7 Easy Ways To Save On Holiday Shopping
It’s beginning to look a lot like…empty wallets OR maybe full wallets if you follow these 5 ways to shop smart this holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers plan to spend an average of $998 on holiday shopping this year so being smart with your money will be a huge determining factor on how much you actually get out of your holiday spend. Check out these simple ways you can save when you’re shopping for gifts online or in-store.
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 all of the options so you pick the right 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 products 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 $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 the financial institution you have a credit card with 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. If you’re a Launch Visa Platinum Rewards credit card holder, we are currently running our 321 Blastoff promotion where you can earn up to 3 times the points on qualifying purchases. CLICK HERE to learn more.
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.
