7 Holiday Shopping Tricks That Actually Save You Hundreds, From a Consumer Finance Expert
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
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The holidays are upon us, and so are all the “can’t-miss” deals. Everywhere you turn, ads promise reduced prices, holiday specials and one-day-only deals (that suspiciously last a week). It’s hard to know what’s simply designed to get you to spend and what will actually save you money.
Luckily, we’ve gift-wrapped some insights from consumer finance expert Andrea Woroch about the shopping tricks that can rack up meaningful savings during the most wonderful — and most expensive — time of the year.
So get cozy as we unwrap seven holiday shopping hacks that could save you hundreds this season.
1. Use AI To Track Prices and Deals
You do a lot during the holidays — from planning dinner to smoothing over family squabbles — so you probably don’t have time to track whether that one gift your cousin’s kid wants has dropped in price. Woroch says you can relax and let AI be your Santa’s helper. You likely know that AI can help you identify the best gifts for everyone on your list, but Woroch suggests you can also rely on it to find deals in seconds.
“Google Gemini can help you hunt down deals quickly, while Amazon’s Rufus tool breaks down price history to help you make better buying decisions,” she said. “Even some retailers like Target are integrating AI, saying that you can shop their deals directly in ChatGPT, enabling guests to get personalized recommendations and build full baskets seamlessly.”
2. Think Beyond Traditional Retail
For decades, going back to when you shopped with your own parents and grandparents, you may never have imagined going anywhere except a traditional retail outlet. Anything else might feel like leaving a carrot smoothie for Santa Claus. But Woroch encourages you to think beyond regular retail for the best deals — turning to consignment stores or platforms like Poshmark to find everything from toys to sporting goods, refurbished tech and small kitchen appliances. This approach could help you save up to 80% off regular retail, she says.
“Look for brand-new items at consignment stores to save on name-brand fashion or even online via Poshmark; consider certified refurbished electronics or small kitchen appliances for up to 60% savings, but stick with reputable retailers to obtain a warranty with purchase,” she said. “Shop direct-to-consumer liquidity sites such as Secondipity to save up to 50% off toys, electronics and home goods.”
3. Leverage Price-Match and Flexible Return Policies
Woroch also advises shopping at stores with flexible return and price-match policies that can help you save money over time. She suggests focusing on retailers that offer generous price-match guarantees, citing Target’s Holiday Price Match Guarantee as one example. But big-box retailers aren’t the only places with worthwhile return options.
“This is also important for those smaller online sites or social media purchases because you could get stuck with items you don’t like but can’t return,” she said. “You’re better off shopping at stores with nearby retail locations for easy exchanges as well.”
4. Create a Plan and Track Your Spending
Even Santa has a list, and you’d be wise to follow suit when deciding which expenditures are naughty and nice. To curb impulse purchases, Woroch says you should create a clear plan for your purchases and track your spending. Technology makes this easier than ever — and Santa probably uses an app these days, too.
“Get your gifting game plan in order and use a gift-tracking app like Santa’s Bag to track purchases and monitor spending,” she said.
5. Resist the Urge To Spend More To Save More
The holidays are a time of indulgence, from that extra glass of eggnog to driving out of town to see the ultimate light display. Holiday deals that encourage you to buy more items to “save more” — like “buy two, get one free” — can make temptation even harder to resist.
“Spending more to save more can get you into a tricky situation. Only spend more if the bundle has something you need,” said Woroch. “Watch out for tiered deals that influence you to buy more. You’re spending more than you planned in the long run, so stick to your budget.”
You should also watch out for retailers’ promises that adding more to your cart will help you qualify for free shipping, which Woroch calls a recipe for overspending.
“Only add more if the item covers the cost of shipping. Otherwise, choose curbside pickup or sign up for loyalty reward programs that may offer free shipping both ways,” she said. “You can also take advantage of free trials for those paid retail shipping programs that offer free same-day delivery or two-day shipping — trials could get you through the holidays without paying for the actual program.”
6. Make Sure the Deal Is Actually a Deal
Naturally, you don’t want to think anyone would risk the naughty list by misleading customers about whether they’re actually getting a deal. Unfortunately, some retailers temporarily inflate prices and then reduce them to make discounts seem more impressive — a real coal-in-the-stocking move. But you can avoid being duped by doing your due diligence.
“Don’t get duped into a phony deal in which prices were inflated to make a deal look better than it is — shop smarter by checking historical pricing data using CamelCamelCamel or Amazon’s Rufus AI tool,” said Woroch.
7. Use Cash-Back Cards Instead of Store Credit Cards
Woroch acknowledges that applying for store credit cards that come with extra discounts can be tempting, but they can trap you into spending more or paying steep fees. Instead, she recommends swapping store-specific cards for a general cash-back credit card that offers rewards across a wide range of stores.
“Some may also give you free cash when you spend a certain amount within the first few months of account opening, like $200 back when you spend $500 — and that can help pay off your purchases,” she said.
Wrapping It Up
Some old chestnuts of shopping habits need to be roasted on the open fire of smarter spending and saving. According to Andrea Woroch, letting go of old beliefs and getting flexible and creative is the best way to ensure that your bank account also enjoys a holly-jolly holiday full of green.
Need a little extra holiday magic in your budget? MoneyLion is giving away $2,000 a day for 50 days starting Dec. 5 — a real way to breathe a little easier this season. Sign up and see if this festive windfall lands under your tree.
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