It’s Sunday night, and you’re likely looking at your week ahead. Inevitably, you’ll notice that Thursday is Thanksgiving, followed by Black Friday. And right about now, you’re probably thinking about all of the holiday shopping you still have to do, because only people with their lives truly together start shopping early in the year. Sorry we can’t all by Gwyneth Paltrow, ya know?
In order to not blow money that you don’t need to this season, it’s important to plan ahead. The more of a frenzy you find yourself in, the more you’ll spend on things that you can wrap up and put under the tree, even if your loved one doesn’t need it. These gifts are usually purchased at Brookstone; beware.
So, we’ve gathered a few useful tips for saving money this season. You’re going to spend enough already, so it’s best to be smart and pinch pennies when you can. Who wants to start off 2015 with credit card debit?
1. Take advantage of flash sale sites
Even if the future of the flash sale site is in up in the air, sites like Rue La La, Gilt City and Wayfair give us great ways to find designer products without breaking the bank. Whether you need accessories, shoes, clothing, home goods, or even city experiences like restaurant deals, these flash sale sites are the perfect place for gift hunting.
2. Use money-saving tools to make the smartest buys
Thinking about buying something but aren’t sure about the price? Your smart phone holds the answer. Poach It will show if there are better deals for the same item existing on the web; RetailMeNot scours the Internet for coupons and deals that you can save to your phone before you shop. In addition, iBeacon tools like Shopkick and Swirl connect your smartphone with special deals as you shop in-store.
3. Skip Black Friday and shop these holiday events
If the thought of shopping on Black Friday gives you hives, but you don’t want to miss out on all the deals, sleep in on Friday and mark your calendars with these local holiday shopping events instead. Local shops, like Madewell and Alex & Ani, are hosting events with discounts and promos, and neighborhood-wide events also yield plenty of percent-off sales you can shop without fear of getting trampled.
4. Think ahead and shop online
If you procrastinate and wait until the week before Christmas to do your holiday shopping, you throw any possibility of taking advantage of online sales out the window. Because, shipping. But if you get started now, you can knock off items on your list without even leaving the house. Already, holiday sales are all over the web from major retailers, and there’s plenty of free shipping surrounding the season as well.
Image via Shutterstock
