1. Make A List

• Set an exact amount you would like to spend for the entire holiday.
• Price out each item.
• Keep your list handy to cross off each item you purchase so you can see how much you have left to buy.

2. Check It Twice

Now that you know what you need to buy, the next step is to research your options so you pick the best one. If you’re purchasing electronics, furniture, or other high-ticket items, you’ll want to check online reviews. This is your best bet in discovering the truth about products. Amazon is wonderful for this because they show each product’s 1-5 star rating. Start there and cross-reference products on additional sites before you buy.

3. Compare Prices

You can check your local retailers to see if any are offering a price-match guarantee. This means they will match the price of a competitor, or even offer it for lower! Next, you will want to price shop. Research your local and online stores to see which ones are offering your items for the cheapest. If you’re shopping online, make sure to take shipping costs into account. Plan to check online prior to Black Friday and Cyber Monday so you can maximize your savings. You can also check out sites like Brad’s Deals and RetailMeNot for lower prices.

4. Consider A Gift Exchange

Too many people to buy for? A gift exchange may be the best option for you. Instead of buying for all your friends, set up a gift exchange and keep the limit to $20 and under. Amazon has a variety of categories ranging from gifts under $100 to gifts under $10. This way, everyone spends the same amount, and you can focus on finding one gift and get the most bang for your buck.

5. Download Cash Back Apps

These will come in handy this holiday season because many retailers are offering cash back on purchases specifically through cash back apps. They range anywhere from 1% to 11%, so your savings can be huge. If you need to purchase something from a specific retailer, make sure to check a cash-back app first to see if they’re running a cash-back offer. Some cash-back apps even allow you to create a wish list and they’ll notify you when the price has dropped. Check out our list of the best cash-back apps.

6. Use A Rewards Credit Card

Check to see if your financial institution is running any points, cash back, or statement credit deals during the holidays. This is a great way to purchase what you need while also getting rewarded for it. 

7. Look For Free Shipping

Shipping costs add up fast, so when you shop through a site that offers free shipping, you’ve hit the jackpot. You may find a better deal on a site, but if they charge shipping, it may not be the best bargain. Pull out your calculator and see which one ends up being cheaper after factoring in the shipping costs. If the site you’re shopping on doesn’t offer free shipping, visit Freeshipping.org to see if you can find a free shipping code.