Despite the Heat, Summer is Great for Winter Holiday Shopping

UNDATED -- If this heat has you thinking about cooler days, think about putting those daydreams to work and get a jump on the upcoming winter holiday shopping.

Despite all this heat, July is a good month to start your holiday shopping. Deep discounts are available online and in stores, says Stephanie Nelson, the "Coupon Mom."

"They're selling perfectly good toys and electronics for 75 to 80 percent off in September," Nelson says.

A survey by the non-profit Consolidated Credit Counseling Services found more than 40 percent of respondents say they are still paying for the gifts they gave last December. This year's number is up from 30 percent in 2005.

Nelson recommends cutting back on such fixed household expenses as telephone and Internet service, and channeling those savings into early holiday purchases being offered at big summer discounts.

"Certain categories of gifts are at rock bottom prices in different months," she says.

Art and school supplies will go on sale in August, and items such as electronic games, CD players and radios will go on sale at savings as high as 80 percent in early fall.

Nelson also says online shoppers should be aware of rebate Web sites. Clubmom.com and Upromise.com are two sites that "give you an actual dollar rebate amount back for your spending, and you're paying the exact same price as going directly to the online retailer," Nelson says.

Upromise.com will deposit the money buyers save into a 529 tax-deferred college saving plan.

For more information on money saving shopping tips, click here.

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