Upromise by Sallie Mae Nationwide Survey Shows Staying on Budget, Meaningful Gifts and Minimizing St

Upromise by Sallie Mae Nationwide Survey Shows Staying on Budget, Meaningful Gifts and Minimizing Stress Top the Holiday Wish List

Shop Through Upromise for Cyber Monday Savings and Cash Back for College

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As families get in the spirit of the season, a new survey commissioned by Upromise by Sallie Mae found that crossing items off the wish list, giving meaningful gifts, being aware of budget busters, and finding ways to reduce stress are top priorities among parents.

"Families want less stress and more meaning during the holidays," says John Ward, senior vice president at Sallie Mae. "Upromise can deliver both, with more money back for college and the ease of shopping online."

The survey of 2,231 adults, conducted by Harris Interactive, also revealed that many find holidays stressful. Forty percent of those surveyed say shopping online is their favorite way to stay relaxed during the busy holiday season. In addition, 25 percent cite Black Friday and Cyber Monday as the days to get the best deals. Shopping from the comfort of home through Upromise.com, gift-givers can earn 5 percent or more cash back for college on eligible online purchases above and beyond sale prices and online coupons. Savings can increase to 10 percent or more cash back on eligible online purchases when shopping through Upromise.com and paying with the Upromise MasterCard.

Staying on budget around the holidays is a major concern for parents - especially moms - with 55 percent of women surveyed saying they create a budget each year for the holidays, but only 35 percent say they stay within budget. With families expected to spend an average of $750 on holiday gifts this year, Upromise helps make that budget go further with online coupons, free shipping offers and money back for education—on top of some of the best deals offered by trusted brands.

Tech or toys? Many parents prefer thinking about their children's futures when considering a gift. Nearly one third of parents would like their child to receive an educational gift such as a book, science kit or money towards college savings. Parents, grandparents, relatives and friends can give two gifts with one purchase by shopping through Upromise.com and using the cash back from that purchase to boost their college savings for the beneficiary of their choice.

Upromise is free to join and members can earn cash for college by shopping online at hundreds of major retailers, dining out, buying gas, shopping with the Upromise credit card and purchasing other services. For more information on Upromise by Sallie Mae, please visit www.upromise.com.

Sallie Mae (NAS: SLM) is the nation's No. 1 financial services company specializing in education. Whether college is a long way off or just around the corner, Sallie Mae turns education dreams into reality for its 25 million customers. With products and services that include 529 college savings plans, Upromise rewards, scholarship search tools, education loans, insurance, and online banking, Sallie Mae offers solutions that help families save, plan, and pay for college. Sallie Mae also provides financial services to hundreds of college campuses as well as to federal and state governments. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

For Sallie Mae
Debby Hohler, 617-454-6741
Dhohler@upromise.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Delaware

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The article Upromise by Sallie Mae Nationwide Survey Shows Staying on Budget, Meaningful Gifts and Minimizing Stress Top the Holiday Wish List originally appeared on Fool.com.

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