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QC12032015

FOR BREAKING NE WS VISIT www.qns.com december 3, 2015 • HEALTH • The queens CourieR 15 ▶health EASE HOLIDAY SHOPPING STRESS By Tresa Erickson Whether you start on Black Friday or wait until Christmas Eve, holiday shopping can be maddening. There is a lot to buy, a lot of places to go and a lot of items to choose from. Here are some tips to keep the stress down this year as you shop for holiday gifts. Set a budget. How much can you afford to spend on holiday gifts? This will dictate the types of gifts you can buy. If you have a very small budget, you may have to make more gifts than you buy or steer your efforts toward smaller, less expensive gifts. Determine what you can comfortably afford to spend and stick to it! Make a list. Jot down the names you need to buy for and what you would like to get them. Remember, itÕs the thought that counts. You do not need to go all out for every person on your list. One gift per person or family outside of your immediate family should suffice. Shop early. Start looking for deals long before the holiday shopping season begins. Shop throughout the year, especially if you have a lot of people to buy for. You might be surprised how many good gifts you can get during a Christmas in July sale. If you are not a year-round shopper, go in late October or early November or December, when supplies are more plentiful, crowds are fewer and checkout lines are shorter. Compare deals. Shop around for the best deals, and donÕt choose on price alone. Price and quality do not always go hand in hand. A $50 digital camera that breaks down the first day is not a deal. Research the quality of the bargains you uncover and use all of the tools at your disposal to ensure you get a good dealÑcirculars, websites, smart phone apps, etc. Choose a good time. When you are ready to hit the shops, do so early in the morning, if at all possible. Merchandise will be in order and salespeople will be more apt to help you. Lines will also be significantly shorter. Shop online. If you are too busy during the day to do any real shopping, shop online at night. You wonÕt have to deal with pushy people or stand in long lines. You might also uncover some hard-to-find items. Whatever you purchase online, make sure you account for the shipping fees in your budget. Prepare for returns. Know each storeÕs return policies and ask for gift receipts. That way, should you or the recipient need to return the gift, there will be fewer hassles. Wrap as you go. There is nothing more stressful than having a pile of gifts to wrap. Wrap your purchases as you go, or consider having them gift wrapped. Many retailers offer gift wrapping for a small fee. Take advantage of the service if your budget allows. You will save time and get beautifully wrapped gifts in return. Holiday shopping can be a real hassle. You are one of thousands of people trying to get their shopping done. Never lose sight of that fact and always be prepared. The more prepared you are for the daunting task before you, the better experience you are likely to have. OPTION 1 A MEDICARE PLAN THAT PUTS NEW YORKERS FIRST The Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan (HMO) A FOUR-STAR Medicare Advantage Plan in NYC TWO YEARS IN A ROW! this Medicare Advantage plan, you could pay as little as $0 With for better benefits than Medicare— if you currently receive Extra Help. Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated ACT NOW! Enroll or meet with us to learn about your options. Call 1-855-725-3341 (TTY 1-888-542-3821) 7 days a week, 8am–8pm www.YourHFIBP.org Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Please visit www.medicare.gov for more information on CMS’ Star Ratings. Managed Health, Inc., dba Healthfirst Medicare Plan, offers HMO plans that contract with the Federal Government. Enrollment in Healthfirst Medicare Plan depends on contract renewal. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description, of benefits. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits may change on January 1 of each year. Premiums, copays, coinsurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. © 2015 HF Management Services, LLC. NYMED001017 H3359_MKT16_33 Accepted 09202015


QC12032015
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