From The Tribune staff reports
BOSTON — The holiday shopping season officially starts the Friday after Thanksgiving. And according to a recent survey conducted by TopCashback.com, the USA’s most generous cashback site, more than half of Americans plan to shop the most for the holidays on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
To help you prepare for the biggest shopping weekend of the year, here are five tips to maximize your savings this Black Friday and Cyber Monday from Rebecca Gramuglia, Consumer Expert at TopCashback.com.
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Compare prices. With lots of Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads being released early or sales already starting, take some time to do your research on where to get the best deal ahead of time. The last thing you want to do is compare prices in the middle of shopping only to have your item get marked as “out of stock” when you go to checkout.
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Stack the savings. Once you’ve compared your prices, see if you can stack on any additional coupon codes or store rewards for an extra discount. Plus, be sure to shop through a cashback site like TopCashback.com to score a percentage of your holiday shopping purchases back in cashback from stores like Macy’s, Walmart, Sephora, Nike and more. Pro-tip: Stack even more rewards on your purchase with your credit card. Look to see what stores and categories your card is offering cashback on to score additional savings.
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Stick to your plan. Especially when you’re shopping online, it’s not hard to get sidetracked. Whether it’s different tabs with enticing offers or a “free gift with purchase,” sometimes these tricks can end up costing you more than you wanted to spend. If you find yourself trying to make a free shipping minimum, consider if you really need that item or if you’re better off opting for budget-friendly curbside or in-store pickup.
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Be quick. Whether it’s doorbuster deals or a must-have toy, it’s important to be aware of any limited quantities on an item. Make sure you’re in front of the virtual line by setting an alarm and shopping early. Not sure what time the products will be available? Check the retailer’s website for any inside scoop on when the sale starts so you don’t miss out.
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Read the fine print. Holiday shopping can happen in the blink of an eye. It’s important to always check the fine print on an item – whether it’s the return policy, shipping timelines or anything in-between – to make sure you’re comfortable purchasing the item. If you don’t read the fine print, you may end up having to keep a “final sale” item that you would’ve likely returned or have to pay shipping costs to send the product back.
