I hate errands and I really despise holiday shopping in crowds. So I shop online. Feel free to use these resources to find the best deals when holiday shopping online.

Start using Promo Codes

A great way to save money online any day of the week is to use a promo code. Promo codes entitle you to discounts that you would not otherwise receive. Sites like Savings.com and Retailmenot have listings of promo codes and coupon codes that you can use at just about any major retailer online. Some promo codes will give you a discount off of the purchase price while others will give you free shipping. You can even determine the effectiveness of the promo code by looking at the success rate. This is a rating by other users that have used the code to save money.

I would suggest shopping as you normally do to find a good deal. Then search for a promo code before you check out. That way you are buying what you would have anyway but if you find a promo code that works, yay for some extra savings!

Shop on Deal of the Day Sites

Groupon is one of the most popular websites on the Internet because of its deal-of-the-day format. There are lots of these websites that will give you bigger discounts off of the items ordered than you can get anywhere else. Sites like these strike deals with retailers to offer below average pricing to site visitors. You can usually find a buy one get one free deal any day of the week or save as much as 70 percent if you find a deal that fits for you.

But remember not to simply buy something because it is on sale. Always ask yourself if the deal is for something you already had in mind. If it isn’t, than don’t waste your time or money on things you don’t need or want.

Shop the Day After a Holiday

The best deals of the season are often found the day after a holiday. You can find great deals on Black Friday and the day after Christmas. Retailers typically slash prices dramatically in order to sell their excess inventory. You can get some great deals online from Halloween through New Year’s. You can use these discounts to your advantage.

I don’t shop for gifts way in advance, but Black Friday and the whole week after is just awesome for online shoppers like me. I was able to get the items I had in mind for nearly half the price that they were listed at just a few weeks earlier.

Use Online Apps

Online apps like CouponSherpa and Google Shopper can save you a lot of money shopping. You can do price comparisons, read product reviews, and get instant coupon delivery. This way you can save money whether shopping from the couch or from the car or at the store itself.

How do you find the best deals when holiday shopping online?

Crystal

Crystal

Crystal Stemberger uses Budgeting in the Fun Stuff to write about finding the balance between paying your bills, saving for your future, and budgeting in the fun stuff along the way.