CreditCards.com's guide to online holiday shopping 2009
We're shopping earlier, budgeting more, going online for bargains
For the 2009 holiday season, we're shopping early, we're shopping with a budget and we're shopping online, according to studies.
One in five Americans have already started their holiday shopping, according to a survey from performance marketing firm Performics.
The 2009 Online Buyer Economic Trends Study says one in five consumers began their winter holiday shopping in mid-September. While they may not be spending wildly -- the recession is prompting people to keep their credit cards in their wallets -- 29 percent of those surveyed said they plan to start their shopping earlier than they did last year.
In addition, research into this year's holiday shopping patterns from Information Research Inc. predicts that 2009 will be the season of the online budgeter. Only one in five shoppers will not have a budget. In addition, an 18 percent increase in online shopping from 2008 is expected, when only 41 percent of consumers shopped online, according to the firm.
That will put more people into cyberstores than ever, putting them at risk for actions by the ever-present cybergrinches. Here are ways to avoid them.
When it comes to shopping online, be cautious rather than fearful. We've got some hints to help you shop with as much peace of mind as possible.
New solutions are being created to further safeguard credit card information. Here are some of the most widely used, and safe, online shopping alternatives.
As credit card companies continue to tighten their lending standards on card users, some are using purchasing data -- gleaned from millions of card transactions processed daily -- to weed out who may or may not be good credit risks.
As Internet criminals grow smarter and sneakier, it's increasingly difficult to keep your credit card and personal information safe. Here are four fundamental tips.
The deals you can find on smaller websites can sometimes be greater than those of the giant online retailers. The problem is -- so can the danger.
See related: Video: Holiday shopping tips, Shopping and credit cards
Published: October 14, 2009
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