While the holiday season is all about generosity and looking out for your fellow man, most of us take these lessons to heart and obliterate our Christmas gift shopping budgets in the process. It doesn’t have to look like that, though! Even now there are still things you can do to help out with the cost of Chrsitmas. When you purchase your gifts online, you are able to make use of coupons from such websites as Savings.com or Discountrue.com and save money on your presents at all the most popular shops, including for example Nordstrom. What’s important, you also give yourself a much wider selection to choose from. Be sure to pay attention to the following tips, so that you can get the most out of a limited budget!
Plan Ahead
Before you decide to head to the Internet and start your Christmas shopping, it is important to have a plan in place. What gifts will you be buying and for whom? Taking the time to think ahead will make your online shopping experience fruitful and will keep you from falling into the trap of making unnecessary purchases. Creating a list of people to buy for and what to spend on each item goes a long way towards helping you stay within your assigned budget.
Utilize Social Media
Following your favorite online retailers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram allows you to gain access to special deals and promotions that are not offered to those who are accustomed to shopping at a traditional brick and mortar outlet. These discounts are offered exclusively to social media followers and they are usually valid for a limited time only. Searching recent posts from preferred retailers can also reveal discount codes that will help you to save as well.
Group Gifts
If you are placed in a situation where you need to exchange presents within a large group of people, the best method for saving money is to shop online and purchase a group gift. For example, employees who are in search of the perfect gift for their boss can use online shopping to save money and go in with their co-workers to bring costs down. This allows you to purchase the best possible gift, without breaking the bank.
Don’t Buy For Yourself
Shopping online can be hazardous to our bank accounts, since we come across so many different deals that are not usually found on a daily basis. Avoiding the temptation to buy yourself a gift keeps you within your budget. But if you are still feeling the itch to shop, just remember one key fact: the items you want will be even cheaper if you just wait until after the holidays.
Be Wary Of Store Cards
Online stores always promise incredible savings to customers who sign up for their cards. But watch out, as they might not always save a significant amount on your initial purchases and their interest rates can be extremely punitive over the long haul. Plus, they also have the side effect of convincing us to spend more than we had originally intended.
What are some of your tips for sticking to a budget whilst Christmas shopping online?
Collaborative post
Sarah says
This is so true, I often will buy for myself if not careful