| More parents are forsaking the crowds and going | | | | policy. Some merchants charge a restocking fee, and |
| online to find that special gift. Along the way, they are | | | | most will expect you to pay return postage unless the |
| saving time and money and, sometimes, finding an | | | | product is defective. And of course, "brick and mortar" |
| original or unique gift. While online holiday shopping | | | | stores like Toys "R" Us let you exchange gifts in |
| takes different skills, they are easy to master. | | | | person. Note that some gifts must be returned |
| Here are some tips to help you shop online like a pro: | | | | unopened, such as DVDs, CDs and computer |
| • Use a shopping engine to comparison shop. | | | | software. |
| Web sites such as and are especially useful if you | | | | • Use a secure payment system. To know if a |
| have a specific category in mind. Simply select a | | | | seller is offering a safe checkout process, look for |
| category, then a subcategory, and you're on your way. | | | | logos from companies such as PayPal or VeriSign. |
| Once you decide on a possible gift, the shopping | | | | Buyers should look for PayPal Buyer Protection on |
| engine will show which online stores offer it and at | | | | eBay, a free program that offers increased security |
| what price. Some shopping engines also offer | | | | by covering up to $2,000 for nondelivery of items, or |
| merchant and merchandise reviews. | | | | products that are delivered not as described. PayPal |
| • Searching for a Nintendo Wii or the latest | | | | never shares personal financial information with |
| Harry Potter book? If you've been looking at your local | | | | merchants. |
| toy store these past months, you may have come up | | | | • Shop off-season. Next year, consider |
| empty. Yet chances are there are several of these | | | | shopping for toys in August, when stores host big |
| hot items online. You may need to pay a little extra, but | | | | sales to make room for holiday merchandise. January |
| for many online stores, even the most in-demand gifts | | | | and February are also big sale months, after the |
| are never sold out. | | | | holiday shopping season ends. |
| • Don't forget eBay. eBay is a treasure trove | | | | • If your kids like to play dress-up, the day after |
| of toys and collectibles, some heavily discounted, from | | | | Halloween is the best day to find discounts on |
| the most popular to the extremely rare. | | | | costumes. Major chains and drugstores that only sell |
| Saving Money And | | | | costumes once a year for Halloween slash prices to |
| Shopping Safely | | | | move inventory. |
| Shopping online is a great way to stretch your dollar | | | | • Use your computer to stay within your |
| during the holiday season. Some of the best deals are | | | | budget. Nearly one-third of adults spend $100 to $500 |
| available online. | | | | over budget during the holidays. With online shopping, |
| • Look for special "online only" offers. For | | | | your computer can help you track funds. For example, |
| example, the Toys "R" Us Web site has a "Toys | | | | with PayPal, you can set gift budgets, monitor holiday |
| Clearance" section where you can often save a third, | | | | spending, and transfer funds from your bank account, |
| a half or even more off the retail price. Of course, the | | | | eliminating any postholiday credit card debt. You can |
| items change regularly, but typically span the | | | | also track your budget with a financial program such |
| spectrum-from Play-Doh to Darth Vader masks. | | | | as Quicken, or just with a simple spreadsheet. |
| • Always check the return policy before | | | | All of these tips are not only worth knowing, but also |
| making a purchase. This is especially important when | | | | worth teaching to your children. Sooner or later, they |
| purchasing clothes online, but most reputable online | | | | will make online purchases of their own-so they might |
| merchants maintain a "satisfaction guaranteed" return | | | | as well be smart about it. |