Last week my 9 year old asked why Christmas decorations were already up in the parking lot of our local shopping center. She promptly told me it was wrong since we didn’t even celebrate Thanksgiving yet. I sighed heavily and agreed with her, but then I really thought about it. Why do retailers sometimes skip from Halloween to the December holidays? The simple truth is – people need to plan. The holidays are expensive. If you rush out the week of Christmas and run around buying everything you need all at once, how do you think you would feel? My guess is FRAZZLED! With the countdown already on to the holiday season, it’s probably better to start shopping sooner rather than later. You don’t want your wallet to go into shock do you? Now is the time to plan ahead, buy a little at a time, and make sure you take advantage of the Kmart Layaway program. Most Layaway contracts are eight weeks long, and there are 7 weeks left until Christmas, so this is the best time to shop and pay over time.
Here are a few ‘Layaway Lessons’ to keep in mind:
1.) The cat ate your Christmas tree. OK, so even if you don’t have a cat but last year’s Christmas tree was on its last limb and this is the year you need a new one. On the other hand, maybe you just got a cat and the days of having a real tree are over. Either way, you need some new decorating digs. Pick up a pre-lit tree (because that’s the way to go), LED lights, wreaths and village houses now and pay them off in time for decking those halls!
2.) Your gift list has grown. Maybe you have found a new group of friends, entered into a new family or you’re just feeling extra generous this year. Long gift lists call for Layaway. Fill that cart to the brim and roll it over to the Layaway counter. Your pals won’t know you paid their gifts off over time.
3.) Money is tight this year. It’s not just you; many of us are watching our spending. If you’re having trouble staying afloat while keeping those bills paid, Layaway is a must. Not only will you avoid ‘wallet shock,’ you’ll keep your pre-holiday peace of mind.
Whether you have one or 100 items , you can Layaway almost everything on your list without paying a service fee through 11/23. Plus, you can pay in store, online or using a mobile phone. Eight or 12 weeks later (depending on your contract) pick up your items and you’re good to go! Bonus: After you figure out how easy it is, you can Layaway all year round at Kmart.
How are you planning to financially manage your gift purchases this holiday season?
This is a sponsored post. I am a Kmart blogger, though all opinions are my own.
[…] Last week my 9 year old asked why Christmas decorations were already up in the parking lot of our local shopping center. She promptly told me it was wrong since we didn’t even celebrate Thanksgiving yet. I sighed heavily and agreed with her, but …read more […]