you won’t miss the best deals.
Dealnews.com recommends these strategies to help you have a smoother experience:
Make a budget now
The first step is deciding how much you can afford to spend this holiday season. Determine the items you absolutely must have, including gifts and other purchases you've been saving for. And be sure to leave room for incidentals, such as pop-up holiday parties or friendly gatherings. After you’ve made a list, calculate the maximum amount you can afford – and be prepared to stick to it.
Continue reading "Get prepared for Black Friday with this strategy guide" »
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Just a few hours now until ghosts, goblins, and witches come knocking on your door.
Will you be one of 76 percent or less of Americans spending $50 or less on Halloween this year? One of 32 percent throwing or attending a party? One of 44 percent carving a pumpkin? One of 49 percent decorating their home? One of 47 percent dressing in a costume?
Americans will spent $3.2 billion on costumes this Halloween. Princess, superhero, and witch are the most popular costumes for children, while its witch and vampire for adults. For pets, its pumpkin, hot dog, superhero, and bumble bee.
For more details on today’s fun day, see “Facts and Figures for Halloween 2019.”
Whatever your plans, I hope you have good time. And, make sure those little ones are safe as they make their rounds. Happy Halloween.
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