If in store shopping really isn’t your thing or if you slept through Black Friday this year, have no fear. More deals on their way in the form of what’s called Cyber Monday. Although, many online retailers offer deals all week long. However, like any other sale, you need to be careful. The enticement of deep discounts can cause all of us to fall prey to flashy marketing and even scams. Keeping in mind all of the other methods I constantly encourage you to use any day of the year (budgeting, smart list making, using filters to only see what you can afford, etc.), here are a few Cyber Monday specific tips to keep your budget in shape.
Shop Safely
It’s so much easier to fall prey to malicious scammers than we realize. Of primary concern is making sure you’re on a legitimate website. Be sure to look for the small lock in the URL line. Be suspicious of websites that seem too good to be true. Read multiple reviews for products. Confirm the contact information when things look suspicious. And above all else check your accounts to make sure you can dispute any false charges. Stay on the lookout for sites that look like a familiar retailer but have extra letters or words added in.
Take Immediate Action
If you have the unfortunate experience of buying from a scammer or being mischarged, be sure that you take action immediately to rectify the situation. When necessary, shut down accounts or file appropriate complaints. Again, you’ll only know of a faulty charge if you’re paying close attention to all of your accounts. Getting great deals online doesn’t matter a bit if you end up losing more money than you save.
Use Curbside and Ship to Store Options
For online retailers that have a brick and mortar counterpart, this may be a good year to consider using the ship to store or curbside option. You may be able to pick up your items as soon as the day you order plus you’ll likely save on extra shipping expense. And because of the shipping delays, you may very well get things on a more reliable timeline.
Don’t Expect Coupons to Automatically Apply & Stack
Even if a website has coupons right on it and you don’t have to go hunting for them, don’t expect them to automatically be applied to your cart. Look for the coupon section of the website and apply codes before you even begin shopping if possible. And don’t forget that some retailers allow you to stack coupons so that you can use more than one code at a time (Kohl’s is a biggie on this one but there are others, too). For other codes, check sites like Rakuten or RetailMeNot.
Don’t Forget the Cash Back Site
On Black Friday, cashback site Rakuten offered as much as 12% back on specific retailers. Plus you’ll find all the coupons for that particular retailer in their portal. And you’ll be certain you’re landing on a safe site. It’s worth taking that extra step for a little extra cash and peace of mind.
Don’t Forget to Look Local
Many of your favorite local Brick and Mortar stores also have an online presence. From gift cards to handmade goods, you can likely score a great deal on Cyber Monday for your favs and pick them up in store. Double check their Facebook page for any additional coupon codes or ways to save.
Open a Live Chat
Not able to find a coupon code? Open a live chat and ask if there’s one available that you’ve missed. There might not be any out there, but the customer service rep might have special codes available to those who ask kindly.
Last but not certainly least, it’s a good idea to set a timer when shopping online. You can easily get caught in a never ending rabbit hole of clicking and come out completely empty handed. Cyber Monday can be a great way to score holiday gifts and the things you need; however don’t waste a day of your life aimlessly clicking around.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
