3 Tricks For Cutting Holiday Spending

When we think about holiday shopping, next to just getting it over with, the thought on everyone’s mind is usually, “How can I just get it over with…inexpensively?” The holiday shopping season can really break your budget – if you let it. This is the time of year that retailers advertise deals that are “just too good to pass up”, resulting in us spending more than we would normally. Knowing where and when to shop are the keys to getting the most bang for your holiday buck.

The first stop on your holiday shopping list should be your computer. That’s right – your computer. Not only can shopping from the comfort of your own home save on time and gas, it can save you a considerable amount of money. Most retailers offer far better deals online than they do in brick and mortar stores, which can go a long way in reducing how much you spend this holiday season. Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, officially kicks off the holiday shopping season. Here are three ways that you can cut your holiday spending while taking advantage of the Black Friday promotional offers.

1. Do your research.

Many retailers’ Black Friday ads are “leaked” ahead of time, offering shoppers a sneak peek at the deals that will soon be up for grabs. If you skim and scan these ads before the sales start and familiarize yourself with the items, you can use this information to compare with other merchants’ ads to ensure you get the best deal. Further, you can find which stores won’t be offering anything on your list so that you can avoid them, thereby saving precious shopping time.

2. Beware of shipping charges.

Due to recent postal increases, shipping charges are at an all-time high. These charges can add a considerable amount of money to an online shopper’s budget. If you find an item being offered at a price you think truly is unbeatable, factor in the cost of shipping the item to you to see if it’s still worth the price. Shipping charges, once added, can easily raise the price of an item back to normal retail, which defeats the purpose of a “sale”. During the holiday season, some

merchants will also offer deals on shipping at a fraction of the normal rates. Some even offer free shipping on certain items. Try and shop the sales of these merchants as much as possible, to ensure that you are saving the most money all around.

3. Wait until Monday.

Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is prime time for online shoppers. Retailers have consistently reported this being the busiest shopping day of the year for those making purchases online. For that reason, many retailers offer special promotions targeted at online shoppers. Shoppers should remember, though, that it is still prudent to do their research and compare prices and shipping charges just like they would for Black Friday. Otherwise, they might get “click happy” with all the deals being offered and end up spending more money, rather than saving money.

There are no short cuts to a hassle free holiday, but when you start early and shop smart you can avoid unnecessary expenses. With a little patience and smart strategizing, it may just be a Merry Christmas after all.

Jane is a writer for Dealio.com an online coupon code site specializing in Cyber Monday offers. She has always considered herself a bargain shopper who always searches clearance racks first and never makes an online purchase without a discount code.