The continued commercialization of post-Thanksgiving shopping has led to people spending lots of money in a very short amount of time. This type of behavior can lead some folks into financial trouble and debt. While it is the time of year for giving, it should not be done at the cost of your financial well-being.
With Black Friday and Small Business Saturday gone and Cyber Monday/Week upon us, I thought I would share some online shopping tips and reminders:
Don’t Go Into Debt
I’m sure we all would love to give to our family, friends, and ones in need, but it should be done with proper restraint. The point of the holiday season is to give and show love and that does not need to be shown with money or material things. Be mindful of how much money you are spending this holiday season.
Buy With Intent
There are so many good deals and discounts out there right now on different products, but that doesn’t mean you have to empty your wallet. Make sure you are making purchases on products that will be used and wanted.
Research and Compare Deals
Cyber week is much more competitive than Black Friday because it is much easier to find and compare prices on products. While it is easy to stick to Amazon for all of your cyber week needs, Amazon has also become the competitor to beat. Make sure you shop around for the products you want to ensure you get the best price.
Credit Card Deals/Benefits
You can maximize money saved on cyber week deals by using the correct credit card for the purchase. Many credit cards have specific benefits or deals for shopping that will result in extra cash back or bonus points earned. Here are some examples of the benefits our credit cards offer that will help us this Cyber Week:
- Discover – 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Wholesale Clubs
- American Express – Amex Offers and ShopRunner which provides extra cash back and free 2-day shipping for select companies.
- Chase – Ultimate Reward Deals providers discount rates when redeeming points on select products.
You can find out more about our credit card line-up in the Beginner’s Guide to Credit Cards.
Strategic Couponing
Many businesses will allow you to use coupons or promo codes along with the Cyber Week deals, so don’t forget to search your emails or RetailMeNot.com for any coupons or promo codes before finalizing your purchase.
Do you have any additional tips for Cyber Week? Share your tips in the comments below!
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