21 engineering tricks to make less miserable holiday shopping

Turn the most difficult selling season of the year in a breeze.


"Holiday Shopping." Admit it: just see these two more grouped words was like having an anxiety bolt sent directly through your heart. Ok, well, maybe it's abit spectacular. But the truth is that it does not matter if you scroll Amazon since the comfort of your bed or fight the hosts of the shopping center, playing Santa for loved ones is never as simple - or as simple as you I was hoping that it would be.

But do not be afraid, a kind friend! We are here to help.

From the retail sales navigation as a pro to locate the best online offers, which follow the best tips and tricks you can use to shop of your vacation a total treatment and not a miserable slog. Who knows? Maybe you will finish so fast you will have free time and your money to offer you. And for more ways to improve your vacation purchases, check these17 Dirty secret retailers do not want you to know the black Friday.

1
Use social media to your advantage.

jealous wife
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Do you already want it difficult to shop for a relative justRecount you exactly what they want? Well, maybe they already have. Of course, no healthy human being is one of Santa's wish list as Facebook status. But there is a trick that can hit you in their desires. Start by jumping on Instagram. Discover their list of followers. If you spot brands,boom: You have just understood where to start shopping.And if you are always stressed for the holidays, here's here17 Top tips of psychologists to cope with the stress of holidays.

2
Mark free shipping day in your calendar.

Mailman
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It's a little known "holiday", but, in case you did not know, on December 14 marks free shipping day 2018. More than 1,000 retailers - including the Republic of Bananas, GNC and Williams-Sonoma- Banded together to offer a free expedition all day. (They also offer coupons, so be sure to checkThe official list For maximum savings.) Fun: Since its creation in 2008, the day has helped consumers save more than a billion collective dollars!

3
Take full advantage of Amazon Prime.

Amazon logo
Image via Wikimedia Commons

If you already buy with Amazon, but you have not registered yet for the first one, the holidays are, Ahem, the great hour to do it. You benefit from a free two-day expedition plus the possibility of gaining reductions or rewards if you are on the ball and you have time to choose the navigation option without preparation. (Oh, and you also have access to Streaming Amazon Streaming Amazon Streaming Crimely Streaming, where you can take the latest movies and TV shows, as well as the incredible original Amazon series, likePatriot andThe wonderful Mme Maisel.)

Fees are $ 119 a year ($ 59 for students). But, given the whole dough you will save on the expedition throughout your holiday shops, you will do it in no time. And if you are looking forgift ideas of the site, check these27 Amazing "Notions of Amazon" to add to your wish list.

4
Trust Google's gods.

google maps

To help buyers fight vacation traffic, Google Map engineers have published a cool and data-oriented siteThanksgiving mapping. They shot from the 2017 holiday season to determine what people go to and when, and used that to inform buyers in the best way to stay at home - and the best way to Hit the road.

5
Keep your gift receipts tidy.

commonly misspelled words
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These days, most retailers - whether online or brick-mortar, will offer the opportunity to send you emails. Yet you could find yourself with good ole paper versions. If this is the case, make sure to keep things organized using a receipt scanning serviceAsCared for. In this way, if the real thing becomes misplaced or lost or accidentally thrown into the paper envelope fire, you will be able to follow it in no time.

Let's not forget the fact that, based on gift recipes, it's a way to surreptitiously to donate money. Just buy a gift that your loved one goesobviouslyreturn (flannel pajamas!).

6
Ask for a free package.

Wrapping paper rolls

Shopping might not be fun. But nothing is worse than packing gifts, especially if you are terribly terrible. Fortunately, many shops - including big shamers like Bed Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble, and Pottery Barn-offer free or cheap gift packaging services on site. (Amazon also has a "packaging" service, although it is certainly subparement. Even your worst packing attempt is probably better than their best.)And others, like Gap, Republic of Banana and Sephora, give you the supplies so you do not have to buy yours.All you have to do is ask.

7
Use a list manufacturing application.

woman on phone
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When it comes to all the madness affiliated with the holidays, make a list (and checking it twice) can quickly become a reflection afterwards. So let your phone lend a careful hand. By using a gift list application, you can keep track of your entire shopping business. We likeSanta bag, What has extraordinarily detailed gift options: you can create lists (obviously), but also track budgets and monitor all your gifts ordered between retailers. In addition, it comes with a neat-to-Christmas countdown.

8
Do not forget to sleep on the Big-Box retailer.

costco

When it comes to note the best savings, online retailers tend to dominate the game and center the market. But sometimes, just do not break the price of the rocky bottom of Big-box retailers like Costco and Sam's Club.Before spring for something on Amazon, check the prices of your local club. More often than no, you will find cheaper prices and a more robust return policy.

Not a member? Do not worry: Just ask a family around the family, friends, neighbors, pages of the Facebook community - and see if there is someone who will let you tag the next purchase trip .And to get the most out of your Costco Spree, learn these30 incredible secrets COSTCO leaders do not want you to know.

