Survey: 2 in 3 holiday shoppers exceed budget

Bellevue, Wash. –- Two in three (66%) consumers purchasing holiday gifts exceeds their budget, typically by $116. According to a new survey of U.S. consumers from Coinstar, this figure rises to 78% of holiday shoppers with children.



Seventy-four percent of holiday shoppers will cut back on indulgences to help afford seasonal gifts. Popular areas to reduce spending among these shoppers include eating out (53%) and entertainment (52%).



However, consumers have access to other forms of extra money for holiday shopping. Eighty-five percent of survey respondents report that they have spare change lying around, while 58% are holding at least one gift card, with an average of four, in their possession.