How to Find Bargains For Your Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping can be stressful. There never seems to be enough time, enough energy or enough money to do it all. You want your holiday season to be fun and fulfilling, but can find it overwhelming and taxing on your mind, spirit and wallet. Here are some tips to help you find bargains this holiday season.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A holiday gift list
• A desire to save money and find bargains
• Patience and time to really search for the bargains that await you

1. Plan ahead. Create your gift list and budget and have it ready to go.
   Start earlier in the year if possible. Some people begin shopping as early as January for presents. If this is impossible for you right now, do not get overwhelmed. There are many bargains to find later in the year.

2. Take some time to scour the local newspapers and advertisements for sales. Make a note of specific items you were looking to purchase. Note the sales in specialty stores as well as department stores.

3. Before actually going to the stores, go through catalogs for special items that you cannot find in stores or online. Most catalogs now have online stores to make direct purchases from. Also, search the Internet for sales and special deals on items on your gift list. Look to purchase more than one item at the same online store or catalog to save on shipping and to save time. Consider purchasing from online stores that offer gift wrapping and free shipping or discounted shipping deals. Be on the look out for cash back offers, rebates and discounts at stores, catalogs and online stores.

4. For the sales at stores, search for those special discounts that they give for store card holders, early birds and the like. If you own a store credit card, consider purchasing items on your gift list from that store to rack in extra savings.
   
   Early bird specials and one day sales often offer amazing prices and special discounts. Expect to get to the stores offering one day sales early as the good stuff is often gone by the end of the day.

5. A major part of bargain hunting is comparison shopping. Make a note of prices and where you found an excellent price on your gift list so that you know in advance where to look and what to buy. Schedule specific shopping blocks and plan what you are going to buy and where to buy it in advance. If possible, stop by the store the day before any sales and check out items and prices.

6. Consider purchasing gift cards for those people who are on your gift list but you are unsure what to purchase for them. If you must give them a gift, consider a small gift in addition to a gift certificate. Or, try asking them what they want for the holidays, indirectly or directly.

7. The idea is to save money and find bargains, not exceed your budget limit. So, resolve to stick to your price limit no matter what. Remember, that it is the thought that counts, so do not feel guilty if you have not found the "perfect" gift or if you do not have the most money to spend on holiday presents this year.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your credit card sparingly. Consider using a debit card or a pre-loaded credit card.
• Make a note of stores and online sites where you found the most bargains. This information may prove handy for future shopping.
• Do not over-do it with your spending. Remember that the bills are coming in the New Year and you want to start out the upcoming year sane, not depressed and overwhelmed with credit card payments.
• Make a note of your traveling time and expenses. Note the amount of money you are spending on gas as this can hurt your wallet. Gas is expensive during the holiday shopping season so be aware of how much traveling you are doing in order to catch a sale. Try to limit your shopping to a specific mall or area to save on gas money.

Resources

• Better Budgeting For the Holiday

[apwil]

on 11/29/2008 Very helpful article - thanks. It gives me some direction now that I'm ready to think about the holidays!!