With the holiday season fast approaching, here are a few tips on how to buy the perfect gifts without breaking the bank!
1. Download money-saving extensions.
Many internet browsers allow for extensions such as Honey, CouponsatCheckout, PriceScout, and InvisibleHand all function in different ways to help you save as much money as possible while shopping online.
2. Secret Santas are the way to go!
Instead of buying individual gifts for all of your friends, use a site like Elfster so you only have to shop for one person! It’s great for groups bigger than four people and saves you a boatload of cash.
3. Keep an eye out for clearance.
A lot of people are so distracted by the 30% of all items sale that they forget to check the clearance racks. Be sure to head to the back of the store and pick up some seriously discounted items and save even more with store-wide sale going on!
4. Set a budget before you go.
If you’re buying individual gifts for all of your friends and family, think about setting a limit for yourself. Even $15 can go a long way in a store like TJ Maxx or Target, so be sure that you’re conscious of your budget before you head out!
5. Ask your friends and family to make a wish list.
My family did this last year and it seriously changed our lives for the better. Instead of buying each other useless tchotchkes, we all actually got the gifts we really wanted. While it can feel a bit weird to put together your wish list, it saves so much money and time. Including links to the products as well as noting the size and color helps save you from those horrible return lines too! Plus, once you know what someone wants, you can get other family members or friends to pitch in for one of the more expensive items.