Questions and Concerns Continued

It's another year of shopping, and with it comes new concerns. Here to answer those questions and concerns is our resident expert, Hawkins B.A.


Who do I shop for? Do I get something for everyone I know? I know a lot of people.

-Mertyl in Sarasota

There's a simple way of doing it. First, consider the likelihood of each person getting you a gift. If the likelihood is high (for instance, they've shown a pattern of getting you gifts in the past), then they go on your list. Everyone else that you may have forgotten about we will cover next week. Last year we saved so many potential disasters by reminding folks to get something for their pool boy. Expect the same thoroughness this year.

With the sub-prime mortgage crisis and high gas prices, economists are predicting that retail stores won't do so well this year. I don't have much money this year to spend, and I'm already in horrible credit card debt, but should I spend it anyway?
-Darlene in St. Paul

Remember that if we don't go shopping, the terrorists have won. Also, remember that running up credit card debt helps out two groups, the retailer and the credit card company, whereas not spending helps only you. And that's just selfish.

I've noticed that you're not covering what we're supposed to buy for people until next week, but you're also telling us we have to buy stuff on Friday. How are we to know what to buy?
-Herbert in Boise

Black Friday isn't about buying christmas gifts for specific people, it's about buying a whole bunch of stuff really cheap, and then seeing if any of it is worth keeping (Ideabook shopping tip: keep your receipts.) You also may be able to sell it on ebay to recoup the costs of shopping for the real gifts (a good strategy for those who fall into the "no, really, I'm broke" category. )

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