Tips for Smart Shopping: How to Navigate Holiday Deals
Reduce stress and stay in control of your spending
Holiday deals during shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday might offer great discounts but navigating them without a plan can quickly tempt us into overspending. Follow these smart shopping strategies to make the most of these major sales events and use our tips to avoid the financial stress that accompanies holiday-related spending.
Plan Ahead
- Start researching deals and discounts in advance. Make a list of items you want to buy to compare prices across different retailers. Write down the brand, model, aisle number, size and any other details or specifications you want to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want.
- Get out your spending plan to determine how much you want to spend and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases entirely or account for them in your plan to give yourself some wiggle room while shopping. Use our holiday spending plan if know how much you want to dedicate to holiday expenses.
Use Cash Back and Rewards
- Look into the details of your debit or credit cards as some may offer cash back or rewards. Credit Human’s CashBack+ and RoundUp are two checking account features offered to members that can help you build financial slack while spending money. Just keep in mind to practice thoughtful spending habits and pay off credit card balances promptly to avoid interest charges.
Subscribe to Newsletters and Alerts
- Subscribe to newsletters and alerts from your favorite retailers as they sometimes send exclusive deals and discounts to subscribers.
- Follow retailers on social media for real-time updates on upcoming deals.
Shop Online
- Cyber Monday is entirely online, but in recent years, Black Friday sales have gone digital as well. Consider shopping online to avoid impulse buying.
- Use price comparison tools like Honey or Shoptimate. These browser extensions will automatically compare prices across different websites when you add an item to your cart to ensure you get the best deal.
Shop Early and Late
- Keep an eye out for early bird deals. Some retailers start their sales before Black Friday or Cyber Monday officially begins. The same goes for deals extending past the end date.
Preparing with your spending plan and these tips, you can snag great deals without overspending. For personalized guidance with your finances, visit your nearest Financial Health Center.