Published November 19, 2019

The holidays are a fun time full of family gatherings, food, and gift exchanges. Shopping can be both exciting and chaotic during the holidays, so here are some tips that may help during the busy season:

1. Make a list.
   • Put together a shopping list on the Notes app on your phone, or ask Alexa/Google Home to make a list for you. Making a list ensures that you do not forget anything and avoids a second trip to the store. Sticking to the list also minimizes impulse purchases and overspending (Healthy Eating for Seniors on a Budget, 2018).
2. Beware of scams.
   • Common online shopping scams tell you that you have won a contest that you did not enter. These scams also offer very low prices on highly valued items.  (Safer Holiday Shopping: Tips for Seniors, 2018).
3. Trust the familiar.
   • Use trusted retailers you are familiar with while shopping online. Visit the websites of stores you already shop at. Check to see that there are customer reviews and contact details to determine if the website is legitimate (Safer Holiday Shopping: Tips for Seniors, 2018). 
4. Use coupons.  
   • Google discounts, promotional codes, and sales for your favorite stores. When valid coupons are available, check the fine print for the discount code. You can take pictures of the coupons/barcodes and pull them up on your phones at the store (Safer Holiday Shopping: Tips for Seniors, 2018).
5. Protect your personal information.
   • Do not provide more information than is required. Avoid using public Wi-Fi at locations like coffee shops to make purchases as well. These freely available Wi-Fi connections are not secure, so refrain from making purchases. (15 Tips for Safe Holiday Online Shopping, 2018).
6. Use alternate transportation.
   • Use Uber or Lyft to drive you to the mall to avoid having to worry about crowded parking lots. You can also store your purchases in the Uber/Lyft trunks on your ride home. (Not Just for Millennials: Ridesharing Apps Have Revolutionized Senior Transportation, 2018).
7. Choose your shopping trips wisely.
   • Visit stores and malls during weekday mornings when they are less crowded. Avoid shopping on days right before or after a big holiday. Bring a small cart with you to help you carry all of your purchases (Holiday Shopping Tips for Seniors, 2012).
8. Use the buddy system.
   • Pick a friend to go shopping with and catch up with them at the same time. Or, bring a neighbor/ friend shopping who may not be able to go alone (Help for Elderly Loneliness during the Holiday Season).   
9. Understand different payment methods.
   • Check to make sure that the store you purchase at accepts the payment method of your preference. Consider newer payment methods on your mobile phone such as Venmo and Apple Pay as well. These types of payments are handy because it speeds up the transaction process and provides you with a digital copy of the receipt.
10. Check your accounts.
    • Utilize online banking to check for fraudulent charges on your credit/debit cards. Scammers sometimes make smaller charges that might not raise red flags on your account (Safer Holiday Shopping: Tips for Seniors, 2018).

References

Fowler, K. (2018, November 29). Safer Holiday Shopping: Tips for Seniors. Retrieved from https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/safer-holiday-shopping-tips-for-seniors/.

Healthy Eating for Seniors on a Budget. (2018, July 25). Retrieved from https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/blog/2018/07/26/healthy-eating-for-seniors-on-a-budget/.

Help for Elderly Loneliness during the Holiday Season. (2017, September 14). Retrieved from https://www.ngcare.com/archives/help-for-elderly-loneliness-during-the-holiday-season/.

Porter, K. (2018). 15 Tips for Safe Holiday Online Shopping. Retrieved from https://www.lifelock.com/learn-internet-security-safe-holiday-online-shopping-tips.html.

Ridesharing Apps Have Revolutionized Senior Transportation. (2018, April 3). Retrieved from https://www.retireathome.com/not-just-for-millennials-ridesharing-apps-have-revolutionized-senior-transportation/.