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As much as we don’t want to think about it, Christmas is 68 Days Away! These holiday shopping tips if used as described are sure to save you a boatload of money.
So, if you’ve started to think about your holiday shopping plans and expenses I want to give you a few tools that will make sure you’re getting the best deal you can for the least amount of money.
Table of Contents
HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS
SHOP USING DISCOUNTED GIFT CARDS
It is always fun to get a deal. It is even better to get a super great deal. A simple way to do this is to shop with discounted gift cards. Before you head out to shop, visit eBay to find discounted gift cards. You can find gift cards from hundreds of retailers at seriously deep discounts.
I’ve done this for several years in a row and save a lot of money each year by using this one simple trick. Last year I was able to purchase a $500 gift card to Toy’s R Us for $430. That was $70 that went right back into my pocket for more holiday shopping. There are all sorts of stores on eBay that sell discounted card – everything from Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target, Walmart, Best Buy and many more. eBay is probably my number one Black Friday shopping secret I can share with you today.
PRICE CHECK IN STORE
When I do venture into a store to shop, I have my Christmas list in one hand and my phone in the other. As I find the items I want, I always do a quick scan to check to see if it is less expensive elsewhere. The way I do this is by using Amazon. Their app has a feature which allows you to scan the barcode of the products right in the store.
Last year, we saved more than $100 just by using the app. The price was less on Amazon than it was in the store. As we found the discounted item, it was added to my Amazon cart while I was still at the other store! This way I didn’t forget about the deal and found myself paying more later.
WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE USE EBATES
If you’re going to shop online this holiday season, make sure you go to and use Ebates.
Not familiar with Ebates? Let me quickly explain how Ebates works. Stores pay Ebates a commission for sending our shoppers to their websites, and they share it with you. It’s that simple!
If you’re going to shop online why not earn cash back anyhow? Make sure to visit Ebates before you make a purchase or download the Ebates shopping assistant to your computer and always be reminded to activate the cash back option.
BE A SMART ONLINE SHOPPER
I have been a fan of online shopping for several years and I pretty much do the majority of my Christmas shopping online. It beats having to deal with the crowds. The selection of prices can’t be beaten in my opinion and you can price match super easily when online. Everything is right at your fingertips.
I’m going on my 8th year now of Amazon Prime Membership, which gives me free 2-day shipping on all of my purchases. This is super helpful for me and actually saves me money. And because I live in the middle of nowhere its super convenient too. Right now is a great time to sign up for a one-month trial membership – you’ll get free shipping through the holidays and you always cancel after the holiday rush is through.
Amazon is by far my favorite online retailer, especially their Holiday Gold Box Lightning Deals, where they offer a selection of their most popular items at crazy low prices.
DOUBLE YOUR SAVINGS
You know those discounted gift cards you bought on eBay? Use them online after you activate your Ebates cash back for even more savings!
OUTWIT DYNAMIC PRICING
Dynamic pricing is a sneaky strategy online merchants offer use to show different prices to different customers according to your location, your browsing and spending patterns and current demand of the product. Have you ever found dirty cheap airfare that went 30% higher when you checked on the next day?
That’s dynamic pricing in action. As this technique has gotten incredibly sophisticated, most retailers are perfectly aware of your price point and may show you a higher price compared to someone else who pays less in online purchases.
To get a less biased price you should:
- clear your browsing history and cookies in particular
- log out of your accounts (email, G+, Facebook, etc.)
- switch to the incognito mode
- choose localized website versions instead of being redirected to US
- choose less developed countries as home to get better prices when searching for airfare
USE MULTIPLE COUPON CODES STRATEGICALLY
If the website allows you to combine different coupons and promo codes at the checkout, use them in the right order. Say you have a promo code for a 20% discount and a coupon for 10$, apply 20% promo code first.
That will subtract 20% from the full price, afterward, you can dig more savings with your $10 discount coupon.
I hope these holiday shopping tips and strategies help you save big money when shopping this holiday season!
If you’re anything like me and you often forget about Ebates, download the free printable to help remind you to go to Ebates first before paying for your online purchases!
Happy Bargain Hunting!