9
Beeline at the back of the store.

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Yes, it is tempting to stay at the front of any brick and mortar mortar. After all, this is where new shiny purchases are stored. But if you head to the back, you will probably meet the sales rack, fewer crowds and the latest vestiges of products almost exhausted. The head at the front of the store last - this kind of thing is not going anywhere.

10
Messaging packages before mid-December.

Mailman

Yes, during the holidays, the time slips like a sled with an icy hill; It's easy to get caught in the preparation of gifts and forget about actually you know,gift. If you ship gifts to distant parents, make sure everything is packaged and on the door byDecember 14. It's theDeadline USPS For the Gift Floor Shipping Holidays this year-if you want them to arrive before December 25, that is to say. (If you are ready to deviate from the first class or priority mail, however, that deadline becomesDecember 20.)

11
Make the most of the "holidays".

black friday
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Yes, Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday are annoying "holidays", manufactured by marketing ". But if you are looking for specific products, and if you participate in a plan of attack, you can often go with great offers . Black Friday has always been an ideal day to pick up toys, televisions and electronic products, while Cyber ​​Monday often offers serious shutters on clothes, shoes and accessories. And Learn whatnot Buy, read onBlack Friday offers that are totally worth it.

12
Get the store app.

save money on clothes
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Before coming out the door of a shopping and mortar shop, make sure to download all the applications of each store you plan visiting. "But", you cry, "my memory!" Everything will be alright. They are usually only about 150 MO-and you can (and should!)Just delete them once you're done. Often, the application of a retailer will offer special offers, sales and coupons that are not available online or even in store.

13
Create a shopping email.

email
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Some people refuse to register for brand loyalty programs because they do not want to give personal information to a company. Others refuse because they do not want to be flooded with spam. And still others register - but miss or delete each incoming retailer email.

There is a workaround solution to all this, however: simply create a separate email specifically for retailers. In this way, you do not replace personal information, you do not get spam and you know exactly where to find every sales sale and discount code. And for more ways to get the most out of your inbox (ES), here's17 Genius email hacks that will improve your life.

14
Automate your coupons.

retail me not holiday tricks

The use of coupons does not mean too much whipping a kilometer receipt or a cataloging of exclamation point coal emails. Try instead to use a coupon organization application.Darling, in particular, is useful - especially when it comes to shopping online. It will browse the web automatically and, if you check, this will apply all existing reduction codes.

15
Receive refunds.

paribus app

There is no feeling worse than deforming on a high dollar article (or even a moderately price at this case) after doing all the research and waiting for the right moment to buy, then See it sell even less than a few days later. With applications likeParibusandSensitiveHowever, you can live a life without this feeling of stomach with the chick. Both follow your purchases and, if something feels a steep price drop after you bought, you will ask for the difference refunded for you.

16
Do not shop early.

black friday secrets
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Of course, people who get all their vacation purchases finished early in October and early November-can have all their ducks in a row. But, admirable like these people, many probably miss a few good deals: most companies do not reveal the best discount until the season is full. As such, experts say that the best shopping period is the magical period between November 19th and December 20th.

17
Use cash background cards.

close up shot of a silver credit card
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When you go to your annual purchase spree during the holidays, do not make the fork on your triple dive in your credit card. For the best reward programs, consult cards likeCiti Double Cash,Chase freedom, andFidelity Rewards Visa Signature. Many offer 1 to 5% cash back on purchases.

18
Check the best prices.

news app millennials
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Do not always assume the first product you've monitored on the first retailer you visit will have the best price. Before hitting the purchase button, check out the applications asCAMELCAMELCAMEL-A free Amazon price tracker that helps Identity prices at the Amazon ecosystem - orPricejump, Which allows you to scan in store bar codes to compare prices through brands during your purchases in nature.

19
Consider the electronics used.

kid on tablet, entertained, family
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You may be inclined to leave you your nose to the used electronics or to renovate. But the truth is that used gadgets are often the most expensive gadgets - and without a lower quality either. In fact, if it's video game consoles you are looking for, you can find renovated templates for crazy discounts. For example, a renovated Playstation 4-which usually sells to $ 399.sells on Gamestop For only $ 269.

20
Trust the experts

save money on clothes
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When shopping online, do not rely solely on customer feedback to taste it in the spring for an article, especially if it is expensive. Check the sites that use experts to write in-depth reviews that are not biased. To tryWire cutterfor its exhaustive quantity of recommendations (electronics to household goods) orGood Housekeeping, whose editors are the experts of everything you would like to have at home at home.

21
Get a gift.

gift boxes against a red background
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Each holiday season, you should make fools on ajust one-Gift for yourself. You deserve it. And if you need ideas on what to buy, see these50 gifts so great that you will want to buy them for yourself.

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