Thrifty Thinking: Ibotta's Shopping Tips

1. Plan ahead.  Create a list of whom you’ll be shopping for this holiday season and what you think they’ll want so you can scope rebates, coupons, and deals for those items over the next few months.
2. Make a budget.  Once you’ve made your list, decide how much you ideally want to spend per person, and stay within that range. If you also start your shopping early, you won’t spend a huge chunk of change at once.
3. Do your research.  Return policies are sometimes amended for holiday specials, so be sure to read the fine print and scope store websites prior to purchasing. Stores will also sometimes give gifts or add-ons for those customers who take advantage of certain deals, so be sure to keep an eye out.
4. Check product reviews.  Sometimes products are more expensive for a reason. You might find a compact camera that’s a crazy good deal, but if multiple online reviews say that it takes lousy pictures, then what’s the point? The quality and features of some products warrant spending a little more money.
5. Download shopping apps.  Popular retailers usually have exclusive deals for those who have downloaded their apps, so be sure to prep ahead of time. Target’s Cartwheel app and Ibotta are two of the best for additional discounts.
6. Use the buddy system.  Tackle holiday crowds with pals, and take advantage of 2-for-1 deals. You can also utilize the extra bodies to help navigate stores more quickly. Both need new stereo systems and that discounted pair of heels? Send one friend to Electronics while you head to Apparel.
7. Follow brands and retailers on social media and sign up for their newsletters.  Offering exclusive deals to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram followers, and subscribers of e-blasts, has become a common practice for many brands, so start following your favorites and subscribing now to be in the know.