How about we go back to the good old-fashioned idea of LAYAWAY! It worked well when I was a kid, and I see more and more stores are offering it. I know there have always been people who have used this very clever way of getting what they want. Now it's time for those of us who have over exceeded our Credit Cards to figure that we should pay for things before they are ours, rather than after they are in our possession.
I recently had to file bankruptcy, and it has opened my eyes to how I got to that point. I'll never get into a situation like that again. I've learned to do without, because so many things aren't really very important anyhow. If I really want or need something, I'm much more prone to pay for it in advance through layaway if I can't pay for it on the spot. This country is in big trouble and I, for one, hope to do things the right way, which is the way we became and stayed strong. It works for individuals and it works for the country. It's a win, win situation. Try it sometime and I think you'll appreciate it as much as I do. Let's teach our children well.
By Sharon from Silver Spring, MD
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Well where I live more and more stores are discontinuting the layaway programs. I used it a lot at WalMart, but now Kmart is the only discount store that has layaway, and from what people tell me they have added a lot or restrictions that make it hard for a lot of people to use it. Plus merchandise at Kmart is higher priced, and they are a lot farther away from me than WalMart. I don't know if any of the higher end stores have layaway or not. Now I just start doing my Christmas shopping right after the holidays.
I've always felt that layaway was a good idea, but most of the stores only allow 30 days to pay for something. That usually didn't work for me.
I haven't tried Lay-away in several years due to the restrictions. I remember when 90 days was standard, but that's no more. Sad!
It's too late for this year, but I use the Christmas Club plan through the bank where I have my checking account. You choose the amount they deduct from your account every month (from $20 where I live) and then in November you get a bank check for the amount plus (very little) interest.
I thought it was making a comeback; I'd seen several ads on TV. I'm gonna start contacting stores on-line and see if I can stir up something.
Everyone is talking about how to afford the holidays. Kmart has been running commercials about layaway. They have an eight week program with payments every two. The fee is $5 and the down payment is 10% of the total merchandise. This is a great way to save for Christmas if you can not do it alone.
Search Layaway and it will get you to the page with PDF information.
I agree about layaways! They are good but not many stores around me offer it anymore. K-Mart does but for only 8 weeks and when you get paid every 2 weeks that does not help much. Wal-Mart has one for Christmas but not on every thing. I hate this because I need some things but I can't layaway these items. I really could use layaways now. Wonder how we could get stores to do it for at least 12 weeks.
How about just saving before buying anything you want or need? Putting it on lay away just condones shopping when you don't have the money to pay for the stuff. In my mind, if you don't have the money, you don't go to the store.
Layaway is so tempting! But if you want financial independence, you have to resist. So if I can't pay for something completely, I skip it. It's much easier than trying to play catch-up later on.
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