Credit Tips for Christmas
Here is some great advice from the Ohio credit union association. Follow these tips to avoid getting in over your head this holiday season. No one wants to still be paying for Christmas in March!
– Make a list of who you will be buying gifts for, assign a dollar amount, and stick to it.
– Avoid using credit cards. Instead, pay for gifts with cash.
– Shop early and compare prices.
– Take advantage of sales, coupons, and special offers received in the mail.
– Don’t shop for yourself.
– Pay with a credit card if you can’t use cash; don’t use a debit card. Under federal law you can dispute credit card charges if you don’t get what you were promised. You also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on your credit card.
– Protect your identity by not using debit cards when purchasing gifts online.
– Know return and exchange policies for the stores where you make purchases.
– Have a plan for paying off your bills. For example, make up your mind to pay off your bills by Valentine’s Day. You don’t want to still be paying for holiday gifts on the Fourth of July.
