How To Shop Like the Rich During the Holidays… On a Budget
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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Shopping like the rich is what everyone dreams of — especially during the holidays. But it doesn’t have to drain your bank account. You can still get the benefits of shopping like the wealthy without incurring debt.
“I’ve seen countless clients transform their holiday shopping experience by adopting wealthy shopping habits without breaking their budget,” said Abid Salahi, finance expert and co-founder of FinlyWealth. “The real power lies in knowing when and where to shop, not how much you can spend.”
Below, experts share their top strategies for shopping like the rich on an average income.
Master the Art of Strategic Timing
“I tell my clients that timing is everything in luxury shopping,” said Salahi.
Through years of tracking price patterns, he said he’s found that buying premium items during off-peak seasons can save 40%-60% off retail prices. “For example, I recently helped a client purchase a $2,000 designer winter coat for just $800 by shopping in March.”
He said the same principle applies across all luxury categories — jewelry, watches and premium electronics follow predictable price cycles.
Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and owner of Fluent in Finance, agreed that timing is everything. “Shop end-of-season sales for next year. Those fancy Christmas decorations? They’re like 75% off on Dec. 26!”
He also recommended using price tracking tools, like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon. “You can see when prices drop on high-end items.”
Access Hidden Luxury Channels
According to Salahi, most people don’t realize that nearly every luxury brand operates exclusive outlet channels.
“These aren’t your typical outlet stores,” he explained. “They’re invitation-only shopping destinations with 60%-80% below retail prices.”
He advises clients to sign up for email lists and download apps from their favorite luxury brands. “Last month, one of my clients received access to a private Gucci sale where prices were marked down 70%.”
Try Strategic Credit Card Stacking
“This is where my expertise in credit card optimization comes into play,” said Salahi.
He teaches clients to combine store cards with cash-back cards during major sales events.
“For instance, using a store card (20% off) with a premium rewards card (5% cash back) during a sale event (25% off) can create effective discounts of up to 50% on luxury purchases,” he explained. “Plus, you’re building points for future shopping.”
Just make sure you don’t put more on credit than you can pay off before the interest starts building up.
Bargain Hunt Like a Boss
“Start by checking outlet malls and online outlet stores for luxury brands at steep discounts,” said Lokenauth. “I think these places often have amazing deals — like 50%-70% off designer stuff, and nobody has to know you got it there!”
For this, he again said to time your shopping strategically. “The best deals usually pop up right after Thanksgiving and about two weeks before Christmas — when stores get desperate to clear inventory.”
Seek Out Designer Alternatives
Lokenauth recommended finding “dupes,” or look-alikes of expensive items.
“You know those $500 designer boots? There’s probably a $50 version that looks just as good — and honestly, most people can’t tell the difference,” he said.
Utilize Online Shopping Tricks
Experts also advise comparing prices using apps and browser extensions.
“Honey and Capital One Shopping can find better prices and coupons automatically,” said Lokenauth. “It’s like having a personal bargain hunter!”
He also suggested signing up for luxury store email lists. “They’ll send you special discounts and early sale notifications. Just try not to get tempted by every email!”
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