Consumers may not feel so jolly once they head into this year’s holiday shopping season. According to a national survey by Experian, many respondents are concerned about the financial stress of gift buying and adding debt, as well as becoming an identity theft victim.
When it comes to their finances, a majority of survey respondents believe holiday shopping is a strain (60 percent), and almost half feel obligated to spend more than they can afford (41 percent). When asked how they feel about holiday shopping, 29 percent of respondents feel stressed and 21 percent feel overwhelmed. According to respondents, there are several reasons for the seasonal anxiety: It is difficult to stay within budget (38 percent), there is no extra money to buy gifts (35 percent), and 26 percent do not want more credit card debt.
Credit is the key for many consumers’ merry holiday, allowing them to get the gifts they desire. Respondents plan to spend an average of $806 for gifts. Forty-nine percent of surveyed consumers plan to use credit for almost a quarter of their expenditures; in fact, 12 percent of respondents plan to open a new credit card for holiday shopping. Unfortunately, missing payments or opening new cards can damage a consumer’s credit profile – ten percent of respondents say holiday shopping has negatively affected their credit scores.
“The holidays can prove to be a challenging time for many consumers trying to manage their finances,” said Rod Griffin, director of Public Education at Experian. “Credit is a useful tool if it is used wisely, but it’s best to create a budget and determine how much one can afford using credit so there are not overwhelming bills to pay in the New Year.”
Some respondents have taken that insight to heart, based on these credit-related New Year’s resolutions: pay off a credit card (28 percent), pay the full credit card balance each month (25 percent) and pay credit card debt on time (21 percent). Fourteen percent plan to check both their credit report and their credit score more often.
Identity theft is no gift
Identity theft and fraud can also damage a credit report and score. Fifty percent of respondents are concerned about identity theft during this holiday shopping season — almost 60 percent among those concerned are millennials, who have grown up in an age of digital crime.
Consumers surveyed feel the risk is both present while shopping at “brick and mortar” retail locations or online with 55 percent choosing both as equally vulnerable. While 30 percent of respondents cite online shopping as riskier (30 percent), almost half still plan to shop online.
“Consumers understand more than ever before that their identities are at risk no matter how or where they shop,” said Michael Bruemmer, vice president of Experian Consumer Protection. “It’s important that they take steps to protect their information and check financial accounts more frequently during the holiday season so they can catch possible fraud quickly.”
Will consumers be naughty or nice with their spending?
- Unfortunately, 9 percent of respondents plan to pay off their credit card charges late
- Only 43 percent of respondents plan to have a budget this year
- However, more than half of respondents have saved 52 percent of their total shopping budget
- Almost a quarter of surveyed consumers will use reward points to buy gifts (22 percent)
Consumers will use a mix of payment approaches
- A majority of respondents will pay cash to purchase gifts (53 percent)
- Almost half of surveyed consumers will use a major credit card (49 percent)
- Eighteen percent of respondents will use a store credit card
What precautions will consumers take to protect their identities?
- Fifty-four percent of respondents anticipate shopping only on personal internet connections or networks
- Fifty-two percent of respondents will check to see if the site is secure
- Fifty-one percent of respondents log out of personal accounts after shopping.
- Forty-eight percent of surveyed consumers will go to websites directly instead of clicking on links – Source
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I wonder how many Americans even bother to celebrate holidays anymore. I don’t waste my time with holidays at all and it’s been at least six years of no stress. I recommend trying it once and go from there. No xmas, no Thanksgiving, no Easter, no New Year’s, no Fourth of July, etc. Wasted $0.00 and had more fun than we thought possible. When people don’t get raises to keep up with inflation or the cost of living then cuts have to be made. The added stress of medical bills, student loans, mortgages, etc. are bad enough without adding credit card debt and the holidays.
That is certainly one strategy. Personally, I tend not to buy greeting cards anymore. I usually take the person with me to the store to show them the card I would have bought. Best part is we get to spend time together instead of money on a card.