Holiday Shopping Habits: Which Type Are You? (And How They’re Screwing Your Finances)

Ah, the holiday season—a time for joy, cheer, and financial ruin. According to a recent survey by Landmark Credit Union, 54% of Wisconsinites feel the financial strain of holiday spending well into the New Year. Let’s break down the four main types of holiday shoppers contributing to this annual economic disaster:

1. Bargain Hunters (40%): These deal-chasing maniacs will trample their own grandmothers for a 10% discount. They scour every Black Friday ad, convinced that saving a few bucks on a toaster will offset their maxed-out credit cards. Spoiler: It won’t.
2. Early Birds (27%): These overachievers finish their shopping more than a month in advance. While the rest of us are procrastinating, they’re smugly wrapping gifts in October. But let’s be real—buying Aunt Linda’s scented candle in September doesn’t make you a hero.
3. Last-Minute Shoppers (16%): These adrenaline junkies thrive on panic. They’ll be the ones elbowing you at the mall on December 24th, grabbing whatever’s left on the shelves. Nothing says “I care” like a gas station gift card.
4. Year-Round Gatherers (16%): These hoarders collect gifts throughout the year, only to forget where they hid them. Come December, they’re tearing the house apart, cursing their past selves for being so “organized.”

Despite these varied strategies, nearly half of the respondents (45%) admitted to carrying holiday debt into the New Year. So, whether you’re a bargain hunter or a last-minute lunatic, remember: no one wins when you’re still paying off that inflatable Santa in March.

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