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From December TransUnion Newsletter. Q$ p/ ]# x. b! B, @, S$ r
* q5 e+ B3 m$ u! z# IHoliday credit tips to keep you merry6 h+ n3 [$ ^; |+ ~
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It's the most wonderful time of the year—a time for family and friends, festive decorations, holiday cheer, and of course, shopping. According to Statistics Canada, consumers are likely to spend an average of $800 during the holiday season. Just think of how all that spending will affect your credit profile and credit score.
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Now is the time a budget really matters. But there's no need to be a Scrooge this holiday. All it takes is a little planning and dedication to keep the spirit of the season of giving alive, without the worry of huge bills.# z4 T6 s! Z/ p3 m
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Make a list. Check it twice. a) H2 u/ P& o* R4 a {# l
Before you start your holiday shopping, determine how much you can afford to spend. Make a shopping list with gift ideas and spending ranges for each person. Be sure to include prices for holiday extras, such as decorations, wrapping paper, and cards. Sticking to a list can keep you from impulse purchases and overspending. Once you have a list, you can even use it to shop online to find the best deals. 2 ]0 k/ z- w# p3 ?$ O1 A. j
6 w" b! W5 H; V' s2 USpend wisely.
/ k7 H8 R! @! v. h4 lDevelop a workable budget for your holiday needs. Prior to shopping, research your limits to avoid overusing your cards (you should keep your credit card balances well below 35% of your available limit). Choose just one credit card to use for buying gifts. You could also just use cash, which is much easier to track while shopping.
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And be careful about opening in-store credit cards. Though it can be tempting to save 15% on your holiday purchases, consider this: the interest rates can be high and applying for a lot of cards can damage your credit score.1 _8 d* ^* k' c* F& s5 r% x
5 H" r; f8 D3 V/ nPlan ahead.
3 _8 l. g! O+ {! i5 v& LStart your shopping early to avoid overpaying. Find a plan to pay off your holiday debt quickly so you're not swamped with bills well into the New Year. You can start saving money ahead of time for the January bills by cutting back on small things such as specialty coffee and dining out. It all adds up!
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, K' Q! z2 p5 e' Q( y& wIf you are already struggling with debt, try not to go further in to debt during the holiday season. Get creative and make your gifts this year. Homemade cards and baked goods will go far with friends and family.
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( V2 E, n& Z4 V) j2 U4 N) hGuard your goods.! S2 b) ^, j/ A
Not everyone is on the "nice" list this season. So protect yourself from identity theft: shred unwanted receipts to keep your personal information safe; pay close attention to your statements to ensure there are no unauthorized purchases; while shopping, keep your handbags and wallets close, as it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and lose track of your things. And if you choose to shop online, always use secure sites. |
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发表于 2007-12-3 15:39
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