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The holidays should be about making memories, not stressing about money or worrying about scams. With a little planning, you can make holiday shopping easier, protect your finances, and even earn rewards along the way.
Choose Gift Cards with Care
Gift cards are a popular choice because they give recipients the freedom to choose exactly what they’d like, but when purchasing gift cards, where you buy them matters.
Gift cards displayed on grocery and drugstore racks can also be tampered with, allowing criminals to drain the card balance before the recipient can use it. Avoid cards with damaged packaging or exposed PINs and buy from a trusted source.
For added peace of mind, consider purchasing gift cards at a North Shore Bank branch. It's a convenient option that helps you avoid additional fees while giving a gift that's easy to use and appreciate.
Give Generously and Safely
Giving back can be one of the most meaningful parts of the holiday season. To help ensure your donation reaches its intended destination, stick with trusted organizations, donate through official channels, and be cautious of unexpected requests for contributions. A few simple steps can help you support the causes closest to your heart with confidence.
For additional guidance, explore the FTC’s tips for giving to charity or use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to verify a nonprofit organization.
Consider supporting local collections to support families facing financial challenges this season. Find toys and gift drives in your neighborhood and make drop-offs to organizations and collection sites that you are familiar with to ensure your donations reach local families. North Shore Bank conducts multiple collections this time of year throughout the state. We invite you to find donation drive details on our Community Calendar.
Additionally, shopping on Small Business Saturday, which takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving, backs local businesses in our community and is a great way to find special gifts while supporting our local economy.
Make Holiday Money Management Easier
These simple tools can help you save time, reduce stress, stay on top of your finances, and spend more time making holiday memories:
- Account Alerts: Set up automated Account Alerts to monitor balances and account activity.
- Holiday Budget Coach: Create a spending plan with our free Holiday Budget Coach and take control of your expenses for gifts, travel, decorations, and more.
- Travel Notifications: Traveling for the holidays? Set a travel plan notification in Digital Banking through My Card Manager before you go so your debit or credit card activity while away is recognized and less likely to raise concerns.
- Zelle®: Use Zelle® to send money to trusted friends and family for shared holiday expenses.
You can also stretch your budget using North Shore Bank Debit Rewards to earn points on every eligible debit card purchase you make throughout the season, including gift cards. It's a simple way to reward yourself while checking items off your gift list.
Enjoy a Simpler Holiday Season
The holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful. By giving with confidence, choosing gift cards from a trusted source, staying alert to seasonal scams, and using helpful money-management tools, you can spend less time worrying about your finances and more time and more time focused on banking your best life.
