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The Best Cyber Monday Shopping Strategies

Cyber Monday is just around the corner! ‘Tis the season for unbeatable sales, the best deals of the year and of course, online shopping in your pajamas. Cyber Monday is a fairly recent construct that originated about 10 years ago after market research determined that the Monday following Thanksgiving was one of the most popular online shopping days of the year. Maneuvering through the incredible array of Cyber Monday sales can be a bit overwhelming without the perfect online shopping plan in place. Never fear! We want to make sure this Cyber Monday is your best yet. So, kick off your holiday shopping season right and check out some of our favorite tips for saving big this Cyber Monday!

1. Have a Game Plan: Before the Cyber Monday deals even start, you need a basic blueprint of who, what and where. Create a comprehensive list of what you want to buy, whether you’re looking to treat yourself or stock up on Christmas gifts for the whole family. Keep track of who you’re shopping for, their top gift ideas and which websites you want to visit. You can use an Excel, type notes in your phone or kick it old school and scribble it down in a notebook. No matter your plan, a clear list will help you stay focused so you don’t get distracted by all the bright and shiny Cyber Monday sales. Side note, don’t limit yourself to just buying holiday gifts. If you see an unbeatable birthday gift for a friend or family member, why not grab it now and save it for later?

2. Know Your Stuff: In order to get the best Cyber Monday deals, you’ll need to do a little research. Do some browsing at your favorite retailers to determine where you’ll find the best online shopping sales on everything from discount electronics to clothes for the whole family. Set yourself apart from amateur online shoppers and be sure to visit Ebates for quick and easy access on Cyber Monday morning. Remember, Cyber Monday is one of the most popular online shopping days of the year, so deals run out fast and furiously. Refer back to your bookmarks throughout the day to stay up to date on the latest and greatest promotions. A little pre-planning is all it takes to take Cyber Monday by storm!

3. Be a Social Butterfly: Scoring the ultimate deal of the day at your favorite retailer means you may need to be in the know regarding their Cyber Monday plans. Start liking your favorite online shopping sites on social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get their latest sale announcements and exclusive insider access to any Cyber Monday specials. Be sure to sign up for emails and newsletters for easy access to Cyber Monday news delivered directly to your inbox. Go one step further and create a Cyber Monday folder in your email inbox for super speedy reference if needed.

4. Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe – Comparison Shop ‘Til You Drop: Thankfully, online shopping means you have the freedom to go from here to there in seconds. Keep multiple tabs open in your web browser to quickly compare like items from different retailers to get the best prices. That TV you’ve had your eye on just might be significantly cheaper just a click away, so don’t be afraid to play favorites.

5. Promo Codes Are Your Friend: Take advantage of extra savings thanks to essentials like promo codes, coupon codes and even Cash Back at Ebates. From free shipping offers to an additional percentage off your purchase, retailers may feature more ways to boost Cyber Monday savings so be sure to keep an eye out.

6. Be a Team Player: If you’re online shopping for a number of people, you might consider dividing and conquering your game plan with a trusty family member. Teaming up will help you get the best Cyber Monday deals faster to ensure you don’t miss out. You can divide your list by person or category to knock it out in no time flat.

7. Budget Like Nobody’s Business: We totally get it. All those Cyber Monday deals are super tempting. But, there’s nothing worse than blowing your budget on things you really don’t need. So, keep yourself in check by picking a number and sticking to it. Consider setting aside a little bit of holiday shopping money every month so you’ll have your budget locked when Cyber Monday rolls around. That’ll soften the blow to your overall budget since you already knew it was coming.

8. Chill Out: Just remember that everyone and their dogs are online shopping for the best Cyber Monday sales. Sites could be slower than normal, but stick with it and you’re bound to score some great deals! Be sure to shop from a reliable computer or mobile device that offers a fast and secure Internet connection to limit glitches and save your sanity.

Follow these simple tips to polish your Cyber Monday shopping skills and save like a champ. We’d love to hear from you! What are some of your favorite Cyber Monday online shopping tips? Tell us below.

