Plan those holiday budgets

By: Fran Daniel | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: November 01, 2009

In these hard times, the holiday season could be challenging for a lot of folks when it comes to gift-giving.

So how can people manage their holiday gift lists?

First, they should create a firm budget to get a better handle on holiday spending, according to Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Forsyth County Inc.

"Include in it not just what you're going to spend on gifts but what all of your holiday spending is going to be," said Kathy Banks, the nonprofit's director of counseling.

For example, don't forget to budget for wrapping paper, bows and cards.

Banks also suggested making such gifts as baked goods and homemade items, to save money.

Here are a few more tips from Consumer Credit Counseling Service to help people spend wisely for the holidays:

□ Review last year's spending and delete items that were unnecessary.

□ Make a gift list and put a specific amount to be spent on each person.

□ Make a plan to use cash for all purchases.

□ Do not apply for new store credit cards.

□ Clip coupons.

□ Use any unspent gift cards you've received to buy presents and holiday items.

□ Comparison shop. Many stores will honor competitors' prices.

□ Try re-gifting and holding trading parties for gifts people no longer want.

Dillard's to convert store

Dillard's Inc. is turning its 150,000-square-foot department store at Oak Hollow Mall in High Point into a clearance center.

"We evaluated the situation in the market and believe that's the best use for the property at this time and the best way to approach the marketplace at this time," said Julie Bull, a spokeswoman for Dillard's.

She said that the clearance center will receive merchandise from other Dillard's stores in the area that is typically marked down from 50 percent to 75 percent off.

Bull said that the conversion is underway and should be complete in several weeks.

Center lands travel agency

A Way To Go Travel, an agency that specializes in corporate and leisure travel, plans to open at Shoppes on Little Creek off Hanes Mall Boulevard by mid-December.

This is the second location for owner Chuck Joyce. There is an A Way To Go Travel on West Wendover Avenue in Greensboro.

The Winston-Salem location will be at 3756 Creekshire Court near Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

fdaniel@wsjournal.com
727-7366