As the holiday season approaches, savvy shoppers are looking for ways to stretch their dollars further. With retailers starting their holiday promotions as early as September and October, consumers don’t have to wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday to snag the best deals. Here are six effective strategies to save on your holiday shopping:
Start Shopping Early
Retailers are launching their holiday sales earlier than ever. Mathew Isaac, a marketing professor at Albers School of Business, Seattle University, notes that Black Friday is now part of a broader strategy for retailers to kick off the holiday season. This year, expect early deals not driven by inventory issues, providing ample opportunities to compare prices and make smart purchases.
Utilize Amazon Price Matching
Amazon’s competitive pricing and fast delivery make it a popular choice, but you’re not limited to shopping there. Stores like JCPenney, JoAnn, Lowe’s, Nordstrom, Office Depot, Staples (in-store), and Target offer price matching with Amazon. Use the Amazon app to compare prices and request a price match at the checkout or through customer service when shopping online.
Leverage Amazon Prime’s Free Trial
Take advantage of Amazon Prime’s shipping benefits without a full membership. By starting a free trial around November 19, you gain access to free shipping from Black Friday through the peak shopping period in December.
Set Up Price Drop Alerts
Stay ahead of price drops on specific gifts by using browser extensions such as Capital One Shopping, Honey, or The Camelizer (CamelCamelCamel). These tools allow you to track price history and receive alerts for price reductions. Pinterest also notifies you of price drops on saved Buyable Pins, enabling in-app purchases.
Download Store Apps for Exclusive Coupons
Maximize your savings by downloading store apps. These apps often provide access to exclusive coupons, sale alerts, discount codes, special promotions, and additional rewards.
Combine Multiple Shopping Rewards Programs
Enhance your savings by combining various shopping rewards programs, a technique known as reward stacking. This approach allows you to use a cashback credit card in conjunction with browser extensions like Rakuten or Fetch Rewards, maximizing discounts and cashback on purchases.