Boxing day sales have become a landmark date in the shopping calendar, with many people rushing out to high streets across the country in order to pick up deals.
While the ongoing pandemic means sale season might look a little different this year, that won’t stop many of us from bargain hunting, whether it’s online or in-store, and it can be all too easy to get swept up in the madness of sale season.
In this article, we’ll explore a few different tips to help you get the most out of the boxing day sales while avoiding the temptation to overspend.
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Check if you qualify1. Set a budget
The most important step you can take to avoid the temptation to overspend is by setting a budget. If you set a strict budget based on what you can afford, you can’t go over it without knowing you’re overspending. Set a budget and stick to it.
2. Shop around
It’s easy to get excited by what appears to be an amazing deal, whether it’s online or in-store. The temptation to grab it up rather than losing out can be overwhelming – but it’s important you resist that temptation. There may be other retailers listing the same item at an even lower price, and you’ll never know unless you shop around.
3. Use price tracking sites like Which?
The boxing day sales are almost universally known as one of the best times of year to pick up bargains, so anything you pick up on Boxing Day must represent value for money – or does it? As with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many outlets inflate prices before the sale season in order to make a bigger price cut on the day. Use sites like Which? to make sure you’re really getting the best deals.
4. Know your refund policies
Getting caught up in the Boxing Day rush happens to everyone, and buyer’s remorse soon follows. Even if you’re left out of pocket and with items you don’t want, it doesn’t have to stay that way – so long as you know your refund policies. Make sure you’re armed with information like how long you have to return each item, whether you can make a return without a receipt, and whether there is an exchange policy if you’re unable to get your money back.
5. Don’t force it
Boxing Day sales are marked out in a lot of people’s calendars. For many, it’s a tradition to hit the stores and pick up a few deals, For others, it’s an obligation – why wouldn’t you shop when there are bargains to be had? But it’s important that you don’t force it. It’s been a tough year, with many people having to tighten their belts. Don’t feel obliged to spend just because it’s sale season. If things are tight, keep your money in your pocket and plan for next year instead.
What if I do overspend?
If you do overspend during the festive sales, don’t panic. It happens. Find out if you can get your money back on the items you don’t need. Alternatively, you may need to set a stricter budget until the end of January.
If this is part of a bigger problem, however, it may be a good idea to talk to someone about it. Many of us have ended up with money worries in 2020, for a variety of reasons. If you’re struggling with bills and debt you can’t pay, we can help.
Creditfix is the UK’s biggest debt solution provider. Our friendly advisers are trained to give advice to people with financial problems, and help them plot a path back to security. For free debt advice, you can speak to one of our advisers today on 0808 253 3303.
