FESTIVE FRUGALITY

It is the festive season, the silly season and, ultimately… the discount and savings season! With fierce competition between retailers all vying for your attention and more importantly your cash, now is the opportune time to shop smart and take advantage of special offers and sales without breaking the bank.

To make the most of this festive savings period you need to be aware of what deals are currently available. Browse the catalogs available at store entrances, pamphlets that slip from the newspaper covers or flyers that land in your letterbox. Keep an eye out for two for one specials, buy two get one free and bulk discounts - buying the same gift for more than one person is not a crime (and neither is giving a gift that you also treat yourself to!).

Finding great savings online has never been easier. Cost comparisons, product ratings and customer reviews are all presented to you in the comfort of your own home (avoiding that chaos at the mall). Online shopping is booming and there are sometimes better deals on the website than you would get offered in-store and, in some cases, free shipping too!

The internet provides you with all of the information required to make an informed decision and there can often be extra discounts if you spend a specified amount on one site or sign up for their newsletter. Just make sure that there is sufficient time for the delivery.

Remember - just because it’s discounted doesn’t mean it’s a bargain. There are websites such as CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) that track a product’s price history so you can visually see if the product has sold for less in the past.

In short; shop around to get the best deals, take advantage of special offers, but most of all try to keep your sanity in this bustling economic throng.