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

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5 Shopping Apps to Make the Holidays Easier

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Gone are the days of standing in lines for the hottest toy or purse around the holidays. Technology has made it easier than ever to shop online. We’ve rounded up five of the greatest shopping apps to make your holiday shopping even easier this year. From saving money all through the season to keeping track of gift cards, these apps will allow to kick your feet up by the fireplace, enjoy a cup of cocoa and shop from your mobile device or tablet. Don’t forget to also shop through Ebates to get Cash Back on all your purchases year-round.

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Ebates

We know how important it is for our members to shop on the go which is why we’ve made the Ebates App better than ever. Discover the hottest daily deals, new sale announcements, coupon codes and more all at your fingertips. You can easily access your favorite stores as well as your Cash Back history, cash pending and details on your next Big Fat Check. Store your most used credit card and use the new “Buy Now” feature to shop easily with one click – perfect for those one-item purchases on the go! And don’t forget to enable push notifications to never a miss a deal.

Download the Ebates App for iOS and Android

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RedLaser

Searching for the best price can be time consuming. Download and use RedLaser, which searches millions of products across thousands of online and local retailers to find you the best price. RedLaser also will find alternative products and accessories for the product you just searched. You’ll also get product reviews, descriptions and even nutritional information when purchasing food for your holiday parties. Not that this is the time to be counting calories or anything.

Download RedLaser for iOS, Android and Windows

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Slice

If you shop online, you probably know what a hassle it is to track all your packages. Slice keeps an eye on all your purchases for you. Not only will Slice track your packages, but it watches for price drops and alerts you on hazardous product recalls as well. Ever wondered where you spend most of your money when shopping online? Check out “Slice and Dice” which visualizes your shopping activity into bubbles and charts.

Download Slice for iOS and Android

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GoWallet

If you’re the type of person that gets lots of gift cards during the holidays, GoWallet will help keep all your gift cards in one place. Add the gift cards you have to your “wallet” and you’ll be able to check the balances of all your cards at a glance. Don’t spend time calling and punching in numbers to see your balance. GoWallet allows you to easily scan your cards to save time and assure accuracy. Another great feature of GoWallet is that you can exchange your unwanted gift cards for up to 92% of the value.

Download GoWallet for iOS and Android

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Giftster

Get your gifts right every time with Giftser. Giftser’s mobile (and web) registry allows family and friends to create private and group wish lists for all occasions. Gifts can be marked as reserved or purchased so others don’t purchase duplicate gifts. Shop for gifts your family and friends really want and need with a five-star rating system. And if you’re looking for some festive fun, add a Secret Santa draw to add some jolly to your holiday.

Download Gifster for iOS and Android

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

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12 Black Friday Shopping Tips You Need to Know

Even though it’s only October, you’re probably already starting to see Black Friday deals trickling into your social feeds and advertisements. It’s a lot of information to process and very easy to miss out on the absolute best deals amidst the chaos. We want to make sure you have the most frugal Black Friday yet! Here are 12 Black Friday shopping tips on how to zone in on the best ways to save on your holiday shopping this year.

1. Tune in now. Even if it seems too early to start paying attention to daily deals under the Black Friday label, don’t ignore them. Scope out ads from all types of stores, even ones you don’t normally shop. This will help you compare prices.

2. Browse in person. See a great online deal but not quite ready to commit to buying? This is a great time to start physically going to stores to check out products in person. Once you’re on the floor, ask a sales person about similar products and recommendations that you can also test out in the store. Take notes–this will give you a list of backup products so you can compare prices online when you are ready to buy. During this time of year, brick and mortar stores won’t be as packed with shoppers. This will make browsing a little easier as opposed to going out during the holiday rush.

3. Shop on Thanksgiving and earlier. You don’t have to wait until the stroke of midnight on Black Friday to start shopping. Thanksgiving day is a great time to start. It is historically known as the day of prime Editor’s Choice sales as well. Even the week of Black Friday has fantastic deals you don’t want to miss. Bottom line, don’t wait. As the clock ticks down to the big day, start really paying attention to those deals. As soon as one looks too good to pass up, go for it!

