We're just days away from two of the biggest shopping days of the year... Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Since Cyber Monday debuted 5 years ago, it's become one of the hottest days to shop. A lot of people don't like fighting the crowds, so they shop online instead. Here are some tips to find those great deals with a click of a mouse.
Several web sites track the latest deals, including cybermonday.com and cybermondayonlinedeals.com. But before you buy, be sure you have a game plan to save money. According to Bankrate.com the strategies include:
- Pay attention to extra costs. Shipping, handling and taxes can easily double the cost of an inexpensive holiday gift.
- Don't get sidetracked by things you don't need. You won't save money buying stuff you'll never use.
- Use the wisdom of crowds. Check out bargain message boards like Slickdeals.net and FatWallet.com. Sometimes posters will comment that there's a better deal for a product at another site or how to get an additional 10% off.
By one estimate, online shoppers spent about $900 million on Cyber Monday last year. And there's no indication it'll be any less this year. If you're one of those shoppers, make sure you have a plan of attack to save money.