L. Marie Dubuque's Blog
Posted by L. Marie Dubuque
I admit, I over-spent during the holidays, but not by much. This year I planned ahead better than ever before and took advantage of savings. I get cash back from my credit card. So I saved up all year and took the cash in the form of gift cards.(You usually get more that way) My son’s teachers all got $25 book-store gift cards for the holidays. The way I look at it, I got those presents for free!
I also took advantage of buy one-get-one-free deals for other gifts. Still, all those extra holiday tips and last-minute gifts left me a little cash-poor. So this year, I am going to plan for Christmas starting now! I am going to open up a Christmas Club account at the bank and start putting away money for the holidays.
I’m also taking advantage of after-Christmas sales to buy for next year! Sweaters are half-off, so as long as you’re not buying for someone who is still growing, that sweater will make a great gift for Christmas ’08.
My New year’s resolution is to save more. So that extra money in my checking account will go straight into a savings account or certificate of deposit. I’ll earn more interest and that money will no longer be available for me to spend.
I’m not saying I will stick to my holiday spending budget rigorously next year, but hopefully if I start saving now, I’ll have more to spend and I won’t feel as bad if I overdo it just a little!
Posted by L. Marie Dubuque
71 percent of online shoppers report they are able to find better sales and discounts on the internet than at a local mall. That's according to the National Retail Federation. Then why are consumers still heading to the mall in droves?
After the recent tragedy in Nebraska are people re-thinking their holiday shopping plans? It doesn't appear so, as shopping center parking lots are as jam-packed as ever and lines are still forming in front of Santa at center court. Even the carolers near the door haven't missed a beat, and talk of beefed up security is being drowned out by the whirlwind of shoppers loaded down with packages, making a beeline for the escalators.
Will the internet ever take the place of the traditional American shopping mall? Probably not. You can't get a steaming double-shot latte online. You won't smell the aroma of freshly baked pretzels on the internet. And you can't virtually try a sample of the latest Calvin Klein perfume...Or can you? It may not be that far in the future. Already you can download entire books electronically. Does that mean traditional book stores are going the way of the dinosaurs?
I for one, love the entire mall experience. As soon as I get there I grab a vanilla ice storm at the Nordstrom coffee bar. Then I head on over to the shoe department to see the latest styles. After which I check out the hottest lipstick colors in cosmetics, maybe getting a free make-over in the process.
I can't do any of this online. But if I'm in a hurry, or looking for a specific hard-to-find item, the net is the place. So, the internet vs. mall shopping? There's probably no contest. Both will be with us for a very long time.
Posted by L. Marie Dubuque
You can’t turn on the TV without hearing about how the housing market will affect consumer spending during the holiday season. The other day I read an article in USA Today discussing the plummeting housing market. Experts predict that this is not the end. We should see home prices continue to spiral downward. Because we feel like our homes aren't worth as much, does that make us want to spend less at the mall? I know I am pinching pennies this year. Not because I feel any poorer, but because the deals are so great out there! Why should I pay full price for something I can get for free. Victoria’s Secret was giving away free slippers with a pajama purchase. I knew I needed a new pair of PJ’s, and slippers would make a great gift for someone.(They’re very cute by the way.) So I went ahead and paid full price, $39 for the pajamas. Then two days later they went on sale for $29.50. You know that sinking feeling you get when you’ve just been robbed! So I call up Victoria’s Secret. The nice lady tells me "no problem," they’ll credit me the difference. Apparently, if the item you bought goes on sale within three weeks after you purchased it, you’ll receive the sale price.
A lot of merchants I’m finding are bending over backwards for customers this holiday season. Is it because of the bleak retail forecast, or are retailers finally getting the picture? Treat your customers right and they’ll come back! Maybe there is a slight upside to the gloom and doom of the housing market, and ever increasing gas prices. Whatever, I’ll take the bargains.
