Holiday shopping has probably never seemed more difficult for both consumers and retailers. In the face of a challenging economic outlook, consumers are trying to stretch their dollar and bank on savings while retailers are desperate to ring in some sales. We put together this special holiday issue of ConsumerWise to help you get more bang for your buck without having to skimp on gifts for family and friends. It all starts with a budget. Planning your purchases is essential to saving time and money. The pros and cons of gifts cards are detailed in this edition, and you can find practical information on how to choose the best card for your loved ones. Learn how to avoid potential problems by reading up on our list of shopping dos and don'ts, and don't forget...safety comes first! All this and more is covered in these pages. We hope it helps you enjoy this holiday season without having to break the bank. If you have story suggestions for ConsumerWise, please feel free to email our Public Relations & Outreach Specialist Sonya Perez at soperez@miamidade.gov. It is our goal to give you news you can use. For more information, visit our website at www.miamidade.gov/csd or give us a call at 305-375-3677. We look forward to hearing from you!