Pick the best of the summer bargains and you'll start your holiday with a smile.
A few more days and we'll be bang in the middle of the holiday season. Given Dubai's central position on the world map and the great connectivity it offers, most of us living here prefer to travel to different destinations abroad to enjoy our summer break. Some of us also prefer to go back home and make the most of summer with family and friends.
Either way it's the season of cheer, a time to let go of all worries and work-related stress and just enjoy the thought of shopping and planning for that much-needed break. With the Dubai Summer Surprises starting tomorrow, shopping will be a lot more fun with all the deals and promotions on offer.
But it also means that we'll be tempted to splurge, often ending up buying things we don't need. Spiralling living costs in the UAE, which includes a hike in rent and rising prices of rice and pulses, have forced many of us to keep spending under control.
So, if you really don't want to continue paying for this holiday next June, here are some tips that might come in handy.
For starters, make a list of things you need to buy for yourself and for your family and friends and then draw up a budget. Without a proper budget it's very easy to overspend.
Don't wait until the last minute to go and shop. You will need time to check out the different deals and promotions on during DSS.
This year there will be 25-70 per cent off on products at Nine West, Aldo, Tommy Hilfiger, Jeanswest, Charles and Keith, Naturilizer, Kenneth Cole and Pedro among others.
At Inglot you will be getting two eye shadows for Dh50, as against the actual price of Dh90. There are also special deals on the latest digital cameras from Kodak.
With every camera there will be a free memory card and a travel case. Al Futtaim will also have a value-added offer, giving every Seiko quartz watch buyer a leather executive carry bag.
Honest opinion
To avoid overspending, it is always better to take cash when you go shopping, says Kelly Lundberg of Divine, a personal shopping service for men and women. "Also, buy things you really love and not just like. Ask yourself, would I buy it if it were on full price?"
Take a friend with you for an honest opinion, advises Lundberg. He or she might ask questions like "do you really need it?" or "you've got this in your wardrobe already", which might set you thinking.
Good friends can be great conscience keepers because they observe you closely and are not afraid to speak their mind.
Check the "returns" policy. Many shops don't take back things once purchased on sale. So, if you don't want to take a chance, don't buy it.
Malls can be overwhelming, so don't tire yourself going around in an unplanned manner. That way you will end up buying more things, even if you decide only to window shop.
It's better to go to the shops that suit your tastes and ones you are familiar with. You can also check out the different stores in a mall and their products on the internet before you start shopping. This might just save time and energy.
Be realistic
If you are planning to buy furniture for your home, it's best to invest in a sofa, advises Lundberg. You can jazz up a sofa with bright cushions and throws, which light up your home instantly. Also look for deals on televisions and DVD players.
Be realistic when you tell your children what you can afford. Ask them to identify things they really need and check if they are within your budget.
Toys R Us will be having some great offers on gaming software and hardware. Also there will be offers on board games, such as scrabble and monopoly that keep children busy indoors during the summer months.
Gaming consoles such as the Ninetendo Wii Fit will also have great offers on them during DSS 2008.
Credit cards and loans are frequently used to make up for a lack of holiday cash. Both allow you to repay the amount owed over a period of time, although you pay for this advantage in finance charges.
Remember to budget for the credit card and/or loan payments that you make.
