Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Time’s winding down for you to get all of your holiday shopping done, which can make you feel a little stressed as you come down to the wire. But before you go loopy trying to find the best present for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, make sure you’re not putting your safety or wallet at risk — follow these holiday shopping safety tips instead.

• Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute: We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again — waiting until the last minute to go holiday shopping makes you more likely to spend more money on presents just so you’ll have something to put under the tree.
• Save All Your Receipts: There can be a bigger chance of having fraudulent charges on your credit cards during the holiday season since thieves think you won’t notice random purchases in all the shopping mayhem. Keep your receipts so you can check your statements and dispute any false charges.
• Don’t Take Out Money Until You Have To: Don’t go flashing all the cash in your wallet before you get to the register. A thief would love to know how much money they could get from you early on.
• Keep Your Purse and Wallet Close: Deter pickpockets by keeping your purse close to your body and your wallet in an inside jacket pocket or front pant pocket.
• Take Care When Shopping With Children: Always make a plan in case you and your children get separated, and designate a specific meeting place where they should go in case they get lost.
• Beware of Online Bargains: If you’re on an unfamiliar website and something sounds too good, it probably is, so don’t make a purchase and put your credit information on that site.

As the holiday season rolls on, you should want to protect your finances even more. At American Investment Planners LLC, we make it a priority to help you prepare for the best financial future possible. From managing your cash to 529 savings plans, we’re here to help with anything you may need. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.