News Release Archive
BUSINESS/CONSUMER SERVICES--SHORTENING THE CHRISTMAS BILL SEASON ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Department of Business and Consumer Services cautions consumers to carefully budget their time and money to avoid paying holiday bills long after the season ends. "The holiday season is designed to be a joyful occasion, not something that adds to our worries," said Business and Consumer Services Minister Sandy Jolly. "It's often easy in the midst of heightened advertising and the festive spirit to forget all about budget limits and simply buy gift items without considering where the money is going to come from to pay for them." For consumers who are determined to avoid the trap of still paying for Christmas in April, the department offers some helpful tips: - Pay cash or use your debit card. It's much easier to get carried away if you use credit cards or your line of credit. - Think twice before skipping payments. Many financial institutions offer the opportunity for loan customers to skip a payment or will waive the December monthly payment for credit card holders. This is often done to encourage people to charge more purchases and run up an even higher debt. - Right-size your shopping list. This year, focus on the people you most want to give to. For instance, some people like to buy for all the children on their list and then exchange names for adult gifts. Buy for couples if they share a common interest, such as cooking or travel. - Entertain simply. The main idea behind entertaining is getting together with friends. Eating and drinking in moderation is now the trend. Parties don't have to be lavish to be fun. - Travel wisely. If you're heading home for the holidays, go with a friend. Rent a car or carpool to save some hard-earned cash. For those who are flying, the best bargains are found by booking early. - Give gift certificates and money. These gifts are always right, especially for teens. With so many stores having after-Christmas sales, gift certificates and money go a long way. For college students, give long distance certificates, food and movie vouchers, or certificates for the campus bookstore. - Make your gifts. Hand made presents bring back nostalgic memories of old-fashioned holidays and are always in style: cookies, candy, antipasto, decorations, mittens and slippers. - Give the gift of time. Time is a valuable resource and even those on a strict budget can give a friend free babysitting time, vouchers to help with homework, or certificates for snow shovelling. - Make your own accessories. Wrapping paper and decorations can eat up a large portion of a Christmas budget and it is no secret that making them can save some dollars. Simple newspaper or brown paper can look quite enticing with some ribbon and stickers. Gift tags can be made from old Christmas cards -- or generated on a computer. - Buy in multiples. Often gift ideas are suitable for more than one person on the Christmas list. For example, if the teenage trend is wearing flannel boxer shorts, purchase enough at a "two for one" sale to give to nieces and nephews as well as sons and daughters. - Use the phone. Save time and gas miles by calling ahead to see if the store has the item in stock and at what price. Often they will hold the items upon request or identify another outlet that has the item in stock. Catalogue shopping is also great for those who want to save on gas and avoid the crowds. Of course, the best tip of all is to start your shopping on Boxing Day, well in advance of the next holiday season! -30- Contact: Louise MacDonald 902-424-0394 trp Nov. 25, 1996 - 10:33 a.m.