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OK, you’re holiday shopping and actually having some luck. You’ve hit a big box retailer, your favorite clothing store, and the fancy kitchen place and nailed holiday gifts for half your list.

And every time you check out, the clerk offers you a big time discount, like 30% or 40% — but only if you open a store-branded credit card. When you’re spending a hundred dollars or more, that’s a serious savings. So what’s the catch?

First things first: If you won’t be paying off the entire credit card bill when the statement comes, take a pass. Your finance charges are likely to cancel out the discount, and store credit cards generally carry higher interest rates than other credit cards.

Second: If having that card is going to tempt you to overspend, skip it. You can’t “save” money on purchases you weren’t planning to make in the first place.

Third: Applying for new cards can affect your credit score, and your score impacts your ability to borrow money at lower interest rates. While one new card typically lowers a score by only 5 points or so (not a ton on a scale that goes up to 850,) it can be more damaging if you have a shorter credit history or few credit accounts. Applying for too many cards too quickly can also hurt your score.

On the other hand, the discount on a large purchase may be worth that modest ding, especially if you regularly shop at that store and can take advantage of the rewards or perks.

So what? Taking advantage of a credit card promotion might make financial sense, but only if you can pay off your balance in full and on time. And if you haven’t borrowed much money or have a shorter credit history — maybe you’re young, rent your home, or have always used debit cards — it may make more sense to use a card you already have.

Related Reading

How New Credit Impacts Your Credit Score (myFICO)

Should You Open a Store Credit Card for the One-Time Discount? (NerdWallet)

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have? (Investopedia)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20251124SW

While the Thanksgiving holiday typically signals a quiet, low-volume period for markets, the fallout from this year’s government shutdown means we could see more volatility ahead of our turkeys and tofurkeys.

After finally receiving the government’s delayed – and mixed – September employment report last week, investors will be looking for reads on inflation and the health of the consumer and businesses.

A new economic data schedule for this shortened trading week is stuffed with important releases that would have been more spread out if the government hadn’t shut. Confirmed on the calendar is the delayed Producer Price Index (PPI), which will give us a crucial check on wholesale inflation. We’ll also get reports on retail sales and durable goods orders.

It’s this data dump that could exacerbate market volatility. Investors have to digest a significant amount of backward-looking but vital information while market liquidity will be drying up fast. The stock market will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, and have a shortened session on Friday.

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Monday

•  October Chicago Fed National Activity Index: This is a monthly index put together that incorporates 85 indicators from four categories: production and income; employment, unemployment, and hours; personal consumption and housing; and sales, orders, and inventories.

•  November Dallas Fed Manufacturing Activity: This is the Dallas Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  Earnings: Agilent Technologies (A), Keysight Technologies (KEYS)

Tuesday

•  November Philadelphia Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity: The Philadelphia Fed’s survey of services executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  September Retail Sales: This measures spending at retail stores and is a key indicator of consumer demand.

•  September Producer Price Index: The PPI tracks price trends that producers face and is down significantly from its peak earlier in the cycle.

•  September FHFA House Price Index: This is a broad measure of single-family house prices released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

•  November Richmond Fed Manufacturing Activity: The Richmond Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  November Richmond Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity: The Richmond Fed’s survey of services executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  November Conference Board Consumer Confidence: How consumers feel about economic conditions affect their spending habits. This survey places a particular focus on job availability and the state of the labor market.

•  November Dallas Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity: This is the Dallas Fed’s survey of services executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  Earnings: Analog Devices (ADI), Autodesk (ADSK), Best Buy Co (BBY), Dell Technologies (DELL), HP (HPQ), NetApp (NTAP), JM Smucker (SJM), Workday (WDAY)

Wednesday

•  September Factory and Durable Goods Orders: These metrics give insight into underlying trends for leading cyclical indicators.

•  November Chicago Business Barometer: The barometer provides information on U.S. economic activity and business conditions, consisting of seven activity indicators and three buying policy indicators.

•  Fed Beige Book: This report is released eight times per year and tracks the state of the economy based on qualitative information.

•  Weekly Mortgage Applications: Mortgage activity gives insight on demand conditions in the housing market.

•  Earnings: Deere & Company (DE)

Thursday

•  Markets will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Friday

•  Markets will close at 1pm ET.

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Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.