Shopping smart for the holidays

Retailers are worried once again about the spending habits of consumers this holiday season. As a result, many aren't waiting for Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, to start their sales. In fact, many discounts are starting this weekend so as to jump start sales.

I tend to worry more that we as consumers will suddenly quit thinking, respond to the sale signs, and whip out the plastic. Then we wind up paying for our purchase over the next several months, or longer. It doesn't have to be this way. You can take advantage of the cut in prices and save money by doing the following:

Make a budget - making a spending plan for your holiday shopping AND sticking to it will help you not overspend.

Use cash - this is the easiest way to not overspend your budget and to get the best deal possible. Some merchants will negotiate when cash is offered.

Research and shop online - Books are cheaper online than in stores. Also, comparison sites allow you to see who has the best price among a host of companies. For example, my web site, PCPriceSearch.com allows you to look for computers and do comparison shopping among several companies. eBay, Amazon, and other sites also allow you to shop and save money as well. However, make sure that shipping costs don't wipe out your cost savings.

Take advantage of layaway programs - several companies this year are allowing consumers to take advantage of layaway. If you don't have the money up front, considering this method.

If you haven't saved up your cash for this season, commit to yourself that you will begin saving for next season starting in January. It's a lot easier to budget and set aside over the course of 12 months than it is in 1 - 2 months. It will also let you avoid using the credit cards and then paying on the balances for months to come.