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Gift Giving Guidance That Won’t Turn You Into A Grinch

November 23, 2015 By Lena 25 Comments

I can’t believe I’m admitting this… but I’ve already succumbed to Black Friday sales.

Now, before you “tsk tsk” or otherwise tell me I’m a weak individual, you should know that I thought long and hard before I made the purchase. (Just kidding. I literally jumped online, bought the boots and then sent out a link to my friends so they too could score a great deal.)
shoesAnd while it was completely convenient for me to shop online on a Saturday morning in my pajamas, therein lies the dangers of online shopping: it’s simply too easy to spend money. If, for example, my girlfriend had told me about this sale in-store, I would have had to (1) decide if it was worth the trip, (2) get ready to face the cold, (3) find parking at the mall… okay, you get my drift. 

Instead, I made an impulse purchase, and within 30 minutes, four other friends had made similar impulse purchases.
shoemeNow here’s the really scary part. This was just one isolated purchase. If I don’t reign in my spending now, what will happen during the Christmas shopping binge? A recent TD survey found that when it comes to purchasing gifts for loved ones, instead of battling the busy malls, more than seven in 10 (72 per cent) of Canadians surveyed do at least some of their holiday shopping online. Not surprisingly, the same survey found that over one-third (37 per cent) of those who do most of their holiday shopping online are more likely to say they spend more than they would in store.

To help savvy shoppers plan their online holiday shopping without breaking the bank, TD worked with Cathie Mostowyk, online shopping expert and president of Shoestring Shopping Guide Inc., to help create and share a list of some simple budget-conscious shopping tips:

· Pick your price: Canadians love a good bargain. The TD survey found that 57 per cent of Canadians surveyed shop online looking for better pricing. You can use online shopping to compare prices so you can help ensure you get the best deal without having to face a crowded mall.

· Sign up for savings: Sign up with your favourite retailers for their email updates. They often send out information about upcoming sales, or special pricing and offers for their subscribers.

· Maximize rewards: Think about taking advantage of loyalty rewards. For example, there are a variety of redemption options available to TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite credit cardholders, including redemptions for travel purchases as well as for brand-name merchandise and gift cards.

(Did you attend our #TDInfiniteTravel Twitter Chat last week? If you did, you already know all about the perks of the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card!)

· Consider international expenses: If you’re like the 39 per cent of Canadians surveyed who shop online for the ability to shop with international retailers, make sure you factor in duty taxes, exchange rates, and consider the return shipping costs, as those costs can quickly add up.

· Cut shipping costs: Many stores offer reduced or even free shipping with a minimum dollar amount spent. Think about how many people you can cross off your list from one retailer – it can help save you time and money.

And my best tip? Show a little restraint. Walk away from your online cart at least once to ensure you’re 100% happy with your purchase. With these budget-conscious shopping tips, and a little luck on your side, may the Black Friday sales be ever in your favour!

This post is sponsored by TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: rewards program, shopping tips, TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Soozle

    November 24, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Those boots are amazing :) Great score!

    I LOVE Black Friday sales – they are often way better than Boxing day and the crowds (if you are not online shopping)are half the size! Win win

    Reply
  2. kathy downey

    November 24, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    Thanks fir all the tips and ideas,i love a good deal but i also love to save the bucks

    Reply
  3. Debbie Bashford

    November 25, 2015 at 7:11 am

    I have never made a purchase on Black Friday, I was tracking what I wanted leading up to the day, and it’s price was higher, they upped the retail price so the sale price looked good, but in fact it was not. So now I just can’t be bothered plus with the prices on everything going up and my income has not, well I am buying way less.

    Reply
  4. Chandra O"Connor

    November 25, 2015 at 7:33 am

    with all that has happened in my life this last few months, penny pinching is the way I have to go. hopefully they dont think im a grinch

    Reply
  5. JaimeeM

    November 25, 2015 at 9:41 am

    I dont shop on black friday, never have, possibly never will. I dont notice much of a price difference on a lot of items from black friday to regular sale prices.

    Reply
  6. Judy Cowan

    November 25, 2015 at 11:30 am

    Even though it is easy and I love it I do try and limit my shopping online because I find it is just too easy to make those impulse buys. No Black Friday shopping here, I am going to avoid looking at any of the deals.

    Reply
  7. lori novak

    November 30, 2015 at 11:30 pm

    those boots are absolutely to die for. But no, I avoid crowds on those busy days. I like to bargain hunt the whole year through@!

    Reply
  8. Tiesha Dorleans

    November 30, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    Those boots are so cute

    Reply
  9. Lana Hood

    December 4, 2015 at 9:55 am

    I often fill a csrt online and then walk away to reconsider. Love the boots.

    Reply
  10. Melinda L.

    December 10, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    Good tips. I always check out the exchange rate and shipping cost before I commit

    Reply
  11. Angelehm

    December 19, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    These are the best looking mukluks I have seen and I am putting them on my list for next year. Maybe I might get them. My small 1/16th of native heart beats faster just looking at them. I miss my moccasins they gave me years of comfort!

    Reply
  12. DebH

    December 28, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    love these boots!

    Reply
  13. BlessedTA

    January 1, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    Nice boots

    Reply
  14. kathy downey

    January 3, 2016 at 1:06 pm

    Wow,i love those boots

    Reply
  15. Suzie M

    January 5, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    Love the boots & thanks for the tips, anytime of year it is too easy to shop online

    Reply
  16. Wendy Lange

    January 9, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    These look so cozy!

    Reply
  17. Jo-Anne Pfoh

    January 9, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    those boots are to die for now i want a pair

    Reply
  18. loucheryl

    January 16, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    My sister has boots very similar to yours. They are so warm and pretty. LOVE Black Friday sales and look forward to them every year. :)

    Reply
  19. Janice Cournoyer

    February 22, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Black Friday’s are getting more popular than our Boxing Day. I say Yay.

    Reply
  20. Donna Wilson

    March 17, 2016 at 5:43 am

    Love those boots!

    Reply
  21. Susan T.

    March 20, 2016 at 8:55 pm

    Those are super cute boots! I love online shopping too. Nothing better than avoiding the crowds and shopping in your PJ’s!

    Reply
  22. kathy downey

    June 10, 2016 at 6:17 am

    Online shopping is just so easy for me i love it and can do anytime and anywhere..just how easy it that !!

    Reply
  23. Elizabeth Matthiesen

    June 27, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    I hardly ever shop online and if I do it’s through my son who’s quick at finding the best offer. The only thing that I do buy on like really are flights.

    Reply
  24. Darlene Wissenz

    July 12, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Love these boots and their look

    Reply
  25. kathy downey

    February 4, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    Those are sweet boots bet they are real comfy too !!

    Reply

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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