FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than a week before Christmas, many people will be heading out to buy gifts and the experts at ConsolidatedCredit.org advise consumers to evaluate their finances before rushing to the stores.
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Consumers are expected to spend an average of $749.51, which totals $586.1 billion this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Howard Dvorkin, CPA and founder of ConsolidatedCredit.org, warns consumers that waiting until the last minute to go holiday shopping can upset financial stability.
"Procrastinating shoppers risk not finding the gifts they wanted to buy as well as being in danger of overspending and incurring credit card debt. These consumers may end up paying for gifts six months or more after the holidays are over," said Dvorkin.
With the average credit card debt per household holding steady, consumers who already have debt should be especially careful with their spending, Dvorkin said.
Dvorkin's last minute shopping tips:
- Design a plan before going holiday shopping. Since time is short, assign a gift for each person and choose the stores that offer the best deals.
- If you hate to shop enlist help. Get one of your "I finished my shopping before Halloween" friends to shop with you.
- E-gift cards can be the perfect solution if you're running out of time. Gift cards give individuals flexibility to purchase what they like. Visit giftcards.com or giftcertificates.com to select different retail stores and card designs.
- For those who just won't step in the mall during the holidays, a magazine subscription can be a great option. Most magazines sell subscriptions online at very affordable prices. If shipping takes a long time, wrap a current copy of the magazine and write a note saying that the next magazine will be arriving soon.
About: ConsolidatedCredit.org, founded in 1993, is one of the nation's largest credit counseling organizations and has helped over 5 million people. Their mission is to assist families throughout the United States in ending financial crisis and solving money management problems through education and professional counseling.
Media Contact: April Lewis-Parks
[email protected] – 954-377-9344
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Howard S. Dvorkin
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=44547
SOURCE ConsolidatedCredit.org
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