Author: Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, Savings Plans, First National Bank of Omaha

From Thanksgiving through the holiday season, there are no shortage of festive occasions between now and the end of the year. While the holidays may look a bit different this year due to the impact of the pandemic, there is still a way to make everyone feel special on your list, and make this holiday season one to remember. To help spread the holiday cheer, we’ve put together some tips for consideration to help improve your holiday shopping experience and help keep your budget on track.   

Create a Plan
Before doing any shopping, create a list of what you intend to purchase and for whom. Having a clear plan ahead of time helps to ensure you don’t go overboard, and stick to your allotted budget.

Get Crafty
Homemade gifts can be the perfect way to show your loved ones you care. From art projects to personalized coupons to baking delicious treats, there are a multitude of low to no cost gifts you can make for your loved ones that they will enjoy just as much as store bought items. Check out DIY blogs and Pinterest for great recipes, how-tos and ideas.

Compare Prices

Before making a purchase, research online to ensure you are getting the best possible deal. Additionally, make sure to subscribe to emails from your favorite brands and their competitors to get a sense of the best deals and prices for your desired items.

Be URL Mindful
To ensure you are only shopping from secure and legitimate websites, do not enter any financial or personal information into sites you have not heard of before. A good indicator of whether a website is secure and legitimate is one that begins with HTTPS not HTTP.   

Go Digital

When making any purchase, opt for digital copies of all receipts. Not only is this more environmentally friendly, but it also makes it easier to track progress on your budget. Digital copies also help ensure that you retain access your receipts in the event of a return, as paper copies are easier to misplace. 

Have a question about your Enable account this holiday season? Reach out to us via email at clientservices@enablesavings.com or at 1-844-ENABLE4.