The holiday shopping season officially starts this week and it’s easy to
give in to impulse purchases. Mint,
the leading personal finance app from Intuit
Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), shares five simple tips to help holiday
shoppers stay focused and on budget.
Shop Smarter
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Set a budget. It's easy to get swept away in the shopping
frenzy and end up spending more than one can afford. Designate a
specific dollar amount for each item or person and don't deviate from
the plan.
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Research before shopping. Compare in-store and online
deals. Take advantage of free shipping and buy one get one free
offers. Some stores even offer “doorbusters,” hot-ticket items either
sold at a massive discount or that hardly ever go on sale. Quick
research upfront can save time and money.
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Show retailers loyalty and get rewarded. Visit a favorite
store’s website and sign up for email updates or coupons to get the
latest information on new products and promotions. Many retailers also
share deals on Facebook and Twitter.
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Understand return policies. Sometimes an incredible deal comes
with strings attached. Know store policies before shopping and be
aware of no-return policies, shortened return/exchange time frames and
restocking fees.
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Protect yourself and your money. Be aware of surroundings and
keep money and receipts tucked away. If storing gifts in a vehicle,
don’t put them in plain sight. Always log off when making online
purchases.
"Staying on budget during the holidays can be difficult, but it’s
important to take control of your money before it controls you,” said
Vince Maniago, group product manager for Mint. “Mobile personal finance
apps like Mint categorize your spending and give you a clear picture of
where you’re spending your money. You can easily create and track a
budget so you can enjoy the holiday shopping season without losing sight
of financial goals.”
More than 13 million users rely on Mint to better understand and do more
with their money. Mint is free and provides users with a convenient way
to view their financial accounts in one place and easily create and
stick to budgets. Mint mobile apps are available for iPhone,
iPad and iPod touch as well as Android
smartphone and tablets.
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About Intuit Inc.
Intuit Inc. creates business and
financial management solutions that simplify the business of life for
small businesses, consumers and accounting professionals.
Its flagship products and services include QuickBooks®,
Quicken® and TurboTax®,
which make it easier to manage small
businesses and payroll
processing, personal finance,
and tax preparation and filing.
Mint.com provides a fresh, easy and
intelligent way for people to manage their money, while Demandforce®
offers marketing and communication tools for small businesses. ProSeries®
and Lacerte® are Intuit's
leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants.
Founded in 1983, Intuit had revenue of $4.2 billion in its fiscal year
2013. The company has approximately 8,000 employees with major offices
in the United States, Canada,
the United Kingdom, India
and other locations. More information can be found at www.intuit.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2013