Tag: Christmas Shopping

It’s that time of year again!  Yep, you heard that right.  It’s time to think about Christmas shopping!  Where will you get the money this year?  Credit cards?  Personal loan?  Maybe a year end bonus?  Or will you use just plain old cash?

You know, retail stores aren’t the only ones who love holiday spending.  Credit card companies stand to make a small fortune every time customers whip out those credit cards… that’s why your mailbox is filling up with all those credit card offers, with balance transfers, low interest, and rewards galore!  And, while there are some really good deals right now, be sure to read the fine print for any new offer that you consider applying for this year.

Here are a few things you’ll want to pay attention to before you fill out that credit card application:

“Interest Free” Purchases:  Seems like every offer you see, whether it’s in the mail or in the store, promises “interest free until next year.”  And while it’s true that you won’t pay interest, you do need to make sure that you can pay off that “interest free” purchase before the expiration date.  Otherwise, retroactive interest charges may be added to your account at the end of the promotional period.  (And while you’re at it, better check what the interest rate actually is when that promotional period expires!)

Balance Transfer Fees:  Be sure to read the fine print any time that you consider a balance transfer – with fees as high as 3%, you could pay a pretty hefty fee if you transfer a large balance.  And again, make sure that you can pay the full amount off before the end of any balance transfer promotion!

Store or Catalog Credit Cards:  Right now, there are lots of promotions out there… discounts, coupons, interest free until next year, etc.  Once again, check your interest rate and have a plan to pay the account off quickly!   (Store and catalog cards are actually a good start if you’re looking to improve your credit score – many of them will work with you to get you the credit you need.)

Millions of Americans use credit cards as a way to finance their holiday spending, and then aren’t able to pay it off – make sure you’re not one of them.  Set a budget, have a plan and enjoy the upcoming holiday season!

36 weeks from today is Christmas Eve!

Yes, that was the post on my Facebook News Feed just a few minutes ago.  Even though that seems like a long time from now, it’s only nine months, or a mere 18 paydays if you’re paid twice a month.  Now that’s scary, isn’t it?  Chances are you’re still paying off the bills from LAST Christmas, too.

Well, this year, why not get the drop on your Christmas shopping by starting early!  I know, April seems like you’re starting way too early, but think about it.  If you start now, you could actually have Christmas bought and paid for by the time December rolls around.  Or, at the very least, you could have your Christmas budget all worked out AND have the credit you’ll need to actually be able to afford Christmas all in place.

But wait.  What if your credit is no where near where you need it to be?

Believe it or not, you still have some pretty good options.  And these are options that might even help you improve your credit score between now and then.  Of course, secured credit cards are always a great way to build your credit score, but did you know that catalog shopping sites are also a great way to work on your credit score?

That’s right, catalog shopping sites not only work with most people to get them the credit they need, but they also report regularly to most of the major credit bureaus.  And if you are a responsible customer who uses their credit wisely and pays all their bills on time, most catalog shopping sites will increase your available credit over time.  That increases your available credit, which helps your credit score, too!

So, go ahead, start thinking about Christmas 2019 now!

You might actually find that you’re in a much better position to actually afford this year’s Christmas shopping than you think.

Right about now, your mailbox is stuffed with Black Friday ads for the impending holidays, and catalog shopping ads offering you “Preapproved” credit of $300.00 or more with your first order… but is catalog shopping really a smart way to handle your Christmas shopping?   Catalog shopping can actually be far better than trying to fight those “Black Friday” shoppers, and depending on how you handle the buy now / pay later option, you could have a stress free Christmas!

At first glance, that preapproved credit line can be very appealing, especially if your credit is less than perfect or if you don’t have enough money saved to actually pay for holiday shopping.  But should you actually take advantage of the offers in your mailbox or should you consider alternatives?

Obviously, if the offer in your mailbox is from a well known, respected catalog merchant, like a Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank, then you’re probably safe in sending an order in based on what’s in the catalog, but if you don’t recognize the catalog merchant or it’s just an application for credit, I’d be a little leery of sending in a written credit application. Instead, find the merchant online, read any independent reviews you can find, and apply online once you’ve determined that the vendor is legitimate.

