How To Score Amazing Deals Leading Into The Holidays

Delayed shipping, lack of inventory, and hefty credit card bills are common complaints during an otherwise festive season. But shopping early can help you avoid all that unnecessary stress messing with your merriment. With a go-getter mindset—and solutions offered by PayPal—you could save money, help manage your budget, and score the best deals ahead of the upcoming festivities.

Use PayPal Honey to Automatically Find Cash Back Offers and Coupons

If you’re an online shopper, savings are simplified with PayPal Honey. Instead of having to scour the internet for deals, this free browser extension for mobile and desktop helps discover coupons you might have otherwise missed and applies them automatically at checkout. The must-have tool also helps you find cash back offers on eligible purchases so you can save more when you spend. From holiday gifts, decorations, and whatever stuffs stockings, trims trees, and brings joy to your friends’ faces, install it now to start saving for all your holiday shopping.

Buy Online, Then Pick Up in Store

Eliminate out-of-budget impulse buys by shopping online, then picking up in store. This way, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your cart total as you shop and remove items if you’re going to overspend. What’s more, you can avoid shipping costs, delayed delivery times and postal mix-ups, all while taking advantage of in-store gift wrapping. Bonus: Some retailers and grocery stores offer extra deals or special digital coupons when you use their pickup and delivery services.

Sign Up for Retailers’ Newsletters to Get First-Time Discounts

Whether you’re shopping for apparel or joining a new fitness studio, be sure to take advantage of new customer offers. When you visit a retailer’s webpage for the first time, it’ll often prompt you to sign up for a newsletter or opt into text message alerts to help you snag some savings. Do it! You can use the discount on a purchase now or just stay informed about their sales and promotions in the future.

Hit the Online Outlets

Everyone knows you can snag name-brand merchandise at discounted prices when you shop at outlet stores, which usually sell overstock and out-of-season products. But did you know many high-end brands have online outlet sites—so you can snag insane deals without even leaving your couch? Think: Last season’s cycling sneakers for your sister and a handbag in a classic silhouette for Mom.

Use Reverse Image Search to Search For Better Prices or Affordable Dupes

Do you ever fall in love with something only to realize it’s out of budget? Here’s a hot tip: screenshot the item then use reverse image search to comparison shop to find the same piece from an alternate retailer — you might find it at a different price point or on sale. Many retailers nowadays even sell dupes of trendy or highly sought-after clothes, bags and jewelry – which makes finding fabulous gifts easier on your wallet.

Follow Brands You Love on Social Media

In addition to signing up for newsletters and text alerts, keep an eye out for sales, new products, contests, and giveaway opportunities by following your favorite brands and retailers on social media. Some brands even sneak follower-exclusive discount codes into their posts to reward their loyal squad. Since social channels are often the easiest way to reach a brand, you can also keep in touch when you have a question about sizing or a customer service issue that needs to be resolved ahead of the holidays.

Consider Buying Refurbished Tech

Shopping pre-owned, refurbished, or open-box options is a smart way to save money on pricier electronics such as computers, tablets, video games, and TVs. Simply type “pre-owned” or “refurbished” in front of the device name in your search engine, and you’ll find tons of options at a much lower price from reputable retailers. And remember, even if you’ve locked in a fab deal, don’t feel obligated to pay for everything all at once. Pay Later options from PayPal give you more flexibility by allowing you to break the payments up over weeks or even months. For purchases of $30-$1,500 (like a new fitness tracker for your partner), you can select Pay in 4 and break the cost into four interest-free payments with the first payment due at time of purchase. With larger gifts that fall into the $199-$10,000 price range (i.e. a home theater setup for the living room), try Pay Monthly and you can break up the payments over a longer period of time. Flexible payment plans mean you can confidently—and merrily—shop for everyone on your list without falling behind on your expenses before the holidays really hit.

To see a full range of offers on fall favorites, visit: PayPal Current Offers.

1.Eligible items only. Redeem points for cash and other rewards. Requires account with PayPal in good standing. Terms and exclusions apply.