American Consumer Credit Counseling explains how to successfully shop online this holiday season
Boston, MA – December 6, 2018
Shopping online is an excellent way for consumers to purchase gifts for their friends and family without having to endure the hustle and bustle of the mall during the holidays. Although shopping online can be relaxing, it is easy to get carried away and forget about a budget. To help guide consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling provides six helpful tips to shop online successfully.
“Holiday shopping can be very exciting, but it can also get out of hand very quickly, especially when shopping online,” said Steve Trumble, President and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling. “Before you start, make a budget to help avoid overspending and buying just to buy. Make sure you do your research to make sure you are getting the best deal possible.”
According to Adobe Analytics, online shopping this holiday season is expected to hit about $124 billion, a 14.8 percent increase from 2017. The annual Holiday Retail Survey by Deloitte expects that total holiday spending in 2018 will surpass $1.1 trillion, a 5 percent increase from 2017. The survey also found that online shopping is expected to account for about 57 percent of total purchases.
ACCC explains how to shop online during the holidays.
- Shop Smart – It is very easy to get carried away while shopping online. By using your debit card, you are more apt to stay on budget.
- Read Reviews – Get the best value for your money by doing some research. Read reviews and do comparison shopping between items. Consider all your options before impulse buying.
- Check Promotions – Search for promo codes and coupons online. Use discount sites, such as Groupon, for added discounts.
- Budget for Shipping – Don’t forget to budget for shipping costs in your estimates. Many sites offer free shipping during the holidays. Take advantage or eliminate shipping costs by subscribing to Amazon Prime trials.
- Know the Return Policies – Be aware of what the return policies are for the items you purchase. Make sure you’re able to return something if you change your mind.
- Be Safe – Consider the importance of cybersecurity. Shop from reputable sites only and secure your computer with up-to-date anti-virus software before making purchases.
ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:
- For credit counseling, call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling, call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at ConsumerCredit.com
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. To help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, homeownership, identity theft, senior living, and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators, and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
