Holiday shopping isn’t just the usual mall scene decked with boughs of holly; it’s a whole lot crazier. With many so things to buy and so many people crowding the aisles, skill and patience are mandatory. The following 50 tips for savvy shopping should help consumers save money, time, and sanity this holiday season.
USE AN APP OR LOOK ONLINE TO COMPARE PRICES
Don’t buy a gift from the first place you find it. Do your homework before checking out.
GO IN WITH A PLAN
Make a list for each store, complete with a budget for each gift, for efficient holiday shopping.
USE COUPONS
But only for items you need. Don’t get lulled into buying things that aren’t on your list just because you found a good coupon.
SHOP YARD SALES (ONLINE AND OFF)
This doesn’t always mean buying used goods. Brand-new items in original packaging sometimes show up at these events.
START NOW
Waiting until the last minute to purchase holiday gifts can back you into a corner, forcing you to pay the going rate. Catch the sales as they crop up.
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BUY OUT OF SEASON
Instead of going for all the winter wear on offer, search the clearance racks for end-of-season clothing and shoes, and stock up on the next size for the kids.
USE A REWARDS CARD
Many credit cards offer rewards points based on purchases. Redeem the points you accrue for cash or gift cards.
WHEN IN DOUBT, SKIP IT
Unless you’re 100 percent sure the recipient will absolutely love the gift, wait until you find something better.
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SHOP WITH LIKE-MINDED BUDDIES
Pick a shopping partner who has the same goals and focus rather than someone who is likely to veer off plan.
ASK ABOUT PRICE MATCHING
Many stores match advertised prices from competitors (although Thanksgiving weekend is often excluded from price matching). Armed with other stores’ ads and knowledge of price-matching policies, shoppers can save more than a few pennies.
KNOW WHEN YOU’RE ELIGIBLE FOR DISCOUNTS
Some retailers offer discounts for seniors, students, and members of organizations such as AAA. Be sure to ask and have the appropriate identification to cash in.
SAVE RECEIPTS
Leaving the store with an item doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. Be sure you know the store’s return policy.
BE WARY OF NEW PRODUCTS WITH NO TRUSTED REVIEWS
Wait until the all the kinks are worked out before shelling out for the latest and greatest model of anything.
LOOK FOR HIDDEN COSTS
If you need to pay for software or hardware just to make a product work, or if a purchase locks you into a subscription or a contract, the deal might not be so hot.
BRING SNACKS
Smart shoppers know there is no time to be hungry or thirsty, and you’re unlikely to find good value at the food court, so come prepared.
PAY OFF YOUR CREDIT CARD RIGHT AWAY
Don’t even wait until the end of the month. Make a payment while a big purchase is fresh in your mind so there’s no risk of late fees or added interest.
NEVER PAY FULL PRICE
Nearly everything is discounted this time of year, so if an item isn’t on sale and you don’t have a coupon, forget about it. Have a backup plan or keep watch for the price to fall.
SIGN UP FOR PRICE ALERTS
Save time and let a price-tracking tool such as PriceZombie, TrackIf, and CamelCamelCamel do all the price watching. Sit back and receive notifications when a price drops.
SIGN UP FOR LOYALTY CARDS
Sign up for any merchant offering that promises exclusive coupons or discounts but doesn’t require opening a credit card account.
SHOP ONLINE
Avoid the crowds and quickly search for the best prices from the comfort of home.
LEAVE THE KIDS AT HOME
Of course you want to spend time with them, but shopping will go a lot more quickly if you keep your eyes on the in-store prizes.
BEWARE OF GIMMICKS
If you have to buy this to get that — say, a gift card good for only a week after the first of the year — it’s a lure to get you to buy something you may not need.
USE MOBILE APPS TO KEEP TRACK OF PURCHASES
Money management apps such as Mint and BillGuard keep track of your spending and your budget in one convenient digital space.
WAIT FOR FREE SHIPPING DAY
Many online retailers offer free shipping during the holiday season. Hundreds will do so on Free Shipping Day, Dec. 18.
