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I feel like I’m one of the few bloggers that hasn’t written a Holiday Gift Guide (HGG in blogger speak) yet and while I do plan on writing one, maybe even two if I’m feeling fancy, this year I have decided to be a little more frugal than usual and focus more on saving money than spending it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still purchasing holiday gifts but I’m doing it more intentionally and still finding ways to save money while I do it! So today, instead of talking about the uber expensive gifts I want for myself or telling you what you should be buying I’m going to talk to you about 6 ways to save money while shopping during this crazy holiday season!
ONE. Paribus. I only recently discovered this website and it has quickly become a favorite of mine! I randomly signed up for a Paribus account a few months ago and then forgot about it until I got an email from them over the weekend telling me I was potentially going to get some money back from when I purchased these shoes I was just raving about on the blog last Friday. You see, Paribus is a price tracking app that syncs with your email address to scan for receipts and then when it finds a price drop it negotiates with online companies to refund you the difference! You don’t have to give them any of your bank information or anything, just your email address. You can also link up your Amazon account too! How amazing is that??
Paribus doesn’t work with every online store but it has worked with a LOT of the ones I frequent…Nordstrom, Old Navy, Walmart, Target, GAP, etc. It even works with hotel rooms! It honestly doesn’t get any easier than that. Sign up today and start saving money!!
TWO. IBOTTA. One of my favorite apps for saving money, IBOTTA offers cash back on both in-store and mobile purchases via receipt verification/purchase verification. Anytime I go to Target, Walmart or Kroger I hop on the IBOTTA app to see what things have cashback options and if those items are already on my list I add them to “my offers” and then when I’m done shopping I just scan my receipt and I get the cash back in my account. You can then transfer the cash to your PayPal account and then use it or transfer it to your bank!
You can also shop online through the app and get cash back that way too. Most stores have certain percentages as cash back…for example over the weekend Pier 1 had 12% cash back and I purchased the shams that match my new duvet and some bathroom rugs and now I’m just waiting on the purchase to clear (online shopping usually has a 90 day window in case there are returns) and then the cash will appear in your account. It’s pretty genius and one of my fave ways to save some money!! I always forget about getting cash back from my online purchases and when I checked the balance on my account the other day I had $40 waiting on me from online purchases! Also- if you sign up using my link we both get $10!!
THREE. EBATES. Very similar to IBOTTA, with EBATES you can shop online through the site and stores offer you a certain percentage of the purchase in cash back! When I’m shopping online I usually log on to both IBOTTA and EBATES and see who is offering the most cash back and that’s who I shop through.
With EBATES you can also link your debit/credit card and shop in store for a certain percent of cash back as well. If you sign up using my link we both get $10!!
FOUR. DOSH. DOSH is one of the newer apps to use to save money while shopping. With DOSH you link your debit and credit cards to it and use the app to find cash back offers either near you to use in person or you can shop online and earn cash back! I like that you don’t have to shop through the app but you have to run your debit cards as credit, which I usually forget to do. Oops!!
FIVE. RetailMeNot. I have been using RetailMeNot for years to find online promo codes and in-store coupons. It is seriously one of my favorite websites/apps because it has saved me hundreds of dollars!! I recently found out that RMN also has cash back offers and I just signed up to start using them as well!!
SIX. Target Cartwheel. If you love Target as much as I do then you have to us the Target Cartwheel!!! It used to be it’s own separate app but now it’s just a part of the regular Target app. If you are shopping in store you can look up items either by scanning the barcode or using the search bar ad see if there is an extra percentage off! I have saved so much money on things I am already going to buy just buy scanning the barcode before I check out!!
And that’s it friends, the six ways I save money while shopping during the holiday season! I hope maybe you found a new way to save a little dough and then you can treat yo’ self at the same time! YAS!!!
How do you save money during while holiday shopping??
My daughter-in-law loves DOSH. She talked me into signing up but I’ve never actually used it. I need to get much better with using money-saving apps. I always forget to use them so I needed this reminder.
Ebates and Cartwheel are two of my favorite apps/sites to use. I have to get in the hang of using the DOSH app.
YASS! I just learned about Ebates recently and I am LOVING it. I am kicking myself for not checking it out sooner.
Never used Dosh but have used some of the other apps. I am actually done Christmas shopping. All left is wrapping
I have got to try out that Target App because I love the deals I get at target and all their great choices for clothes. It is so important to save a few bucks any way we can this season.
These are awesome tips. I already use ibotta, but I think it’s time to expand my money-saving arsenal. Thanks!
Awesome list. I do use a lot of these. Ebates is one of my favorites. I’ve earned so much money back from them. It probably means I shop too much, but eh ;)
I need to download all these apps! I love the idea of getting money back after the fact if something goes on sale. I am totally doing that.
I NEVER visit Target without checking the Target Cartwheel first. It really helps me save on things I normally buy so I can add some things I don’t typically buy. I need to check out DOSH. I’ve never heard of it.
I’m not much of a bargain shopper but I do check prices. As a frequent Target shopper I need to get on that app.
These are some great money-saving tips. I’ve heard of some of these but I really need to try a bunch of the ones you mentioned here.
I love ibotta. I sometimes forget to use it though. I need to get better about that.
I won’t buy anything online unless I have a coupon code. It must be there! I love your apps. I use a couple but there were new ones out there I hadn’t seen that I will be researching.
I never heard those before. But now it’s time to shop wise and saving money at the same time. Thanks for these great recommendation!
So many ways to save on shopping, and why not each dollar saved is really worth it. DOSH is something new here for me. Hope to give this app a try during the festival season though
I am moderate shoppers and I am thrifty when it comes to it. I like to go shop online using the website that offers cashback . With that it save me some for the sales tax or offers extra savings.
I’m all about saving money and finding good deals. I love ebates and recently discovered Honey to scan for the best discount codes online as well!
You are not alone, I haven’t either. I wasn’t even shopped for the deals during the last cyber deals.
Great tips! I was awful did Christmas super fast this year and didn’t do any savings apps or anything and am now regretting it!
An amazing list I also bought a Samsung Galaxy Edge 7 From Amazone at a very cheap price. One suggestion I want to give if you don’t mind. Always try to get a insurance when you get a used stuff from eBay. Like I paid an additional $15 and got insurance for Two years, ist just amazing!!