25 great ways to save on holiday shopping

Deals and discounts are aplenty during the holiday season — and they’re something consumers have come to expect. In a recent survey by Vericast, a marketing technology company, 38 percent of

holiday shoppers said they are interested in deals that will make holiday shopping cheaper. Perhaps that’s no surprise, considering budgets are tight and credit card interest rates are at

near-record highs.  But don’t worry. From coupons and price matching to timing certain purchases around sales events, here are 25 great ways to save on holiday shopping.  1. MAKE A LIST Take

a page from Santa Claus and make a list. Determine who you want to give gifts and how much you can reasonably afford to spend. The sooner you have this list in hand, the sooner you can get

started shopping and saving.  2. REMEMBER WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT The holidays are, ultimately, about spending time with friends, family and other loved ones, not getting into debt. So keep

things in perspective when gearing up for this festive time of year. Homemade gifts and gently used items are great ways to spread holiday cheer without breaking the bank.   3. IT’S OK TO

ASK FOR HELP Technology drives a lot of holiday savings opportunities these days, but digital shopping tools can be confusing, especially for first-time users. If a retailer’s mobile app or

website seems too complicated, ask for help from a friend, family member or at your local community center or library. AARP’s guide to money-saving apps may also come in handy.  4. FOLLOW

YOUR FAVORITE RETAILERS Oftentimes to score big deals, you have to be in the know. That entails joining your favorite retailers’ email lists and following them on social media. Signing up

for a retailer’s loyalty program can provide access to even more savings. One caveat: Some retailers require you to provide personal information, such as your phone number, when you sign up

for their loyalty program, so be mindful of that.   Save money with coupon codes. To see if any are available for specific retailers, Google the name and “coupon codes.” Sam Island 5.

SEARCH FOR COUPON CODES The Internet can be a treasure trove of coupon codes that can save you cash. In many cases, all it takes is a simple Google search, says Kevin Brasler, executive

editor of _Consumers’ Checkbook_, a resource for ratings, prices and reviews of businesses. (Google the retailer’s name and “coupon codes.”) Also, check out coupon code websites such as 

RetailMeNot, The Krazy Coupon Lady, and CouponCabin before making online purchases. 6. SAVE THOSE RECEIPTS The savings don’t always end at the cash register. You can save more if the

product you’re buying has a rebate. Rebates, which are a popular marketing tool, require you to mail in or fill out a form online and provide proof of purchase. In return, you get cash back

either via check, gift card, prepaid debit card, direct deposit or store credit. Note: Most rebates expire, generally within a few weeks, so mail or submit them online right away.  7. TIME

YOUR PURCHASES You don’t have to wait until the holiday shopping season heats up to score big deals. For instance, on Nov. 20, 2023 — three days before Black Friday — electronics were

already marked down 24.1 percent, toys were down 23.8 percent and apparel prices were down 20.8 percent, according to Adobe shopping data. 8. EMBRACE PRICE ADJUSTMENTS One of the fears

about early holiday shopping is that you’ll miss out on bigger sales later. That may be true in some categories, but if you shop at a retailer that will retroactively make price adjustments

if you contact their customer service department when you see prices fall, you’re in the clear, says Brasler. For instance, Apple, Target and Gap will provide price adjustments up to 14 days

after purchase; Best Buy will match prices during the product’s return period, which is typically 15 days. Check the retailer’s policy before trying this strategy.