MILWAUKEE — High inflation rates and increased consumer goods prices are making the 2022 holiday shopping season an unpredictable one.

Many toys and electronics are in high demand and short supply, and retailers are struggling to keep staff as the shopping season continues to grow.

Because of product shortages and increased online shopping trends, the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin said there would be an increase in purchasing scams this year. These scams accounted for nearly 40% of all scams reported to BBB Scam Tracker in 2021, according to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report.

Shortages are likely to make purchase scams even more common as desperate shoppers turn to random websites hoping to find this year’s must-have gifts.

The BBB recommends the following tips to “Shop Safe, Shop Smart” this holiday season:

  • Research before you buy
    Use BBB.org and shopper reviews to do your homework before paying.

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Do one thing: Check three websites before you buy: CamelCamelCamel, Keepa and Google. (Fine, that’s more than one thing.)

It’s bigger than you: You might believe that you don’t fall for marketing gimmicks and holiday season shopping guilt. But we all do. It’s OK.

feel good about: Stores are unusually nervous this year about being stuck with unsold merchandise. Retailers’ anxiety can be your gain.

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Technology can be your friend or your enemy in the march through the holiday shopping minefield.

The internet is screaming BUY THIS NOW or LAST CHANCE. The zeal for a good deal or to make people happy can make you buy dumb stuff. You could spend infinite hours sleuthing online to shave every dollar from your gift-giving

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PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — It’s the end of the year and retailers are trying to clear out inventory – and that means there are some great sales to be had!

What should you consider buying, and what should you wait on? We went to the experts.

“It is as big as Black Friday in some ways, but very different,” said Summer Hull, director of content at The Points Guy.

If you are in the market for new clothes, you might be in luck. Hull says some seasonal clothing is discounted for as much as 80% off right now if you dare to dig through.

“When you get to the more diverse retailers with a bunch of different things – Nordstrom, J. Crew – there what you are seeing is a discount on sale. Maybe it’s not the newest black and white winter color, but it’s the fall colors that are almost

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With Christmas coming here in two days, and there are two more nights of Hanukah, there are still people finishing last minute shopping. But if you still haven’t found that last gift, don’t worry, because Miller Hill Mall, Fleet Farm, and other stores will be open for last minute shopping needs.

Constance Koschack-Nelson, a Fleet Farm pricing team member, explained some of the more popular last minute holiday gifts this year. “So far, I’ve seen a lot of people purchasing kitchen appliances, such as microwaves, air fryers, and pizza ovens and then, you know, a lot of power tools and toolboxes and whatever. And also ice houses and outdoor gear.” Koschack-Nelson said.

If you do plan on going for last minute shopping there are some tips we can provide. You should set a time limit so you don’t spend too much time away from your family during the holidays. You

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It’s no secret that online shopping has become many people’s preferred method of making purchases. Global online retail sales have grown from $4.2 trillion in 2020 to $5.7 trillion in 2022. With numbers like that, it’s hard to imagine anyone hasn’t tried shopping online at least once.

Digital shopping has made the experience almost instantaneous too. Unnecessary trips to the store and endless long lines during the holidays can be avoided with a few clicks.

Google is incontestably one of the most powerful search engines in the world. From finding a new job in your area to researching the latest iPhone specs to shopping online, it has all the answers you need. However, online shopping presents unique challenges. For example, look up women’s straight-leg jeans, and the choices

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Len Rome’s Daily Feature of Little Known Facts

(WYTV) — Thinking of marriage in 2023?

Men, you’ll want to present your lovely engagement ring, but how much should you spend?

Times are tough, but you can follow that old rule of thumb that you spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring.

Really? Who came up with that one?

The wedding advice website called The Knot reminds us how all the diamond engagement ring businesses started.

In the 1930s — yes, during the depression — the De Beers diamond company came up with this marketing gimmick: engagements must always come with a diamond ring, and paying a month’s salary for it was fine.

Over the years, with inflation, that eventually grew to three months. That can be a sizable chunk of money.

For most people, the amount they pay is going to be a balance between what they want, what

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(MASS APPEAL) – Lifestyle contributor Limor Suss shares unique holiday gifting ideas.

From personalized holiday cards, to shipping services and supplies, to deals on the latest technology, Staples has you covered this holiday season. They’ve got the hottest tech gifts for the holidays, like the 2nd generation Apple AirPods Pro and the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controllers. And even better – you can bring in your old tech, and as a Staples Rewards member, you’ll receive $5 back in rewards when you recycle in-store and put that towards your holiday shopping!

Staples also have shipping services so you can save time and ship where you shop! You’ll save 50% on supplies when you stock up on 5 or more shipping boxes, mailers, or tubes – and you can ensure gifts arrive on time and in style with 25% off UPS express shipping services. They also offer fast, next-day pickup on custom

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We spoke with Mason & Greens owner Jason Marino for tips on how to be more eco-friendly this holiday season.

WASHINGTON — Going green isn’t just for the Grinch. With the holidays upon us, we visited a zero-waste shop in DC for tips on how to be more friendly to the environment while you celebrate the season.

We spoke with Mason & Greens owner Jason Marino for some tips.

If you’re throwing an ugly sweater at a party, or exchanging a white elephant gift, there are several ways to prepare your house before your guests arrive.

Marino says it can be something small like refilling soap containers.

“This is a great thing to do. Everyone has a nice soap container at home, you can bring it to a store like ours or one of the others in the area and refill it,” Marino said.

Marino also suggests picking up toilet

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Personal finance and style experts that teamed up with American Express
AXP
have advice for consumers who are winding down their holiday shopping. Lilliana Vazquez and Humphrey Yang offer their best tips to help shoppers optimize their holiday spending.

Gifting made simple

“I recommend making a gift list (along with a budget) and sticking to it, so you don’t end up overspending,” said Emmy-winning host and style expert Lilliana Vazquez. She suggested that when buying presents online, look for gifts that can be bought for at least three people on your list so you can earn free shipping. “It also saves you the headache of coming up with many different presents during an already

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Pres Release

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has some helpful tips for consumers to avoid potential scams while gearing up for the holiday shopping season.

“It certainly can be the most wonderful time of the year,” Yost said, “but a scam or a bad shopping experience has a way of quickly dampening the holiday spirit, bringing out the Grinch in us. Don’t let it happen to you.”

The Attorney General’s Office recommends that consumers:

• Research sellers carefully. Search for complaints filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. Also look up online customer reviews about the seller.

• Beware of scams. Watch for phony coupons. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary if someone asks you to pay using gift cards or wire transfers; both are commonly requested by scam artists.

• Check return policies. In Ohio,

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