Forbes - New (and old) ways to shop and give

Your Weekly Advisor Update

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

A Note From Natalie:

We’re about halfway through December and, if you’re like me, you’re still chipping away at your holiday shopping list. This is about the time when shopping fatigue sets in and you’ve begun heavy negotiations with your budget. 

In the spirit of helping my fellow shoppers, this newsletter is dedicated to new and entertaining ways to hunt for that unique item, foolproof gift ideas (did you know you can gift airline miles?) and seasonal gigs to make some extra cash.

And if you have any unique ways of showing your love and gratitude during the holidays (I once met a woman who opted to spend quality time with her grandkids picking out stocks instead of “buying more junk”), reply directly to this email and share them with me. I’d love to squirrel away some inspiration for next year.

May your holidays be filled with peace, joy and a belly full of homemade cookies. 

Very best,

Natalie

Natalie Campisi

Senior Staff Writer

Consumer Finance

What Is Livestream Shopping And Should You Do It?

For those who are looking for a fun and festive way to get through the holiday shopping season without taking on a mid-December mall parking lot, live shopping might be just the thing for you.

Popularized in China, live shopping has gotten a boost stateside thanks to platforms like Amazon hosting daily livestreams where celebrities and influencers present their favorite new styles. Like the torchbearers of live shopping, QVC and HSN, there’s typically a time limit and sometimes a limited run of a certain product. Even buy now pay later sites, like Klarna, are jumping into livestream shopping events.

But, buyers, beware. Although this can be a fun way to find a cute new dress or handsome hat from the comfort of your sofa, the ticking time bomb feature of live shopping can be dangerous for people on a budget who might be tempted to shop out of FOMO. That said, if you’re ready to see what it’s all about, check out our primer on live shopping and where you can find some events.

Debt Consolidation Loans For
Bad Credit

If you have bad credit and high-interest debts you want to pay off, it’s worth considering your options. Bad credit consolidation loans might work well for certain debts, especially those with sky high interest rates like payday loans or title loans.

Debt Consolidation Loans

Here’s what else you should know
this week

In Defense Of The Gift Card: Why It Still Deserves A Spot On Your Holiday Shopping List

Gift cards get a bad rap for being lazy and impersonal. But, one writer makes a good case for giving gift cards. For instance, if someone on your shopping list loves crafting but you don’t know the difference between a Crop-A-Dile and a brayer, a gift card to their local crafting supplies store is both thoughtful and may save them the trouble of returning stuff.

Survey: Over 50% Of Rewards Credit Cardholders Would Consider Giving Credit Card Points Or Rewards As A Gift

According to a recent survey, most credit cardholders are open to gifting their points and perks to loved ones and many would be thrilled to get such a gift. If you’re interested in passing on your rewards this holiday season, here’s what you need to know.

7 Holiday Gigs To Help You Earn Extra Cash

Seasonal gigs can be a great way to bring in some extra income during a busy and expensive holiday season. This list is a great starting point for job hunting. And keep in mind that many businesses will still need staff into the new year.

Debt Consolidation Loan Vs. Balance Transfer Credit Card

A balance transfer card can be a powerful tool in your debt-busting arsenal. A 0% APR offer on a credit card can save money by having all of your payments during the intro period go towards knocking out the principal balance instead of some being siphoned away to pay interest charges.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

2022's Best Debt Consolidation Loans For Bad Credit

A debt consolidation loan can be a smart way to streamline your monthly debt obligations and get out of debt faster. However, this debt reduction strategy isn’t right for everyone. And if you have bad credit, qualifying for a debt consolidation loan with an attractive interest rate could be a challenge.

Minimum credit score

560

APR range

7.96% to 36%

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $50,000

Sponsored Content

Here's The No. 1 Reason Americans Crave Travel Rewards Credit Cards

People who love their travel rewards credit cards are most eager to use them to offset vacation costs, a new Forbes Advisor survey shows. Using rewards to grab a flight to a sunny escape or to stay at an all-inclusive ski retreat is even more appealing than other card benefits—like access to a speedy airport security screening line or a private place to relax away from other travelers.

Aura vs. LifeLock: 2022 Comparison

Aura is an identity theft protection service rated No. 1 by Security.org for best identity monitoring features¹. The all-in-one platform monitors each user’s identity, accounts and passwords. It then sends an alert if it identifies any issues. Aura’s password manager also makes it easy to keep track of login credentials and users receive an alert if a password is compromised.

Ranked #1 by Security.Org and IdentityProtectionReview.com. They may be compensated as a marketing affiliate of Aura, but their ratings are all

their own.

Contact US:

Forbes Marketplace
251 Little Falls Drive
Wilmington, DE 19808