4. Choose to shop online or in-store. Doorbuster deals are designed to get you into the big-name stores with enormous, unbelievable savings on big-ticket items. However, we’ve seen online deals that are just as impressive. But you have to act fast! If you plan on hitting the stores, just know that this will cut into your online shopping time. This means taking the risk on missing top online deals. It all depends on what is more important to you–a visceral shopping experience or a convenient one.

5. Stay on schedule for in-store shopping. Black Friday deals go by lightning fast. You have to be in the store on time. Being even 10 minutes late can result in you leaving empty handed. Know what your day will look like timewise. Plan what time you need to leave, the best driving route possible, etc. If you need a sitter, plan to get one in advance. If you’re going with a shopping buddy, make sure they’re kept in the loop on the schedule. Plan as much extra time as possible to account for unforeseeable variables like parking, traffic and long lines. Black Friday shopping is not something you can do on a whim in a casual fashion. You’ve got to be planned and pumped!

6. Use line time to shop. If you do happen to get caught in a never-ending line, make sure your smartphone is fully charged so you can check out holiday deals on mobile sites while you wait to enter the store. Some online deals are known  to pop up at the very last minute. You might even be able to purchase the item you are waiting for at a better price using your phone. Then you can just move onto the next store!

7. Stick to your shopping list. This especially applies to in-store shopping but can also be relevant to shopping online. Avoid buying impulse items to make sure you stay on budget. Rest assured that checkout lines will be bordered with tantalizing products designed to gobble up your dollars with little time to really think about it. Most of the time, these products are not of high quality and are basically clearance items. Don’t be lured by a good deal on a bad product.

8. Shop at price-matching stores. Walmart and Best Buy are among some big name stores that are known to offer price matching during Black Friday sales. This means they will match the price of an item sold for less by a competitor in order to get your business. If you plan on doing most of your shopping at one or two stores, this is a great tool to ensure you get a great deal without having to skip all over town.

9. Plan alternative products. By now, you get the idea. Black Friday deals can go out of stock in a snap. Sticking to your shopping list will ensure that you stay on budget but a little flexibility will make sure you cover all your categories. You may be looking for a deal on a specific TV but consider an alternative brand or size just in case your desired TV sells out.

10. Buy final sale items with caution. Final sale means just that–final. No returns, no exchanges. These are usually fantastic deals but they come with a little risk. Always make sure of the fit and quality of final sale items before buying.

11. Organize store credits and rebates. Things can certainly get lost in the shuffle with the chaos of Black Friday shopping. Be sure to flag all of your emails and keep all of your receipts during this time, especially those keeping track of your rebates and store credits offered as special savings. Keep a special Black Friday folder at home and in your email.

12. Be patient and stay calm. This can be a very stressful time for both shoppers and retail workers. If you need help in-store or online, being courteous will help to ensure that you will receive the best customer care possible. After all, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Happy shopping!

 

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

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Ebates Button – Few Changes

We <3 our Cash Back button and are constantly working to make sure it’s the best experience possible. We have made some recent refinements that may be a bit of a change and want to make sure you are all still earning all your Cash Back. Questions/comments/concerns about the button? Please let us know 🙂

  1. We removed IE from the install page on the site. We are now only promoting installs for Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. IE was really not work properly with our technology or our stores’ technology. We are sorry to have to do this, but moving forward that browser won’t be available.
  2. VERY IMPORTANT: Cash Back will no longer be automatically activated.  The user will always have to click to activate Cash Back.  We decided that we needed to take every measure to make sure tracking was working properly. We know it’s an extra step, but we think that the Cash Back is worth it 🙂
  3. When you activate your button you will now see a small transition window like when you click through from Ebates. This will help remedy any tracking issues that our old tool bar might have had.
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Biggest Designer Collab of the Year (So Far) with Cash Back!

Biggest Designer Collab of the Year (So Far) with Cash Back!

