Cyber Monday shopping

Shopping is one of our favorite pastimes. We adore it because it allows us to indulge and escape from reality.

Every year, millions of customers strive to save money by shopping for themselves or as gifts for others on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving. While Black Friday features bargains on nearly everything, Cyber Monday is meant to be all about electronics. This year’s shopping days will produce hundreds of millions of dollars in sales for retailers while providing considerable discounts to customers. Some retailers offer Christmas specials before Thanksgiving and through December, so don’t limit yourself to the last Friday and Monday in November.

We all want the best bargains on the best gifts for the holidays. It’s crucial to stay safe online while also being a smart shopper.

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Here are some tips for saving money while shopping.

Plan a Budget

Simply stick to your budget during Cyber Monday shopping.

It’s another to figure out what that budget should look like. The Los Angeles Times suggests spending $20 or more on siblings and cousins, $25 or more on nieces and nephews, and $20 or more on parents and in-laws. Of course, there’s a great difference between $25 for a nice new tableware set and $200 (or more) for a new table.

Keep your actual holiday shopping budget modest. No matter how hard you try, you’ll likely overspend. That hurts less when your money allows it.

Use a Comparison Tool

If you’re shopping for something on Cyber Monday, make sure you’re getting the greatest offer.

If you’re buying online, use a price comparison app or toolbar to find the best deals. There are several respectable options, many of which include additional features meant to help buyers save money.

Check consumer blogs and bargain aggregators. To be sure, call the merchant directly, especially if the deal appears to be too good to be true.

Compile Sale Data and Links in a Spreadsheet. You can save a lot of money buying online if you are a spreadsheet fanatic. Create a spreadsheet with site descriptions, product URLs (or examples), price ranges and retailer comparisons, discounts and promotions (including Cyber Monday sales), shipping rules, and other relevant information.

Early Risers or Late Nighters

Every retailer has a 24-hour Cyber Monday sale. Cyber Monday discounts are often preceded by lengthier “cyber weeks” or Black Friday weekend promotions.

If you’re shopping for everyday items, you generally don’t need to get up before 1 a.m. (or stay up till then) to get the greatest deals. If you’re afraid of things being out of stock on Black Friday, you should shop as early as possible.

Inconvenient shopping might also help you find offers you might otherwise overlook. On Cyber Monday, some retailers host hourly discounts, each concentrating on a different dramatically discounted product category. Want a 50% discount on a Sony UHDTV? On Cyber Monday at 3:15 a.m., you might be entering your credit card information. The good news is that most retailers post their hourly shopping lists well before Cyber Monday (and hopefully stock up on sleep).