8 Hidden Holiday Costs to Watch Out For
Do you feel like there's a hole in the bottom of your wallet? Here's where your money's going—and how you can hold on to it.
By Corrie Pikul and Nathalie Gorman
Original Content | November 18, 2011 
Photo: Thinkstock
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If you're invited to one party a week this season, you'll need at least four bottles of wine to bring for your hosts, and that's not including the extras you'll want for yourself (to serve at your own get-together and to sip while buying gifts online). Last year, Americans spent over a billion dollars more on wine in December than they did in November, according to retail trade reports from the government. This means that wine shops and liquor stores will probably be offering better deals on wine before Thanksgiving, says Jeanette Pavini, a consumer reporter and a household savings expert for Coupons.com. November also happens to be the end of the harvest season, she says, so stores will be eager to move older merchandise to make room for the new. Pavini suggests picking up a case or two (you'll save 10 to 20 percent more than if you buy individual bottles) in mid-November to last you—and your guests—through January. Those oenophiles looking for year-round sales might consider signing up for one of the new wine flash-sale sites, like Gilt Taste, Lot 18 or Invino, which recently offered a Bongiovanni Barolo Pernanno for $60—40 percent off the regular price. |
