I am giving you all of my secret holiday shopping tips! Everyone who knows me knows that I love a good deal on quality items. If you are going to go shopping for gifts this holiday season, you need a plan. If you don’t have a strategy you can end up wasting time and money and nobody has time for that!
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1.Use Shoptagr to watch for deals
Shoptagr is one of my best-kept secrets! I’m already the type of person that takes a while to decide on purchasing things so this app/plugin makes it so much easier for me to do that. Instead of going back to check a website every day to see if the price went down, Shoptagr does all of that work for you! Not only does Shoptagr tell you if the price goes down, but they can also tell you if something comes back in stock in a particular color or size that you want. The best part is that you can use it in the app on your phone or just download the plugin for your browser of choice.
With how easy it is to use this you can easily track items to make sure you get the best deal on them when the item does go on sale. I also like to use it as just a general wishlist because even if you have items on the list and you buy them in-store, you can go back and mark the item as “fulfilled.”
2.Use the honey extension
Honey would have to be my second favorite extension to use! One of my main pieces of advice for shopping online is to Always look for a coupon code. You can almost always find a percentage off or at least free shipping for most stores. Instead of taking time to search through the internet and test out various codes you may find, Honey does it for you! When you’re on one of their supported sites (and most online retailers are) you can click the honey button when you’re at checkout and they will run every available coupon code to make sure that you get the best deal. How great is that?! A little button will also show up at check out to tell you if you’re getting the best deal.
3.Use Rakuten (Formally Ebates) to earn cash back
Why wouldn’t you want to get cash back?! Although the percentages from Rakuten may be small, if you frequently shop online, it can really add up! Raukuten is super simple and easy to use. It is another browser extension that I utilize. When you go on to a site where you can get cash back, Rakuten will ask you if you’d like to activate it–and of course, you do!
3.Pay attention to the random sales that occur
As the years go on, I’m starting to believe that Black Friday does not have the best deals of the year like they used to. Now it’s all about Cyber Monday or the other random pop up deals during the holiday shopping season. During this time from Thanksgiving until Christmas be on alert for items that might get discounted. If you’re smart, you’ll have Shoptagr keeping track of these items for you 🙂
4.If you’re in-store, always use an app like Retailmenot or do a quick search for coupons
There are certain stores like Gap, Bath & Body Works, Michael’s, or Ulta, where if you have been paying full price for items from there you have got to get hip! These stores almost always have either a sale going on or some kind of coupon that you can find online. Ulta usually has the either $3.50 or $5 off a purchase of $15 or more coupons if you look.
5.Also, if you’re in-store, always check that what you’re buying isn’t cheaper online
When I used to work at Banana Republic (for a whole month) I learned a few insider secrets. One of them was that sometimes items can be either cheaper online or in-store. There are also some cases where a better sale might be online. If I’m going to be spending a good amount on something I like to always just double check that I’m getting the best deal.
I’ve actually seen this at Target as well and fortunately they price match their online prices in-store.
6.Take advantage of Price Matching
I recommend this primarily for electronic. Best Buy has a really great Price matching program this can come in pretty clutch if you don’t want to order something online and your local Best Buy has it in store. It is super easy to work with the sales rep to get your items priced matched. There are usually a few caveats but primarily that they have to be price matching a direct retailer. For example, if you are price matching Amazon, Amazon has to be fulfilling the item and not a 3rd party retailer.
7.Get personal gifts after the holidays
I know when I’m shopping for other people I see so many good things I want to buy for myself, but I try to refrain and just make a note of the item. Almost all the stores have really good sales after Christmas to encourage people to come in and spend their Christmas cash and gift cards. If you can just be patient and wait a bit, you can take care of everyone else and then likely get a good deal on that item for yourself. And if that item is no longer available, then it probably wasn’t meant to be!
8.Have a list for what you want to get for people, but be open to inspiration
to get other things Unless there is something you absolutely have to get someone, be open to getting them other items. You might just see a book or smell a candle that would be perfect for that friend or family member, so you should get that! I have two posts that list gift ideas for Her and for Him if you need ideas!
9.Create a budget and Stick to it!
After the holidays, bills are still due lol. Be wise with your money and stick to your plan for your money. Don’t be afraid of being on a budget, it might not be the greatest feeling if you feel like you’re limiting yourself but your future self will appreciate your efforts when you are able to hit your financial goals. Your friends and family should be supportive of whatever efforts you’re making to better yourself and reach your goals.
Did I miss anything? Make sure you sign up for Rakuten here and let me know what your shopping strategy is!
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