From feast mode to holiday shopping frenzy, ’tis the season to be gift buying. Good deals and plenty of last-minute temptations can pull the purse strings of even the savviest of shoppers. So we’ve narrowed down 7-holiday shopping secrets to help you dominate your holiday wish list – without breaking the bank.
1. Identify What You are Shopping For
If you’re planning to buy holiday gifts, instead of browsing blindly, make a list – and check it twice, of everyone you plan to buy for. Set a price limit you’d like to spend on each. Next, only jot down gift ideas that are at, or under that number. If you’re not sure, compare the products and deals online before you buy. Lastly, write the store where you can find the preferred gifts and get shopping! Once purchased, cross off the items from your list as you go. To stay on budget, here’s the rule of thumb: if it’s not on your list, or if the item is out of your price range – just say no!
2. Do Your Research
Do your research ahead of time to find the best deals for each item. Where can you find the best deal this year? The local shops, or maybe an online store? You may be surprised to find that the top store from last year may not be your best bet this season. Do your research ahead of time to make sure you can enjoy more for less.
3. Find Online Coupons
No one wants to spend more money than they have to. Did you know that there are plenty of websites and mobile apps that offer holiday coupon codes and discounts to some of the top stores and products we love? It’s definitely worth checking out before swiping your credit card.
4. Look for Deals on Social Media
As the social media savvy person you are – use it to your advantage. Make sure to follow all your favorite brands on social media to get the latest updates about deals and promo codes they may be offering. If you’re on the hunt for a specific product, search for hashtags to find all retailers you may not even have thought about. That way, you know you’ll stay ahead of the game to find the best deals even when you’re on the go.
5. Sign up for Newsletters
If you haven’t signed up on your favorite store’s email-list yet, you’re missing out. Most stores and brands send out juicy offers to members on their email list before offering the same deals to the public. In other words, it’s pretty much VIP treatment! And with the holiday shopping season around the corner, you have no time to waste if you want to best offers sent straight to your mailbox.
6. Don’t Fall for too Many Card Offers
Overspending and over-eagerness to cash in on those 15% off store cards can potentially hurt your credit for months or even years! If you shop at a store on a regular basis, and if payments are not an issue for you, a store card discount may be beneficial. With that said, going overboard on this practice – or not being responsible with your bills, can really damage your credit score. If you only shop there occasionally; or if you have several store cards piled up already – it may not be wise to sign up for more. A 15% or 20% discount could end up costing you more than you bargained for if you can’t keep up with your payments – or get too many, too fast.
7. Check out Cyber Monday Deals
Due to this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, much of the Black Friday craze has shifted online. This means there’s no better time than now to cash in on those mega Cyber Monday deals! Online shopping, especially on Cyber Monday, is a great way to stay safe, score solid deals, and also support many of your local business while doing so.