DO IT YOURSELF
If you can make it, don’t buy it. DIY projects truly come from the heart and generally cost less.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE GIFT WRAPPING
Wrapping gifts takes time and money that can be saved for other items. Seek out retailers and malls that offer this service.
OPT OUT OF THE GIFT RECEIPT
The recipient may get credit for the price of the item the day it’s returned, which may not be what you paid for it. Take the regular receipt instead.
CREATE A ‘GIFT ONLY’ EMAIL ADDRESS
Rather than wading through store newsletters and coupons that show up in your regular email, create an address dedicated to these missives.
MAP YOUR ROUTE
Time is money, and so is gasoline. Plan shopping trips around clusters of stores.
PRE-SHOP THE POST-THANKSGIVING DEALS
Know exactly what you are going to purchase on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and stick to the plan.
BE AN EARLY BIRD
It’s worth an hour or two less sleep to arrive when stores open in the early morning hours to score a top gift item at a fraction of the price.
SHARE YOUR TOP GIFT NEEDS WITH FRIENDS
If they spot an item on your list at a good price while shopping, they can buy it and save you the trip.
USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIND THE BEST DEALS
Follow the Twitter accounts and Facebook pages of Black Friday sites and retailers that advertise last-minute or unpublished deals.
BUY GIFT CARDS TO REDEEM FOR FUEL POINTS
Many grocery chains operate gas stations that award fuel points for in-store purchases. Present a gift card to someone else or use one yourself and rake in the fuel discounts.
STOCK UP AT THE DOLLAR STORE
Many holiday items, such as wrapping paper, gift bags, ornaments, and bows, are much cheaper at the dollar store and just as functional.
CREATE A HOLIDAY BANK ACCOUNT
Put the money you’ve been saving for the holiday season in a dedicated account, so you know exactly how much you have to spend and don’t go over budget.
KEEP SHOPPING AFTER THE HOLIDAY
Plan ahead for next year by shopping the holiday clearance racks. Just don’t forget what you have.
GIVE THE GIFT OF SERVICE
Create a gift certificate for a service you can provide to a loved one who would benefit more from an intangible than a material gift.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
Organize a team of shoppers, share your lists, and spread out to complete everyone’s shopping in an efficient and timely manner.
SHOP YOUR BASEMENT
The ceiling for a “white elephant” or other gift exchange often is $10 or $15. Raid your stash for unopened candles, mugs, and holiday décor.
WATCH OUT FOR MAIL-IN REBATES
Some of the biggest discounts advertised this season depend on mail-in rebates. If you go for one of these deals, be sure to follow through, and bear in mind that you may have to cut a barcode off a product given as a gift.
BUY IN BULK
Save time and money by buying multiples of the same gift — a case of wine to be divided, for example, or a package of Costco gift cards.
BUY OLDER ELECTRONICS
Save a little by opting for last year’s model, which probably doesn’t differ much from the newest one.
BAKE GIFTS INSTEAD OF BUYING
Nothing says the holidays like a plate of freshly baked cookies. Head to the grocery store instead of the mall to put together a sweet gift.
SHOP DISCOUNT WEBSITES
Sites such as Groupon, LivingSocial, and Zulily offer goods and services at deeply discounted rates. The offers are live for short periods and change frequently.
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIST
Consider buying one big gift for a family, such as a zoo membership, rather than several individual gifts.
REWARD YOURSELF
Don’t hesitate to accept a free gift with purchase or to spend extra store dollars on something special for all your hard work.
SHOP AT OFF-PEAK TIMES
You’ll get more attention from salespeople and can take the time to make wise buying decisions.
DRIVE FOR A GOOD DEAL
Although the selection may be better, prices are likely to be higher in big cities. Drive an hour or so away and you’ll likely score a cheaper deal, even factoring in the price of gasoline.
ENJOY YOURSELF
Step outside the stress box, and focus on the season’s joy and the special time with family and friends.
