I can remember when I was first out on my own and using my own money to buy Christmas gifts, it seemed like every department store had a Layaway plan. If you aren’t familiar with it, layaway means the store holds your item for you with you leaving a deposit and then making payments on the remaining balance, usually every two weeks, until the item is paid for at which time you can take it home. I used layaway at a downtown East Lansing clothing store to buy a beautiful wool jacket when I was in college, and for a Valentine’s Day surprise, Chris (my now husband who was my boyfriend at the time) made the final payment and surprised me with the coat. It was so sweet!
But, I digress. The point is that the only national department store that still offers layaway is Kmart. Kmart Lay-Away is a terrific option for purchasing higher priced items without having to shell out the whole purchase price all at once. The Layaway Program info page has a box where you enter your zip code to find the stores near you that offer layaway; both of the Kmart stores near my house have it. Which got me thinking, what could I put on layaway now that I won’t need for another month but costs more money than I currently have available to spend?
The answer came to me pretty quickly- a new artificial Christmas tree! The one we have is about five years old and wasn’t great quality when we bought it in the first place. I browsed the Kmart site and found this beautiful GE 7 foot Spruce Tree with 600 Multicolor Lights- perfect! I’ll have to go to the store to see whether they are offering the same sale price as the website, which means it will either be $259.99 or $207.99. I can put down $50 or $60 now and pay the balance in two installments and have a beautiful new tree in time for Christmas decorating! And look how pretty it is:
The Kmart Layaway plan is a great way for budget-conscious shoppers to purchase the items they want without having to use credit cards or loans to pay for them. Check the site to see if there is a Kmart store near you that offers layaway!
I’ve heard of this system in the US, but it doesn’t exist here.
Great advice. That’s a great way to balance your money spending during the holiday seasons. And it looks like you are getting a good jump on holiday shopping. Good for you! Just don’t start listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving!
Hey the advice given is very nice. Its too great. We can save a lot of funds in theis way and also can have a great time shopping for the holiday season. And it looks like you are getting a good jump on holiday shopping.
I’ve always thought that Sears does layaway. Wouldn’t that qualify as a national department store?
Yes, I just found out about this. It’s going to make my christmas so much better and I’m probably not the only one.
It’s so great that I don’t have to pay up front in one big sum. My kids are going to love christmas this year.
I like your advise very much.And it looks like you are getting a good jump on holiday shopping. Good for you! Just don’t start listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving
Hey Elizabeth yeah I think this was a smart idea for K-Mart to do in this economy. It sounds like lawaway is finally making a comeback. Some people are saying they are going back to replacing store credit cards.
I think it’s a great idea if that’s what it takes to control spending.
Thanks for the tip, The Kmart layaway plan is such a big help for shoppers without using credit cards or loans to get them. It’s good not only for Christmas but for the whole season around. Thanks Kmart!!!