PHOENIX -- Before you know it the Christmas shopping season will be upon us and if you’re like most Americans, you will be spending less this year.
Officially there are 50 shopping days left. But long before that you will be hearing holiday music and seeing malls packed with shoppers.
Chris DiMaso’s family is like many. This year they will be cutting back. “We’re doing alright, but it will be a smaller Christmas this year.”
The DiMasos aren’t alone. Last year the average American spent nearly $900 dollars on Christmas stuff. But this year half say they will buy less.
“It’s tough out there,” said Karyn LaRocca who runs Simplicity Budget Counseling in the East. She says planning is the key. Know who you are buying for, what you want to spend and start looking for sales now. And don’t forget to do it without the credit card if at all possible. “We need to get back to the old way of doing things, if you don’t have the cash you don’t buy it.”
Several stores are starting sales early, slashing prices on popular toys like Barbie and G.I. Joe, sometimes by 50-percent.
You can also take some comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Shoppers from Dallas to Detroit are dealing with the same kind of doubt like John Powell who is out of work. “With one salary and two kids in college and a mortgage, it’s going to be a leaner Christmas.”
Karyn LaRocca has one more bit of advice. Use this Christmas as a time to teach your children a valuable lesson. “Spend more time decorating the tree and baking, the things they did 50 years ago. They didn’t need $1,000 Christmas’ then and we don’t need them now.”
