Quiz: What’s Your Holiday Shopping Personality?

Some of us are planners and some of us are ... not. Which camp do you fall in?

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Edited by other Updated Dec 8, 2025 The countdown to Christmas is on. Are you ready? Maybe this season is your Super Bowl. Or maybe you're more of a "I'll get deals if I see 'em" person. We used AI to create a quiz based on articles written by our Nerdy experts. Take it to find out your holiday shopping personality.

So, what’s your score?

About a third of holiday shoppers (31%) in a recent NerdWallet survey say they plan their holiday purchases in advance so they can monitor them continuously for sales before purchasing. We know some people like that. Our Nerds took the holiday shopping quiz, and the results were a mix.

The Vibes Only Buyer

You tend to impulse buy and rely heavily on the hype of the sale. You often go into the shopping period without a plan... You tend to impulse buy and rely heavily on the hype of the sale. You often go into the shopping period without a plan... Honestly, this was me. Don't @ me! I haven't been on NerdWallet's shopping squad that long. I know I should do my homework, but I have to work, parent, exercise and attempt to get my daily protein allotment. Fitting "create a holiday budget" into my schedule would be the smart move, but when? Guys, who has time? Please tell me someone out there can relate. NerdWallet writer Kate Ashford is with me. "I, too, am a Vibes Only gal," she says. "Honestly, I usually feel like I'm just barely hanging on during the holiday rush, so I'm not putting much time into planning and bargain hunting. If I find a coupon code I can use, I'm ecstatic. Clearly I could save some money by being more strategic about it." For people like us, read up on how to build a holiday budget that works every year.

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The Prepared Planner

You approach sales methodically by making a list of your needs and wants. You understand the importance of budgeting and have general knowledge of which items (like toys or TVs) tend to be discounted… You approach sales methodically by making a list of your needs and wants. You understand the importance of budgeting and have general knowledge of which items (like toys or TVs) tend to be discounted… NerdWallet writer Tommy Tindall said he thought he'd get a vibes score, too, but no. He's been writing about price tracking for too long to get that score. “I’m a ‘Prepared Planner’ who has a really hard time pulling the trigger on a deal,” he says. “What I’ve realized is I like the hunt more than having the thing. I research incessantly, get a sense for the going rate, and only buy when the price goes low enough. Then, I get mad at myself and send it back.” Tommy uses browser extensions to take the guesswork out of deal hunting. NerdWallet writer Amanda Barroso is squarely in the planner camp. In fact, one more point and she would've hit Strategist territory. "I'm the shopper who has a note on my phone where I'm constantly jotting down gift ideas for my kids, my husband — and even things I'd like for myself," she says. "I typically add items to my cart and see what prices are. With things in one place, I can watch prices for a few weeks and buy when it feels like a good savings to me." She says her method gives her time to be thoughtful about spending on things people really want and will use. She also saves money by shopping for gifts secondhand.

The Savvy Strategist & Deal Optimist

You leverage every tool and strategy recommended by personal finance experts (like the Nerds!) to secure the maximum discount. You prioritize doing extensive homework by tracking prices ahead of time to confirm you are securing an actual discount versus an inflated sale price... You leverage every tool and strategy recommended by personal finance experts (like the Nerds!) (like the Nerds!) to secure the maximum discount. You prioritize doing extensive homework by tracking prices ahead of time to confirm you are securing an actual discount versus an inflated sale price... Not surprisingly, Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet spokesperson and personal finance expert, got this score. "Saving money makes me feel an extra boost of holiday joy, so I always make my list well before Thanksgiving so I can start monitoring sales," she says. "Then, I make my purchases when the prices drop." Some of us can only aspire to get on Kim's level. For more tips from Kim, read about how she makes holiday sales work for her. Explore more on About the author Fuente Pamela de la Fuente is a managing editor of NerdWallet's personal finance content. She leads budgeting, money-making, consumer credit and and debt coverage. Ask her and her talented team about why credit scores matter, how to save money on your grocery bill, finding the right side hustle, how to protect your identity for free and more. Previously, she led taxes and retirement coverage at NerdWallet. Pamela joined NerdWallet after working at companies including Hallmark Cards, Sprint Corp. and The Kansas City Star. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years. Pamela is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all. She is a graduate of the Maynard Institute's Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists' President's Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet's Nerds of Color employee resource group. So, what’s your score? How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work How to Budget Money in 5 Steps 28 Proven Ways to Save Money What to Buy (and Skip) in June 2026 By Tommy Tindall, Lisa Mulka 13 Ways to Find the Best Deals Online By Lauren Schwahn, Elizabeth Ayoola Return Policy Guide: What to Know and Which Stores Stand Out By Lauren Schwahn, Lisa Mulka 6 of the Best Cash-Back Apps By Tommy Tindall, Lisa Mulka, Hal M. Bundrick, CFP® How to Build a Holiday Budget That Works Every Year By Amanda Barroso When is Black Friday? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Shop By Amanda Barroso