Holiday Shopping Hacks to Help You Save

The holiday shopping season is in full swing! It can be more complex than ever to stick to your budget between inflated prices, the rising cost of gas, and the urge to splurge this time of year. Here, we’ve listed some holiday shopping hacks to help keep your spending under control while still finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.

Make a List and Check it Twice

It’s not just for groceries—this tried-and-true shopping hack can help you keep costs down this holiday season. When you shop with a list in hand, and you’re careful to stick to it, you can make responsible shopping decisions instead of buying anything and everything that catches your eye.

Compare Prices

In the age of apps and the internet, comparison shopping is a lot easier than driving across town from store to store. All it takes is a few quick clicks to check if the item you want to purchase is available elsewhere and for less. You can also use a price-checking app to search for the hottest deal even more accessible.

Don’t Shop Alone

Grab a friend when you shop to help keep you on track. You can share your intended budget with your friend or let them know which gifts you’ll be looking for on this particular shopping trip and ask them to gently remind you to stay within budget and on-plan as you browse. A friend can also come in handy when you find a fantastic BOGO (buy one get one free) offer but only need one item — split the cost to gain some savings.

Take Advantage of Rebates and Refunds

Wouldn’t it be awesome to get paid to shop? When you purchase through a rebate app like Earny or Rakuten, you get cashback for every purchase you make.

Why not get paid from the retailer, too? Some retailers offer refunds for late deliveries or will give you money back if there’s been a price change on an item since you’ve purchased it.

Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Gift cards are a great way to save time and money on gift shopping. You can find discounted gift cards on sites like GiftDeals, Raise and CardCash for big-name brands of all kinds, including Lowe’s, Old Navy, Starbucks, Amazon, and dozens more. Best of all, the person receiving the gift card never has to know you snagged it at a discounted price.

Shop With Coupons

There is no need to touch a pair of scissors to take advantage of coupons in 2021! Before completing an online purchase, do a quick search of sites, like RetailMeNot, to check for available coupons that can bring down the price. You can also use a browser extension, like Honey, which automatically finds and applies coupons while shopping.

Shop Early

It’s always a good idea to get your shopping done well before the holidays to keep from overspending when you’re pressed for time. This year especially, with delivery delays and supply shortages expected to last into 2022, it’s best to tackle your holiday shopping as soon as you can. When you shop with a clear head, and the store shelves are still well-stocked, you’re more likely to stick to your budget and make responsible spending decisions.

The holidays are coming, but that doesn’t mean you need to kiss your budget goodbye. Follow the tips outlined above to save big on gift shopping this year.

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This article is for educational purposes only. WeStreet Credit Union makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or specific suitability of any information presented. Information provided should not be relied on or interpreted as legal, tax or financial advice. Nor does the information directly relate to our products and/or services terms and conditions.