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If the problem is overspending, identify the circumstances surrounding it (e.g., using the credit card, shopping at a store with easy credit) and avoid them. Take out money from the bank and quit when it's gone, or avoid the stores with enticements to expand credit. Difficulty making up your mind? Identify gifts that are "good enough" for each person on your list and then set a time limit on how long you can look for the "great gifts" before going ahead with the good enough. The Mall Paradox: We may think that a mall with thousands of options will make it easier to find the right present. But all those options may just jam our channels and make it harder to think and decide. The calm of a smaller shop, perhaps even with a pleasant clerk, can bring alive your decisiveness — and creativity! It can also make a big difference to sit down ahead of time and write a shopping list in the quiet of your own home. You may find yourself much more creative in a quiet environment than in the busy mall. Waiting until the last minute?
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Of course, there's planning ahead, but folks already know that. You may be susceptible to the illusion of endless time. Thinking there's lots of time available, we wait for the perfect shopping moment to materialize — and it never does! You may need to schedule some shopping time for yourself. Chronic procrastinators might consider setting an early date to begin shopping and start by creating a list of people who will be getting gifts. Keep the list handy and add to it as you think of gift ideas. Having that list handy may also prompt recognition of some easy opportunities to pick up a few items from it. Put it all in perspective. In addition to making lists of gifts for different people and times to go shopping, try sitting down and listing out what's important to you in the holidays. Then see how the shopping fits into that. . The Express Mail Bailout. |
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