Holiday Savings

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Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas are some of the biggest Shopping Days in the year!

Over the years, I have always tried to learn new ways to get the best deals without losing sleep,

and without giving up family time.

You can find our best, easy tips here now!

Tip#1  Have a plan:

Planning is critical with any project!  It can be easy, and should be slightly flexible for any last minute changes.

• Set up a Budget.

Create a budget for household items, and a separate one for gifts.

Make up your mind to keep to those budgets.  Think about your future, and how saving money will definitely give you peace of mind, and empower you.

• Make a list of the names of people and the amounts. 

These are amounts that you would like to spend on each person.

Having this list helps us stick to our budget.  You will know that once you reach an amount for each person, you need to stop.

• Visit the Stores online.

Sometimes online deals begin a week or two before Black Friday.

See features about the products you like, so when you compare them, it will be easier.

See store layouts, and plan your trip accordingly to these stores.

Make sure to compare sites to Thanksgiving circulars of those stores, for the latest updates.

• Pay attention to door buster specials. 

Some stores have midnight madness, and early bird specials on Thanksgiving day.

• Visit other sites.

These sites include, The Black Friday, or Best Black Friday.

Another site to check out is Bfads.net.

These sites give you the latest hot deals, and the store hours.

• Compare prices.

See the list for the best sites.  I like pricegrabber.com which is easy to use.

• Check out Savy Apps.

These apps can save you money not only during the holidays, but the whole year round.

Tip#2  Using a credit card.

This is for those who have the spending discipline to not overcharge.  If you can use a credit card,

the benefits include (for many credit card companies) extended warranties on the items you purchase,

and refund protection (some guarantee a refund up to 90 days).

Otherwise, if you haven’t set aside money in a separate account for gifts (I would make this a goal for next year), use cash, or get a store gift card, and use it till it is complete.  Once it is done, you know you need to stop. 

Tip#3 Shop with Ebates.

Ebates helps you save.  As it offers cash back at over 2,000 stores such as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Kohl’s.  These stores pay Ebates a commission for sending you to them, and Ebates shares the commission with you!

 

Tip#4 Know the Return Policy, and get gift receipts.

The return policy will help you to decide where to purchase the item.  As there is a trend towards shorter return deadlines.  Also, include gift receipts will make it much easier for the gift recipient.

 

Tip#5 Don’t fall for the ‘limited’ time gimmicks.

You don’t have to buy an item you don’t need or use, just because it is on sale.  Be wise about how you spend your money.

Here’s a Summary for you:

• Have a plan:
  • Set a Budget.
  • Make a list of people and amounts.
  • Visit stores online.
  • Pay attention to door buster specials.
  • Visit other sites.
  • Compare prices.
  • Visit Savy Apps.
• Using a Credit Card.
• Shopping with Ebates.
• Know the return policy and get gift receipts.
• Don’t fall for the limited time gimmicks.

Finally remember to keep your cool, and if this gets too stressful, you can always shop online, as free shipping is offered,

on certain days during the holiday season.  Also, if you miss out on Black Friday, there is always Cyber Monday.

With a little planning, you can save money, spend more time with your family and enjoy the holiday season!

How do you plan on saving this holiday season?  Please share this with us, in the comments below.