Shopping for the holidays or special events can be stressful—and expensive. But what if you could snag the best deals without breaking the bank? With the right strategies, you can save hundreds of dollars on gifts, decorations, and more.
In this article, we’ll share 10 tips to hunt for the best deals on retail websites and reveal the best times to shop before major events like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other celebrations. Let’s get started!
10 Tips to Hunt for the Best Deals Online
1. Sign Up for Retailer Newsletters
Why It Works: Many retailers offer exclusive discounts to newsletter subscribers.
How to Do It:
Subscribe to newsletters from your favorite stores.
Look for welcome discounts (often 10–20% off your first purchase).
2. Use Price Comparison Tools
Why It Works: These tools help you find the lowest price for a product.
How to Do It:
Use websites like Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, or CamelCamelCamel.
Compare prices across multiple retailers before buying.
3. Set Price Alerts
Why It Works: You’ll be notified when prices drop on items you want.
How to Do It:
Use tools like Honey or Keepa to track prices on Amazon.
Set alerts for specific products and wait for the price to drop.
4. Stack Coupons and Discounts
Why It Works: Combining multiple discounts can lead to huge savings.
How to Do It:
Use browser extensions like Honey or Rakuten to find and apply coupons.
Combine store coupons with cashback offers for maximum savings.
5. Shop During Flash Sales
Why It Works: Flash sales offer deep discounts for a limited time.
How to Do It:
Follow your favorite retailers on social media to stay updated.
Act quickly—flash sales often sell out fast.
6. Take Advantage of Free Shipping
Why It Works: Free shipping can save you a significant amount.
How to Do It:
Look for retailers offering free shipping promotions.
Use websites like FreeShipping.org to find deals.
7. Use Cashback Apps
Why It Works: You earn money back on every purchase.
How to Do It:
Sign up for apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, or Fetch Rewards.
Shop through the app to earn cashback on your purchases.
8. Check Out Clearance Sections
Why It Works: Clearance items are often heavily discounted.
How to Do It:
Browse the clearance section of your favorite retailers.
Look for hidden gems that are still high-quality.
9. Shop Early for Holiday Deals
Why It Works: Retailers often offer early-bird discounts.
How to Do It:
Start shopping for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving in October.
Take advantage of pre-holiday sales like Black Friday in July.
10. Follow Deal Websites and Forums
Why It Works: These platforms share the latest deals and discounts.
How to Do It:
Follow websites like Slickdeals, DealNews, or RetailMeNot.
Join online forums or Facebook groups dedicated to deal hunting.
Best Times to Shop Before Major Events
1. Christmas
Best Time to Shop: October to early November.
Why: Retailers offer early-bird discounts, and you’ll avoid last-minute price hikes.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals in November.
2. Thanksgiving
Best Time to Shop: Early November.
Why: Grocery stores often offer discounts on turkeys and sides a week or two before Thanksgiving.
Pro Tip: Use cashback apps for additional savings on groceries.
3. Back-to-School
Best Time to Shop: Mid-July to early August.
Why: Retailers offer deep discounts on school supplies, clothing, and electronics.
Pro Tip: Look for tax-free weekends in your state.
4. Valentine’s Day
Best Time to Shop: Early January.
Why: Retailers offer discounts on chocolates, flowers, and gifts in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Pro Tip: Avoid last-minute purchases, as prices often spike closer to the date.
5. Halloween
Best Time to Shop: Early September.
Why: Costumes and decorations are often discounted in September.
Pro Tip: Check out post-Halloween sales for even bigger discounts.
Hunting for the best deals online doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these 10 tips and shopping at the best times before major events, you can save hundreds of dollars and make your holidays even more special.
Want more tips? Sign up for the SavvyShoppingHacks Newsletter to get exclusive shopping hacks and deals delivered straight to your inbox. Happy deal hunting!