| | | | | December 2022 Feeling the pressure to find the perfect holiday gifts this season? You’re not alone. According to a new LendingTree survey, more than half of all Americans say they’re stressed about gift–giving this year — with affordability topping the list of concerns, especially as inflation is still such a big budget–buster. If you’re among this group, we offer some strategies below to help you replace some of that holiday fear with holiday cheer. —Ismat Mangla, Editor Snag a credit card offering 0% introductory APR to help you pay off holiday purchases over time Signing up for the right credit card before making your holiday purchases can make it a lot easier to pay them off over time with a little breathing room. A credit card with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) can help you finance big purchases or transfer a balance from a high-interest credit card. When choosing a card with a 0% APR, look for: | | An introductory interest-free period that’s longer than 12 months | | | Sign–up bonuses or rewards that match your spending | | | Low or no annual fee | We’ve highlighted the best 0% APR credit cards available right now on our website. Pro Tip “We all need some help extending our holiday shopping budget this year. A credit card offering 0% on new purchases for a year or longer can do just that. When used to buy big-ticket items, the savings can really add up, and that’s a big deal at a time when the cost of seemingly everything is rising by the day.” —Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree | | A personal loan can help you finance your holiday purchases — even if your credit is not in tip-top shape A personal loan is a fixed–term loan that consumers can use for virtually any purpose. And because it comes with fixed repayment periods and potentially low APRs, you may pay less than you would with a credit card. While you should never take out a personal loan for more than you can afford to pay back comfortably, the good news is that you can borrow a smaller amount just to cover your holiday expenses. Find personalized rates on holiday loans at LendingTree. Worried that your credit isn't in the best shape? You can still qualify for a personal loan. We round up the best lenders offering personal loans for bad credit. These types of loans generally come with fixed rates and are offered by lenders willing to loan you funds despite your limited credit rating. And they can actually help you build credit so you can eventually become eligible for better loan terms and other financial opportunities down the line. | | Worried about your energy costs this winter? Here’s how to save Inflation isn’t just impacting your holiday spending — the cost of keeping your home warm and bright this winter is also being affected. The newest consumer price index shows a 1.8% monthly jump in the energy index for the first time after three decades. Translation? You’re going to be paying more for heat this winter than you ever have before. But there are things you can do to save on your energy bill this winter: | 1. | Lower your thermostat. Even bringing the temp down by one or two degrees can lead to significant savings. You might need an extra layer of clothing or a heavier blanket at night, but the savings could be worth it. | | 2. | Contact your energy company. Some companies offer payment plans to help make your energy costs more manageable over time. You can spread out some of your winter costs to the spring, when you’ll presumably need less energy. And some companies offer financial assistance programs or discounts that can help you lower your bills. | | 3. | Focus on weatherproofing. Seal up leaks around doors and windows that cause energy bills to soar. Add insulation to your water heater. Use draft snakes on doors. Consider putting up film insulator kits on windows. | | 4. | See if you qualify for government assistance. There are a number of assistance programs available through the federal government, and possibly your state, to help you with energy costs. You have to qualify based on income, but it’s worth checking what’s available to you. | | | | |
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