Everyone has a guilty pleasure, and when the opportunity arises containing that vice, all self control is usually thrown out the window. Weaknesses can range from the timeless pastime of reading books, eating a select food, but perhaps the most common guilty is the pleasure of shopping. With so many different places to go shopping, how could it not be amongst the highest ranking weaknesses? When the holiday season approaches, shoppers have the perfect excuse to purchase items as they make shopping an art form. After the holiday celebrations are over though, the once present happiness and excitement is replaced with dread as the one item that is never wanted arrives in the mail… the bill. So to prevent that jaw dropping moment of despair this holiday season, continue reading for helpful spending tips.

1. 1. Save. The most common mistake people make is that they’re not starting the saving process early enough. Start putting money aside a few months in advance to ensure there is enough when the time comes to spend it. Megan Goodman, sophomore criminal justice major, learned how to save money for the holidays from her mom. “Year after year, [my mom] would start saving [for the holidays] beginning in March or so. Learning by her example, I now do the same thing, and I never have to worry about having enough money to buy gifts,” Goodman remarked.
2. Set a budget. Individuals who set a spending limit for the holiday season have a higher chance of not going over the set limit. Make sure the limit is a realistic one, and is based on one’s financial standings. Anna Taylor, junior education major, utilizes her creativity on gifts. “I think that homemade gifts are more personal, and people seem to really appreciate the extra time and effort I put into their gift,” Taylor commented, “I recommend this approach to gift giving to anyone; it saves money and the receivers will more than likely prefer it.”
3. Make a list of receivers. By establishing a list of people to give gifts to, the spender is more organized. While it can be tempting to buy that snazzy little gift while waiting in the checkout line, if the purchase is not being done with a specific person in mind, chances are the buyer will keep it and it will end up in the back of that drawer - where everything without a place ends up - collecting dust.
4. Make a list of gifts. Creating a list of presents allows the spender to be more organized and lessens the urge to impulse buy unnecessary items. To keep the list accessible, individuals should have it on their phones, like Kyle Young, a freshman majoring in biology. “Everyone knows what it’s like to be out, not planning to buy anything, and then you come past a deal you can’t pass up. By having the list always on me, when times like those happen, I won’t be wasting money, I’ll be buying with a purpose,” Young stated.
5. Research. Spenders should not be fooled; every penny does count. When a person shops around, they are comparing prices and looking for the business that will give them the best bang for their buck. Freshman student Sam Williams practices smart shopping by looking through the sales flyers first, seeing where she can get the best deal. “On [Black] Friday, it’s crazy in the stores, and having a plan of where I’m going and what I’m getting makes the day less hectic,” elaborated Williams.

Instead of buying that five dollar cappuccino from the Starbucks on campus, take a minute and think about where else that money could be of use. Coffee compared to that present for Mom and seeing the joy on her face when she opens it? It’s a no brainer. This shopping season, do not turn into just a regular run-of-the-mill shopper. Instead, strive to be an expert shopper. Think shopping is fun? Wait to see just how fun shopping can be when saving money!