Don't click that link.....and other shopping reminders for the holidays

 For many of us, online gift purchasing will probably be a larger part of our holiday season this year.  My Facebook feed is one again overflowing with "Sponsored" ads.  It also seems that almost every other post is about something I "don't want to miss out on" this holiday season.  And those "50% of everything in Target" coupons are beginning to surface. Plus the "Black Friday" emails arrive daily in my Inbox.

How can you shop safely this year?  Some things to keep in mind:

First, I'd like to encourage you to shop locally this year.  Many small businesses continue to struggle during this time, and many have increased their online presence through Facebook or websites to assist you with contactless shopping. A local gift shop featuring many artists, unique gifts and a TON of jigsaw puzzles provides a very complete online inventory and the owner will bring your purchase to your car upon request. Other local businesses are also offering curbside pickup.   Just do a Google Search or Facebook search for a local business you'd like to patronize. Make "Small Business Saturday" extend for the whole season and give your local economy a boost!

If you choose to do other online shopping, keep the below tips in mind:

1) I don't click on any "Sponsored" ad or advertisement on Facebook OR anywhere online. Yes, I get very tempted, but I don't do it. If it is a product I want to pursue, I enter the name of the item or website in my browser to do a search for the product or go directly to the website. Repeat after me:   Do not buy from the link on Facebook or other social media websites.

2) Many ads are for products that are not quality items.  If you are indeed interested in an item in one of the ads, do your own search on Amazon or Google for that product, and before buying check out multiple reviews by others who have purchased the item. 

3) Many ads are scams OR are phishing for your personal data.  Some links such as "50% of everything in Target" will direct you to a fake site that looks like Target and will ask you to log in with your username and password.  Your login will not work, but they will have captured your information so that they can now use it on the "real" Target website.

Don't let the Black Friday mentality get you in its grips.  Remember - If it sounds and looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Many of our neighbors have decorated for Christmas, and I guess it is only 38 days away, but for these next several days I plan on finding excuses to be outside and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and temperatures.  Christmas shopping and decorating can wait.