Applying online is also typically faster as most applications get near immediate responses AND once you’re approved, you can usually shop the same day.  However, it’s best to take your time, study the products you’re interested in, study the pricing, and then decide how you’ll pay for what you plan to order before you actually place the order. You don’t want to be surprised by the payment terms (or interest rates) when the bill comes in after the holidays are over. Some sites, like Fingerhut, actually post the monthly payment that you’ll need to make along with the full price of the item, so you can determine if you can afford the payments.

Personally, I prefer to make a plan to pay off the account balance early if at all possible, so that I can save money on the interest rate AND see the little bump that I get on my credit score when I pay a balance in full. But in the event that you can’t pay it off early, then do try and pay extra when you can so that you, too, can save a little on the interest rate over time.

Remember, catalog shopping in itself can be a lifesaver when you don’t have the cash to buy the things that you need to buy, but you want to be a smart catalog shopper and use your credit wisely above all else.

Here are the most popular catalog shopping sites:

It’s almost impossible to believe, but it’s here again… time for Christmas shopping!

It’s literally just a little over 3 months until Christmas Day. How’s your Christmas budget this year? Do you have the cash saved up to buy all those gifts? If not, how’s your credit score? Do you have enough room on a credit card to charge it all? Do you have a credit card? Do you have credit?

You see, if you don’t have the extra cash or the credit that you need, your Christmas season quickly becomes the most stressful time of year… you try and you try to figure out where you’ll get the money for even just a few nice gifts for your family, your spouse, or your kids. And if you don’t have the money? Or a credit card to use? Relax. You still have options.

Fingerhut has long been known for working with those of us with less than perfect credit. Not only will they extend credit at times when others won’t, but opening a Fingerhut account might even improve your credit score!

So, go ahead – apply now and get the credit that you need to do this year’s shopping AND work on your credit score while you’re at it!

Last month, I wrote about the school supplies flooding the stores in anticipation of the onset of back to school shopping… hard to believe the kids are already back in school, isn’t it? Now we’re beginning to see Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving dinner ideas, and even Christmas decorations appear in the seasonal merchandise aisles, but it’s true. Yes, Christmas is literally just around the corner, and you know what that means? Yes, it’s the most expensive time of the year!

How will you afford this year’s Christmas gift giving? While there are a select few who have faithfully been saving all year, the rest of us will end up having to rely on Christmas bonuses from work, credit cards, and catalog shopping as a way to afford all of the Christmas gifts that we end up buying every year. And for some of us, even that can be a struggle, especially if you really don’t have the extra money, or you’ve had a financial setback recently.

Personally, one of the best ways that I’ve found to recover from those financial setbacks, as well as those severe cash flow shortages, is to consider doing your Christmas shopping through Fingerhut. Not only do they have nearly all of the big, brand name, most requested gifts available at competitive prices, but Fingerhut is well known for working with those of us with less than perfect credit, so not only can you get the credit you need to do your Christmas shopping, but your responsible use of that credit can be used to improve your credit score, as well.

You see, Fingerhut reports your available credit and your timely payments to all three of the major credit bureaus, so over time, and assuming that you’re seriously working at improving your credit score, most people see their credit scores begin to rise as these two factors are the most important ones on your credit report. And, Fingerhut is really good at increasing your available credit over time, too, so you’ll always have the credit with them that you need to buy those important gifts, or even something for yourself.

Isn’t it time to start planning your Christmas shopping?

(Did I mention Fingerhut’s Christmas Catalog? It is AWESOME!)

The other day, I was in one of the department stores near my house, and I noticed that they’re already pushing school supplies.  Row after row of school supplies, as a matter of fact.  Then, it dawned on me.  Once school starts, the stores will be putting out Halloween and even Christmas decorations… in less than a month, we’ll start to see them.  And Christmas is now only five months away.

Have you figured out how you’re going to pay for this year’s Christmas gift giving?

