What Does Your Holiday Shopping Look Like This Year?
Cyber Monday has been one of the biggest shopping days in the U.S. This year, experts say fewer Americans will rush to spend on the one day – and will spread their holly jolly spending.
More Cyber Monday Shopping Tips
Tip No. 1: Check your inbox
If you’ve signed up for email alerts from your favorite retailers, keep an eye on your inbox. Many retailers will offer exclusive deals to email customers on Cyber Monday. You might even find a few popup sales that aren’t advertised anywhere else.
Tip No. 2: Get social
Another great place for exclusive offers and coupon codes is on your favorite social platforms. Retailers are sure to be posting on Cyber Monday and you might snag a few more coupon codes that you can use for even bigger discounts.
Tip No. 3: Always shop with your list
People think that impulse purchases and window shopping only happens in a store, but you face these things with online shopping, too. You have splash pages, pop up ads and banner ads. You have recommended items and “customers also purchased” lists that tempt with up-sell items as you go to checkout. All these things can drive you to make purchases you didn’t put in your holiday budget. So, shop with your list and don’t add items to your cart that you don’t need.
Tip No. 4: Expect ads to stalk you
Online marketers have creative ways of stalking you online after you visit their website. They’re called “retargeting campaigns” and what they do is follow you after you leave a website without taking any action. So, let’s say you’re looking at a blouse for your mom from your favorite retailer. If you leave the site without purchasing it, banner ads on other websites will advertise that site you left and even the specific blouse you were looking at to get you to come back to make the purchase.
Just be aware of this technique and don’t get tempted into making a purchase you already decided not to make.
More holiday resources
Ask the Expert: Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft at the Holidays
Gary Herman offers his tips for identity protection to help you get through the holidays without the hassle of credit card fraud. Keep your identity safe as you shop for the holidays.
Holiday Budgeting Guide
Financial PlanningNo matter how much people love the holidays or how well they’ve planned, many people find themselves frazzled at some point. This publication helps you develop a practical spending plan to cover all your expenses, from gifts and decorations to travel and entertaining. Learn how to enjoy the holidays without taking on debt.
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