As we approach the Christmas holiday season again, we all know that it's going to cost us a bunch of money. After all, let's face facts: the season has all but become a complete commercialization for entrepreneurs looking to soak every last coin out your pocket that they can. However, with our economy in a slump such as it is, it would be quite prudent to have the option of putting items on layaway. Unfortunately, many retail outlets such as WalMart, Target, and ShopKo no longer offer this option. The only one that I know of that still does is Kmart, and good for them! I've just read a news story that Kmart layaway business is thriving.

Now the downside.

With the Kmart corporation not being as prevalent as it once was, there are fewer stores to choose from. Not EVERY store offers layaway, most likely due to space and size of the store, and if you want to find one that does offer the service, you'd better plan on doing some searching for the nearest location.

Example: My television is going to hell very quickly. I cannot afford to plunk down $1,000 or more on-the-spot for a new TV (this is a random number), so it would be much easier if I could buy it from a place that offers layaway. As it turns out, I'm S.O.L. in this town. My only other option is to pray that I can keep fighting with it and keep it working long enough until tax return time (which I doubt is gonna happen).

I don't really know if this is just a rant and ramble, or if it's a legitimate topic to discuss. Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

I know several people who always used the layaway services. Back home that is. Out of touch for many years now. But layaway was a major factor in Christmas shopping back home for as long as I can remember. I know my mom used it sometimes and my sister most of the time.

I'm thinking the lack of layaway will cut even farther into the holiday income of stores that will already take a serious hit this year and it isn't the best idea.

I think some of the stores do it now days to force you into applying for their store cards. Which just forces more people to gamble on money futures. I still think a credit based economy is not wise. But you can't tell that to stores with store cards.

Agreed. Many stores would rather you apply for their in-store credit card -- at an interest rate of 20%. No thanks.

I still love Christmas no matter what

But many of them give you 6-8 months no interest

Maybe, but I'm one of the rare people who has never owned a credit card, and still don't -- by CHOICE! I prefer to pay for things with cash or check. I never particularily liked the idea of paying some company even more money than what I'm purchasing just for the convenience of owning their little piece of plastic.

But that's just me.

Then no problem.I still get my Christmas present right??

After I get my new TV.

Too bad that you were not closer. I have three TVs here, that are just sitting here.

I appreciate the gesture, but I figure with the forced government imposition that all networks broadcast in digital signal come February, I might just as well buy a really nice HDMI, as I'm just gonna need it anyway. If I'm spending the money already, I might just as well go full bore.

Yea, sounds like a good idea. I do not watch enough TV to even bother. I do not even have cable. I much prefure just to sit back and watch a movie if I really want to watch something.

happiness is just 12 easy payments away...

I wish!

With the closest Kmart that offers layaway being over 50 miles away, it's not very feasible for me. With all the money I'd be spending in gasoline to go back and forth to make payments, I'd be defeating myself.

We used to have two Kmart stores in this town. Both stopped business and were razed for other projects to be built on their sites. Thanks a lot, progress.

Thank God for Amazon.

WalMart has lay away.

Nope. They discontinued it in 2006. Said it was "too costly".

Oh well, I thought it might be a different kind of topic to talk about. Carry on.

There was a time I used layaway every year when the kids were little. Heck I could great deals on stuff in October have it in layaway never have to worry about hiding the loot and them finding it. Today I don't think I would use layaway since, you dont' know if the store is still going to be there when you are ready to get your stuff. For example look at what happened with Circuit City today, they are bankrupt.

Now as to your T.V. set what I would do and I do , do for myself when I want a big ticket item I have a jar I put X amount of money into each paycheck till I get the amount I have specified I need then I go buy it kind of like a layaway plan with out the goods actually on layaway and with the way stuff is dropping in price you might be getting it alot sooner than TAX time.
Or you could ask Obama to spread a bit of wealth your way early.

sorry couldn't help it.
rains slinking back to her corner now

I don't trust myself with a credit card. Too easy to nickle and dime myself into a financial mess. My debit card works as a credit card if I need it for purchases at Amazon or elsewhere online. Although, I try not to do that for large purchases because if there is a screw up on the purchase it comes out of my checking account.