Wait, you’re still trying to figure out how to put the kids back in school, right?  And now we’re talking Christmas?  Yep, Christmas really isn’t that far away, is it?  And if your money is as tight as mine at times, just the thought of having to come up with the money for Christmas triggers a sick little feeling right in the pit of your stomach, doesn’t it?

So, how will you afford Christmas?

You know, one of the best ways that I know to do your Christmas shopping when you don’t have a lot of money is to use a trusted catalog shopping site, with a credit program like the Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank.

The thing that I like about Fingerhut, to be very honest, is the simple fact that when my credit was bad and no one else would even work with me, Fingerhut issued me a credit card for their site, and not only was I able to afford Christmas, but they also reported my regular payments to the credit bureaus, then rewarded my responsible monetary behavior with more available credit.  In fact, I probably have more available credit with Fingerhut than I do with any other creditor (and now that my credit score has bounced back, I actually have other credit cards, too).

So, when someone asks you how you’re paying for this year’s Christmas?

You might want to consider one of these catalog shopping sites:

 

This past weekend, I happened to be out and about shopping, running errands, and visiting.  It was unseasonably cool, with cloudy skies and a little rain, and the unmistakable feeling of Autumn was just there.  I’m not sure if it’s the total eclipse that is coming to our area within the next couple weeks, or what, but it’s there.  Of course, that automatically set me to thinking about the upcoming holidays, how much Christmas costs each year, and just how I plan to pay for all those gifts!

Fortunately, I signed up for a Fingerhut account a few years ago, so even if money is tight, I can still get all of my Christmas shopping done without ever leaving the house!  I just log onto my account, browse the hundreds of thousands of name brand, competitively priced gifts, place my order, and in no time at all, those boxes start showing up on my doorstep.  What could be easier?

And you know what’s even better?  There’s no ugly surprise come January with Fingerhut because I know when I place the order exactly how much my monthly payments will be!  That’s right, every item shows both the full price AND the monthly payment amount, so you know if you can afford it or not before you place your order – and let me tell you, if money is tight, knowing that ahead of time can make all the difference in the world when it comes time to pay the bill.

What about you?  Have you started planning this year’s Christmas budget?  Maybe you should consider a Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank !

Worried you might not qualify? Fingerhut is known for working with those of us whose credit is less than perfect! Not only do most people qualify for Fingerhut, but opening a Fingerhut account will usually help you to improve your credit score (as long as you use your account responsibly, of course).

So go ahead, what are you waiting for? Get started on your Christmas shopping today!

 

Want to Skip Black Friday this Year?

I don’t know about you, but going out in the dark late Thanksgiving evening, or getting up in the middle of the night, hoping to get my hands on one of a very limited number of those Black Friday Deals just isn’t my thing!  I’d much rather sit back in my comfortable recliner, browsing online until I find just the right gifts… then I simply point, click and I’m done.  Free to sit back and enjoy the holidays.

What about you?  How will you shop this year?  Will you fight the traffic, the crowds, and the madness?  Will you blow your Christmas budget on impulse buys?  Gifts that people don’t really want, need or like just because it was on sale?  It doesn’t have to be that way.  You can get the gifts you want, at highly competitive prices, AND you can do it all without blowing the budget!

With your Fingerhut account, you can sit back, choose from hundreds and thousands of name brand items on their website, and you’ll know up front what each item costs AND how much you’ll need to pay each month once the holidays are past.  It really is that easy with Fingerhut.

No Cash?  Maybe Your Credit Score is not so hot?

If you’re like most people, you’re on a tight budget and you may not have the extra cash to spend on holiday gifts… Relax!  Fingerhut has a great payment plan, and you’ll know before you buy just how much you’ll need to pay each month, so you can get the gifts you need and stay on track financially.  And Fingerhut is known for extending credit to those of us with less than perfect credit – so you’ll get a fresh start on your credit in addition to having the buying power you need this Christmas!

Think Fingerhut might be your answer to Christmas shopping this year?

Get the credit you deserve and save $50 on your first order of $200 or more with a new Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank . Use promo code NC361. Limited Time Only. Offer Ends Soon.