The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Jackson cautions consumers to avoid impulse purchases this holiday season. [Verbatim from press release.]

For consumers looking for a computer, a television, or even a car, the deals offered by retailers indicate that this might be the right time to buy. Many popular electronics and other gift items are being offered at significant discounts to encourage consumers to spend and help retailers boost year end sales. Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Jackson cautions consumers to take advantage of sales to make planned purchases, but leave other sale items on the shelf.

"The thought of getting a 'deal' can sometimes cloud our judgment," said Sherry Rainey, president of CCCS. "Consumers need to be careful not to overextend themselves making unplanned purchases that they will pay for well into the New Year and beyond."

CCCS offers tips to help shoppers:

* Make a list and stick to it
Having a list of the people you need to buy for and a budget for each person is a great way to make sure you don't overspend. Jot down ideas for each person and use that to help guide you while you shop.

* Plan your shopping before you leave the house
Use the newspaper circulars and the internet to plan your shopping trip. If you know exactly where you are going and what you plan to buy while you are there, you are less likely to deviate from your plan.

* Avoid window shopping
Try not to head to a store without even an idea of what you are planning to buy. You will almost always end up spending more than you planned. If you go to a store for a particular item, get it and leave instead of strolling through all of the aisles.

* Leave credit cards at home
You can't make an impulse buy if you don't have the money with you to do it. Leaving your credit cards at home will require you to take some time to think about it before making a purchase.

* If you do buy, make sure you are really getting a deal
While there are many opportunities to save money this holiday season, something is not a deal just because the retailers says it is. Do your homework. Research the items you are considering, compare prices at several retailers, and be sure it is a deal before making the purchase.

* Compare the price your retailer is offering by using sites such as http://www.pricegrabber.com, http://www.bizrate.com, or http://www.mysimon.com.
For information on available rebates on consumer electronics, computer software and hardware, and other items, visit http://www.rebateplace.com . And before you buy anything, look for coupons to save on in-store and online purchases. Sites such as http://www.couponcabin.com or http://www.dealcatcher.com can help you find deals for dollars off, a percentage off, or free shipping that can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings.

About Consumer Credit Counseling Service: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Jackson (CCCS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community-service agency that provides confidential budget counseling, money management education, debt management programs, bankruptcy counseling and education, and comprehensive housing counseling. CCCS is part of the CredAbility Network, a family of agencies serving consumers in north Georgia, south Florida , middle Mississippi and east Tennessee as well as nationally via telephone and Internet.

Headquartered in Jackson, CCCS is a United Way partner and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, and is a member of National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).

Consumers can speak to counselors in English and Spanish 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by phone at 601-969-6431 or
1-800-251-2227, and also access the agency's web sites, http://www.cccsinc.org and http://www.cccsenespanol.org where live-chat counselors are available around the clock.