Did you know the average shopper will spend more than $1100 on holiday gifts? It’s definitely a time of giving, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your bank account or spending habits. We’ve put together a list of Holiday Shopping tips to help keep you (and your finances) in merry spirits this Holiday Season.
Earning Rewards
As the Holidays get closer and closer, you may be tempted to start (or complete) your holiday shopping. Cash may be king, but we have a few reasons to make plastic your friend during this holiday season. Taking advantage of using plastic during your holiday shopping could help you save money and earn some pretty nice rewards.
Holiday shopping is the perfect time to earn rewards points. Earn points easily by doing things you normally do like shopping in store or online sales, going out to eat, or doing fun family activities. When shopping with your Eagle VISA Debit or Credit Card for every $1 you spend, you earn 1 point.
Budget and Expense Tracking
One of the best things about the holidays is the gifts. While it can be a lot of fun to come up with ideas, shop for, and eventually buy gifts for others, there’s no need for your bank account and personal finances to suffer. Consider using your cards to budget and monitor your spending.
Using cash gives you a definitive limit on your spending, but using your credit or debit card conveniently tracks where your money goes. Creating a trail of exactly where your money is going is a great way to track your holiday spending which is important for staying on budget. If you don’t want to wait until the end of the month to view your statement, take advantage of mobile banking apps and keep up with your spending in real time.
Online Shopping
Does the hustle and bustle of the holidays have your time in a crunch? Can’t find the time to make it to those sweet holiday sales? Try taking advantage of online shopping.
If you don’t like large crowds or can’t find the time to visit your favorite stores this holiday season, chances are you can still make that purchase online. Many stores have exclusive online only deals and may carry a larger variety of items in their online inventory. Shopping online is easy. Simply visit your favorite store’s website, find your item, enter your card information, and voilà. Your gifts are on their way, and your holiday shopping is complete without busy malls or long lines.
*Disclaimer, please be careful when entering your card information online. Only buy from authorized sellers and stores you trust.
Safer Travel
The holidays are the perfect reason to travel. Spending time with family and friends is what makes this time of year special to a lot of people. Don’t allow traveling to be tough on your bank account.
No matter where you go this holiday season, please notify your credit union that you are traveling so that they can take the proper measures to ensure that you enjoy your time away.
Booking flights, hotels, and renting cars is a lot easier when using your debit or credit card. Many places allow you to reserve these things with your card and pay however you wish upon arrival or completion of the service. While it is a smart idea to carry some cash, using your debit and credit card while traveling can give you a little extra protection. If you use your Eagle VISA Debit or Credit card you don’t have to worry about misplacing your cash or having it stolen. You’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your money is safe.
When traveling within the United States you can take advantage of Co-Op Shared Branching if you need to access your accounts. Traveling abroad? No problem, most countries support the use of a VISA card and you won’t have to worry about trying to figure out cash exchange fees.
In the event that you lose your card, report your card lost or stolen and you can rest assured that your money will still be in your account. The holidays are a great time to travel, but they are also a time of heightened security risks. Stay safe and keep your money safe by using your Debit and Credit cards when traveling.
Apple Pay
Technology and gadgets are always popular around the holidays. New TVs, phones, tablets and more line the shelves. However, there is one piece of tech in your pocket that could save you a little time this year. If you have an iPhone, we’d like to tell you about your ability to use Apple Pay with your Eagle VISA Debit and Credit cards.
Once you set it up, Apple Pay is one of the most secure ways to pay for things. No need to fumble with actual cards or worry about having your card number scanned or skimmed. Your card number is never stored and there is no transaction data that can be tied back to you. Your Eagle VISA Credit and Debit cards have the ability to take advantage of this amazing technology that makes shopping safer and easier.
This concludes our Holiday Shopping Tips email series. We hope you learned something and that you have a happy and safe Holiday Season!
