Topic: The National Retail Federation
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Three best ways (and three worst ways) to finance holiday shopping
Consumers tend to rack up a lot of credit card debt during the fourth quarter, largely due to holiday expenses. This year, by one estimate, the average holiday shopper is on track to spend around $800. For many, that means financing, which remains a double-edged sword despite historically low interest rates and an array of new consumer protections. It can either save you a lot of money in interest and fees or trip you up with caveats buried in fine print that drastically inflate your expenses. Here are three of the best and three of the worst financing offers for holiday shoppers in 2012:
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Six tips to get a seasonal job
When it comes to quickly adding hundreds of thousands of workers to payrolls, nothing does the trick quite like the holidays. Companies will add hundreds of thousands of workers in the run-up to Christmas. Here are six tips to help you get one of those temporary jobs:
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Father’s Day gifts: 5 things to do with Dad for under $150
Father's Day gifts are around the corner, and we're spending the most Father's Day bucks this year on experiences. This suggests we want to spend time with Dad, more than anything. With that in mind, here are 5 suggestions for Father's Day outings that won't break the bank.
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Holiday shopping online: How to avoid the '12 cyber scams of Christmas'
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Jack-o'-lanterns and more: five symbols in the history of Halloween
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Black Friday results show cautious shopping toward Cyber Monday
Black Friday sales were vigorous, retailers report. But shoppers are cautious as the US economy struggles to recover, likely to buy what they need and not just what they want.
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After Black Friday comes Cyber Monday 2009. Is it more virtual than real?
Cyber Monday 2009 is not the biggest online shopping day of the holiday season. But if the hype continues, it could yet become just that.
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Black Friday deals: Are consumers facing them in a 'frugal' mood?
Although retailers are hawking Black Friday deals, will consumers be in a mood to take them up on their offers?
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Black Friday sales: How deep will the discounts be this year?
Big discounts await shoppers during Black Friday sales the day after Thanksgiving. But later in the season, price cuts are unlikely to be as deep as they were last year.
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Weather for Black Friday? Cold and a strong chance of shopping.
Retailers hoping for Black Friday crowds like wintery weather, which reminds people of the holidays. Meteorologists predict that's what they'll get on that big shopping day after Thanksgiving.
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Black Friday 2009 deals: Will Best Buy or online stores win?
Black Friday 2009 deals were being released before even Halloween by giants like Best Buy and Sears. What does this race to low prices mean for companies and consumers?
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Retail report: holiday sales to drop this year
Consumers are still hesitant to spend. For the year, retail sales are expected to decline about 3 percent, says the National Retail Federation.
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Money Daily Brief: Thin holidays for US retailers
US holiday sales are expected to fall 1 percent, the National Retail Federation says.
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Would a CIT failure derail the economy?
Plans for a government bailout of small-business lender collapsed Wednesday.
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Retail season starts strong, but a long haul ahead
Sales were better than expected this past Black Friday, but will it last till Christmas?
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Gift-giving gets a little smaller
Faced with tight budgets this year, many Americans put greater value on time with family.
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An economic lift after the vote?
Relief that the election is over could put some consumers in more of a spending mood.
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Retailers, banks battle over credit-card fees
Lawmakers weigh legislation allowing them to negotiate fees.
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Buzz grows over state tax holidays
Tax-free days cost states money but can prod lagging American spending.
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Gas prices fall below $4 a gallon
If the decline continues, it could buoy consumers, retailers, and carmakers.
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The rising impact of high oil prices
Americans now spend a larger share of their income on energy than at any time since 1986.
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Would tax rebates work?
The government aims for more spending, but in the past many saved their checks.
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December retail sales dip with outlook weak for 2008
Sales dipped 0.4 percent last month, and consumers may pull back more.
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