By Chuck Myers, McClatchy-Tribune News Service –
Consumer stress levels tend to rise when the holiday shopping season hits.
Therefore, any advantage a shopper can get before embarking can help take the edge off the experience.
Several websites offer a variety of useful holiday shopping and purchasing advice, from payment options and budgeting considerations to time management.
Here are a few sites worth a visit:
—Consumer Reports: Contains useful insights on devising a strategy for holiday shopping. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/shopping/shopping-tips/holiday-shopping/overview/index.htm
—Better Business Bureau: Offers eight tips to manage the hectic shopping season shopping. http://newyork.bbb.org/bbb-shopping-tips-for-the-holiday-buying-rush/
—Everything Christmas: Spotlights 10 tips for avoiding holiday shopping lines. http://www.everythingchristmas.com/story/tipsavoidline.html
—Federal Trade Commission: Provides advice on getting the best deal through online shopping during the holidays. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/11/holidayshopping.shtm
—National Foundation for Credit Counseling: Features guidelines to help keep holiday shopping stress-free.http://www.nfcc.org/consumer(UNDERSCORE)tools/consumertips/consumertips(UNDERSCORE)07.cfm