New Yorkers Dive Into the Holiday Shopping Frenzy

Ah, the holiday season—if you’re not hustling through it, are you even a New Yorker? With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday keeping us on our toes, it’s no wonder everyone and their grandmother are swiping credit cards like there’s no tomorrow. The holiday shopping madness is expected to smash records, with the National Retail Federation predicting sales will skyrocket past $1 trillion nationwide.

The Numbers Game

Expect no less than a bustling shopping scene—187 million of us hitting stores between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. Black Friday alone will see 130 million shoppers, and for those of us keen on supporting our local gems, 67 million are tuned into Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday will also have its share with 74 million clicking away.

Stay Sharp: Scams & Traffic

But hey, amidst the chaos, a word of caution: the FBI and BBB warn about scams lurking around every corner. And don’t even get me started on the traffic nightmares in East El Paso—you can read all about that here.

In El Paso, Tom Fullerton, a savvy economics professor from UTEP, reminds us about the pitfalls of plastic. He’s all about those discounts but warns, “Buying now, paying much more later.” Holiday cheer could quickly evaporate when those credit card bills roll in, thanks to sky-high interest rates.

Shop Smart: In-Person Advantage

Fullerton also mentions that schlepping to the store might save dough. “No financial advantage to online shopping when shipping costs are up,” he hints. You get a leg up in terms of delivered costs by shopping in person.

As we wade through sales and discount signs, don’t forget—the heart of our city lies with small businesses. They keep our neighborhoods buzzing, so shop local when you can. For more tips on staying alert, check out these common scams to avoid.

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