The holidays are just around the corner and that means fun, family and… gift stress! The search for the perfect present can sometimes be difficult, but with good planning and smart tools you can make it a lot easier for yourself. This way you can enjoy the holidays to the fullest.
1. Start today (and make a list)
Procrastinate, procrastinate and then…panic! Why wait until the last minute with your purchases? Make a list today of what you need and who you are buying it for. Also think about your budget: how much do you want to spend per person? By starting early, you can compare prices and reduce the chance that popular items will sell out.
2. Shop smart
Online shopping is convenient, but how do you know if you are not paying too much? And whether the site you buy from is reliable? Price comparison sites and shopping apps can help you with this. Clarna for example, it has a handy price alert that lets you receive notifications when the price of a product drops. This way you can score the best deals without having to search for hours. This platform compares the prices of more than 7 million products from more than 1,700 stores. You can also budget smartly with the Pay in 3 option. This allows you to pay for your purchase in three equal installments, without additional costs. This way you have just a little more breathing space in a period when many costs come together. And that this can be very useful, because only 17 percent of consumers stick strictly to their budget, according to research that Klarna conducted among consumers in our country. So the rest spend more than planned.
3. Shop safely
Online shopping can also involve risks, such as incorrect orders or products that do not arrive. More than half of online shoppers are concerned about this. That’s why it’s smart to choose payment options that protect you if something goes wrong. Klarna offers special and extensive protection to buyers for this. If you have paid but have not received your order (or if it is significantly different from what you ordered), you may be eligible for a refund. Exceptions apply, read more about that here.
The three different payment options are also useful: Pay now (via a secure bank transfer), Pay Later (only pay once you have received the product and want to keep it) and Pay in 3 (pay in 3 installments).
4. Choose reliable stores
Always check whether an online store is reliable. Look at reviews, quality marks and payment methods such as post-payment. This provides extra security when purchasing online. Online shops can vary considerably in price. Therefore, use a price comparison site.
5. Come up with a theme
You often can’t see the forest for the trees. So many gifts cause choice stress. Make it easier (and more fun) for yourself by choosing a theme for your gifts, such as books, homemade items or something people can do together. This limits your options and makes your search a lot easier.
Do you want to know more? Then go to the Klarna website for useful shopping tips and also discover how you can pay flexibly.