If you found yourself pondering about your personal shopping strategy during your latest Xmas shopping session, this might raise your mood:

"One of the study's key takeaways for people who have been tempted to try their hand at cherry-picking -- but doubted that it was worth the effort -- is that it can pay off handsomely. But shopping can really pay big-time dividends if shoppers buy a lot of the item or items that their research has shown to be offered at an excellent price. Put simply: If something shoppers need or want is dirt cheap, they should buy the biggest box, bottle or carton available, buy as many as they can afford, and find a way to make room for all the stuff in their basement or garage."