Tips for Holiday Shopping

We are in the midst of the busiest shopping weeks of the year. Odds are, you will be heading to the mall or shopping online to get the best deals this month.

Here are some holiday shopping tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help protect yourself and your purchases while shopping online:

1) Know who you are dealing with - Only purchase from legitimate retailers. Make sure the company has contact information and research their reputation online.

2) Know what you're buying - Online purchases have the disadvantage of not being able to physically handle the product before buying. Make sure you read the product description and be sure the item is in good condition.

3) Know what it will cost - Use price comparison sites to be sure you are getting the best deal and be sure to factor in shipping costs.

4) Pay by credit card - When paying by credit card, purchases are protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Never pay cash for online purchases!

5) Read the fine print - Be sure to read the terms and conditions of the sale, including the return policy.

6) Keep records - Print and save records of online transactions and monitor credit card statements frequently.

7) Don't email financial information - Legitimate companies will not ask you to email them personal or financial information including credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.

8) Check the privacy policy - You should be aware of what information the retailer is collecting about you as well as who the information is shared with and for what purpose.

The Economy Can't Trim Christmas Tree Sales

Although the economy is in a less than desirable position, Floridians are still going all out for Christmas. 

A drive in nearly any Florida neighborhood will tell you that there is nothing "depressive" about this Christmas. People are decorating with more lights and props than previous years and don't seem to be cutting back on tradition at all. 

Christmas tree sales are another example of this. So far, tree sales have survived the holiday spending cuts, despite initial fears of a slow season. 

The president of the Florida Christmas Tree Association explained this unexpected Christmas spirit by saying, "I think people just like to have a Christmas tree; it's not the most expensive part of Christmas, really, it's a symbol."

Of course, this is true. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a tree and some lights.