5 Ways to Shop Smart and Spend Less During the Holidays

Buying something only to find the same item at another retailer for a lower price can leave you feeling cheated. Apps and websites like Google Shopping and CamelCamelCamel aim to help you avoid that feeling. Google Shopping lets you explore options via a simple user-friendly interface. Once you find the item you want to track, simply go to view product details and look for the track price toggle button. Google will then notify you when the price of your items goes down. 

Do you do most of your shopping on Amazon? Then you might want to give CamelCamelCamel a try. CamelCamelCamel is a free Amazon price tracker that monitors millions of products, notifying you when the best deal is available so you can feel good about making your purchase.

Finding the right gift for a close loved one can be a difficult task especially when you have that challenge every year. That’s why gifting an experience can also be a great option and if you know where to look, you can even end up bagging amazing deals. 

When it comes to travel deals, Benefits Plus, offers some of the best savings around. Their Good As Gold Guarantee ensures you get the lowest travel rates available so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a deal. Besides the 3%-5% cash back on hotels, air travel, car rentals, and cruises, you can also save on local dining and attractions to help you create some special memories and give a gift that keeps on giving. 

Long gone are the days of having to search sites for coupon codes before hitting that purchase button. Now, all you have to do is simply download and install a browser extension like Honey or Rakuten, and they do the searching for you. 

Honey will find the best discount for your purchase while also allowing you to rack up points that you can later redeem for cash or other rewards. Rakuten also performs the same function of searching for codes but focuses more on giving you more cash back rewards. The great thing about installing tools like these is that you don’t have to remember to turn the tool on. When you’re at checkout, both Honey and Rakuten will automatically search and apply the coupon code for you. On average, users can look to save around $126 each year!

If you’re more of a brick-and-mortar shopper, consider condensing the number of trips you make to the store by grouping all of your shopping. Creating a game plan before walking out the door can help you stay focused on your budget while saving you money on gas. Jam-packed parking lots with long lines don’t necessarily make for fun times so if you’re also looking to save more of your time to spend with loved ones, avoid shopping on the weekend!