INTERAC(R) survey finds Canadians implementing budget-friendly strategies this holiday season

Many Canadians plan to shop with INTERAC to help keep holiday finances on
    trackTORONTO, Dec. 4 /CNW/ - Getting into the holiday spirit means Canadians
are implementing budget-friendly strategies this year, such as paying with
INTERAC, researching purchases, and even re-gifting, finds a new survey by
INTERAC, Canada's national debit network and leading payment brand.
    A national survey commissioned by INTERAC, and conducted by The Strategic
Counsel(1), found that half of Canadians have already set or are planning to
set a holiday shopping budget this year. Of those who said they would keep to
a budget or decrease holiday spending (budgeters), 73 per cent indicate that
they will research prices before buying to stay on budget, while 60 per cent
have bought early to take advantage of sales throughout the year, and 56 per
cent plan to use INTERAC more often so that they only spend the money they
have.
    "With more Canadians watching their holiday spending habits this year,
many are relying on INTERAC payment services to help them stay on track," said
Caroline Hubberstey, Director, Public and Government Affairs, Interac
Association. "INTERAC keeps Canadians connected to their money, wherever they
are, whenever they need it, and helps them manage their spending, because they
can't spend more than they have."
    Other methods to manage spending included setting spending limits per
person or overall (71 per cent each), making purchases throughout the year in
order to avoid one large sum at one time (51 per cent), and cutting back on
other purchases to put towards holiday spending (36 per cent).'Tis the season for re-gifting
    -------------------------------Canadians are getting creative when it comes to cost-cutting this season.
According to the survey, 72 per cent of budgeters plan to re-use wrapping
paper, gift boxes and ribbons, 48 per cent will participate in gift exchanges
or give group gifts to keep costs down and 21 per cent plan to re-gift a
present they received from another person.
    The biggest re-gifters in the nation? Ontario budgeters were the most
likely to re-gift this season (25 per cent), while those in the
Quebec/Atlantic region were least likely to re-circulate unwanted gifts (15
per cent).More unique gift-giving
    ------------------------The desire to keep holiday spending in check is resulting in
one-of-a-kind gift-giving among many Canadians. Thirty-one per cent of
budgeters say they are planning to make their own gifts instead of buying them
and 43 per cent plan to make a small donation to charity instead of spending
money on gifts.
    Among budgeters across the nation, one-of-a-kind gift-giving was highest
in British Columbia, with 39 percent planning to make their own gifts and 51
per cent planning to make a small charitable donation. Those in the
Quebec/Atlantic region, were least likely to plan to make their own gifts.He said, she said
    ------------------Women tend to set budgets more than men. According to the survey, 59 per
cent of women have set or plan to set a holiday shopping budget, compared to
only 41 per cent of men.
    "INTERAC is Canada's preferred method of payment," said Hubberstey. "At
the store or online, Canadians choose INTERAC because it allows them to pay
for their purchases simply, securely and with complete piece of mind."About Interac Association
    --------------------------A recognized world leader in debit card services, Interac Association is
responsible for the development and operations of the INTERAC network, a
national payment network that allows Canadians to access their money through
Automated Banking Machines and point-of-sale terminals across Canada.
    Interac Association was founded in 1984 and is comprised of a diverse
membership that includes banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses
populaires, merchants, and technology and payment related companies.
    Other INTERAC-branded and related services include: INTERAC Online, for
secure online payments directly from a bank account, INTERAC Email Money
Transfer, for the transfer of money from a bank account to anyone with an
email address, and Cross Border Debit, for point-of-sale access at more than
1.5 million U.S. retailers.(1) The omnibus survey was conducted by The Strategic Counsel from
        October 17th to October 24th, 2008, among a representative sample of
        1,001 adult Canadians, 18 years or older. The margin of error for a
        sample of 1001 is 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

For further information: For more information, regional highlights and
to book an interview with an Interac Association spokesperson, please contact:
David Weinstein at Strategic Objectives at [phone] or
[e-mail]; Tina Romano at Interac Association at (416)
869-5062 or [e-mail]