Money Matters - Christmas Week: Half Price Sales
BOSTON (CBS) - Lots of stuff is on sale at half price right now. Those are words I just love to hear, "Half Price". Cards, ribbon, wrapping paper, decorations, candy may now be discounted as much as 70%. The large drugstore chains want to get rid of everything for they want to get the Valentine stock in. Some of the stores are actually stocking the Valentine merchandise right about now!
So check out the bargains. The sales will last until everything goes, for this is merchandise no one wants to keep around for a year. But you can easily store the extra paper in your attic or under the bed.
I like to try and find wrapping paper and ribbon I can use for next Christmas as well as during the year to wrap birthday gifts or for other occasions. The Hanukkah paper, which is usually in the blue tones, goes on sale as well right now. Look to get your Christmas and Hanukkah cards for next year.
A quick word about cards. According to Hallmark we send out 2.2 billion cards this time of year. And most of them do not get recycled. I have cut back on my card list and only send to people who are far, far away or I use the internet to send fun cards and messages.
Ornaments and decorations are also on sale now. One year I bought ornaments as stocking stuffers for my family carefully putting them away so that I could use them the following year. But I forgot I had bought them!
I found them the next spring when we moved. I had tucked them in the attic in an unlabeled box. It was so cold in the attic that I didn't take the time to mark the boxes. So do keep a log of where you have stored your bargains.
Other things that go on sale are Christmas books, such as cookbooks and children's storybooks. As long as they don't have a date on them you can use them next year.
Calendars go on sale also. Those Kiosks in the malls want to close up for the season and if you are an online shopper you'll find plenty of bargains there also.
Christmas trees. If you have decided to go the artificial tree route this is the time to buy one and many of them come with the lights.
And check out those big plastic containers to store all of the great bargains you find. I plan to shop for a new tree today!
One more thing: Only buy what you are going to use!
