Tips to Save on Cyber Monday and an Amazon.com Giftcard Giveaway

It’s almost time for the best sales of the year. I don’t participate in Black Friday. I think it is ridiculous, the crowds and the insanity just to save money. I went once and never again. It was not fun to me at all.  I worked at Bath and Bodyworks one year on Black Friday, and I wanted to walk out. I do however like Cyber Monday, because I can save money and shop online in my pajamas. I don’t have to wait in lines or deal with massive amounts of people. I remember the one Black Friday I went shopping the line was at the back of the store. Since I love to save money when I shop online, I thought I would share some ways to save money during Cyber Monday Sales.  That way you can really stretch your bucks and get more.

Shop around. If you want something particular, check out a few different sites. See where you can get the best deals.

Use coupon codes. I always use them when I can when I shop, but there are usually extra special coupon codes for Cyber Monday. I really like Coupons.com Coupon codes because they have a great variety and I don’t have to spend time looking at different sites.

Don’t get sucked in to minimum free shipping deals. If you aren’t planning on buying $50 worth of stuff, don’t buy $50 worth of stuff to save $5 dollars. Spend the amount you are planning and pay shipping if you have to spend a lot more than you planned on.  While you are saving but you have to spend more than you want to save a little.

Avoid impulse buys. Don’t buy something because it is on sale, if you don’t need it or if it’s not on your loved one’s list.  Trust me I have done this before.  Some of those things I have never used.

Stick to your lists. I know that it’s always fun to give some surprises. I used to put on my list to Santa and some surprises, but think if this is something they would really enjoy.

Stick to your budget, don’t go hog wild because it is cheap. All of those cheap purchases add up quickly.  Ever gone to the dollar store and picked out items and next thing you know you owe thirty dollars?  Me too.

You can enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card to help you with your holiday shopping.  Please use the Raffle Copter Form below

 

This Giveaway is provided by Coupons.com

I Used to Work in Child Care.

Before I was a mom, I worked in day cares and preschools.  I remember when there was a holiday or it was Teacher Appreciation week, I would get gifts. Now call me old fashioned but the smile of a young child was enough of a gift to me.  I received all kinds of gifts from homemade cookie jars full of cookies to flowers and an occasional gift card or two. Sometimes, the gift card is for a place I don’t shop at.  I remember receiving a Starbucks gift card at one point and call me crazy but I am not a Starbucks fan.  I just have never been big on Starbucks so really it isn’t my thing. Another time I received a Talbot’s gift card, I have never found anything I was interested in there, their clothes are not my style, I am more of a t-shirt and jeans girl.  I really am grateful for the gifts I receive but sometimes I don’t know what to do with the gift cards. My mom loves Starbucks so I usually hook her up with those we will sometimes do a gift card exchange where she will give me one of her unwanted gift cards, or if a friend has one I can use we trade.

When you can’t find a friend or family member to trade with there are sites online that are happy to help you sell your gift cards. I have seen them on eBay before but I am very leery when it comes to buying things of value on eBay because they could go and spend the balance between your purchase and send you an empty card. Those sites come in handy if you don’t have a bank account and you can’t use PayPal. I remember a time that I wanted to order some clothes from Victoria’s Secret and I had to go to the store and buy a gift card, it was a pain to make an extra trip. I know with a gift card exchange site they work hard to verify the amounts, so you can not only sell your gift card but you can also buy them. 

What is the craziest gift card you have ever received?