Have you ever shopped for something only to see it again a few days later at a lower price? To get the absolute best deals on your Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping this year without monitoring the computer 24/7, The Verge says, take advantage of a tech assist. Price-tracking apps and browser extensions can track the prices of your most-wanted items at shopping sites such as Amazon.com, search for discount codes or search commerce sites for a specific item to find the lowest price. And they will notify you of the best deals as they appear, taking most of the legwork — and keystrokes — out of the search.
Tag: saving money
Black Friday Deals Arrived Early This Year
Buying stuff you don’t need is against the principles of the Organizing Blog — cluttered home, cluttered mind, we always say. But if you can get a great deal on something that you or the people on your gift list really need, go ahead and spend! Dozens of national retailers have already launched “Black Friday” sales well ahead of the holiday shopping season’s traditional launch day, USA Today reports, so there is likely something you can check off your shopping list weeks in advance. Shop early, stay organized and stick to a budget for the most stress-free holiday experience.
Make a Few Rainy-Day Goals
Rainy days are not only good for spring cleaning, says WiseBread, they’re good for pursuing larger goals, too. You might choose to start a savings fund, for example, or get to work on an all-encompassing five-year life plan. You might start a new hobby, or revisit an old one. A dreary day can lend itself to writing, so you might make a journal entry or catch up on correspondence. Hungry? Try a new recipe or better still, make a big batch of meals for the days and weeks ahead. Or just sleep, the story says: “If you’re the type of person who’s chronically under-rested, a rainy weekend day is the perfect time to sleep in.”
Make the Most of Black Friday
There are plenty of ways to maximize the savings Black Friday offers, says money-saving site Clark.com. Sign up for e-mail promotions at your favorite retailers before you head out to the stores, for example, and price-check items against the web while in stores. Make a list of the retailers you most want to visit and bring a friend who’s similarly motivated to find deals. But leave the kids at home if you want to do some serious shopping — you don’t need the distractions. Shop early or late to avoid the worst crowds, and above all, remember that not every low price is truly a deal.
Turn to the Thrift for Halloween Decorations
The local thrift store is the first place to look for Halloween decorations, says Social Moms. Sure, you can buy new — but why? Thrifts stocked by donations to ClothingDonations.org often have plenty of fake cobwebs, plastic pumpkin buckets and articulated cardboard skeletons you can use to decorate the home. In addition, you can find spooky plastic tombstones, string lights and other outdoor ornaments. And if you’re planning to have an indoor costume party, you’ll likely find Halloween-themed platters, plates and napkins to use while entertaining.