Have you ever shopped Target‘s designer collaborations? From Missoni to Phillip Lim, Target has been able to work with a variety of very established names in the fashion world to bring customers great designs at budget-friendly prices. This latest collaboration is the brainchild of British designer Peter Pilotto. It’s a bold statement for Spring.
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This latest collab. goes on sale this coming Sunday. If history is any indicator, budget-savvy fashionistas will be lining up at the brick and mortar stores. Ebates customers can shop the sale online, avoid, the crowds, and earn 2.5% Cash Back on their purchase. We have our eyes on the black and white geometric sneakers. Which items are your favorite?

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We were so excited to see we were featured on WMUR 9 yesterday morning. Their readers sure have earned a lot of Cash Back. How much have you earned?

 

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On Trend Spring Shoes from Shoe Metro

On Trend Spring Shoes from Shoe Metro

Being a California girl, there are few things I love more then a great pair of sandals. Luckily for me, Ebates has a plethora of shoe options to help me make sure my shoe collection is on trend.

One of my favorites, Shoe Metro, has a phenomenal selection of shoes and excellent prices. Plus you will earn 2.5-5.0% Cash Back on your purchase!

 

1. I may not have gone to Coachella,but I am loving these Boutique 9 fringe sandals

2. Wear a pair of owls on your feet with these eye catching Daniblack sandals

3. I am loving these classic flat espadrilles

4. Bright colored bottoms and menswear inspired!

5. These neutral cap toes are super chic

6. Tie Dye is totally making a comeback, and these fierce sandals are marked way down

Even better – shop their Friends and Family sale for an extra 20%! Use code FRIENDS20.

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Tips for Getting the Most from Your Hard Earned Dollar!

Roseann Giannone (Rosey The Coupon Coach) has over 25+ years of experience in teaching families how to save thousands of dollars a year on anything from groceries to travel. Check out Rosey’s blog at www.roseythecouponcoach.blogspot.com or on Facebook.

1) Buy clothing and shoes off season! I save up to 90% on our clothing and shoes buying off season. That means purchasing what we need (or want) at the end of the season and putting it away for the following year. Styles (even designer brands) do not change that drastically from year to year. Buy a size larger for your children. Even if they grow quickly and grow over the size you haven’t invested that much money in the item to get upset over it. I’m certain you will be able to sell that brand new with tags item at a yard sale or to a friend who will be thrilled to obtain that item for their child at such a great price. Some stores like Kohl’s (13% Cash Back) will accept your returns even up to a year or more old as long as they still have the tags attached and you have your receipt.

2) Get rid of that expensive fancy cell phone plan! You are throwing away your hard earned money each month paying for that fancy cell phone plan. I dumped ours years ago because we were paying for minutes that we never used. If you are a big cell phone user then I guess it is worth having the fancy phone and expensive plan but I save a bundle each year using a pay as you go plan like Tracfone! It cost me about $110.00 per year per cell phone to have cell phone coverage with the latest phone but we are not big users and it works well for our needs. Tracfone now has a triple minute plan that you can buy and each time you renew your yearly plan you will receive triple minutes. Ebates merchant Best Buy (1% to 3.6% Cash Back) carries Tracfone phones and plans, and the best part is you will get a cash back bonus from this merchant.

3) Grow a veggie garden! Get together with some friends/neighbors and see if they can grow something different so that you can all share in the bounty. We grow tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, melons and lot’s of herbs each year. Even if you only have the room to grow herbs in pots on your windowsill then do so. Check out the vast selection of seeds and instructional videos that Burpee (7% Cash Back) has to offer. It’s free and a wonderful resource for great deals on seeds and information.

4) Don’t purchase items you really don’t need. Make a list and stick to it when you go food shopping. Think twice before purchasing those pink shoes – exactly how many times will you wear pink shoes? Weigh the cost of a repairs vs. new – you would be surprised how much more life you can get out of that washer with a simple repair. If you are handy there is a wealth of information on the internet on how to do your own repairs. If the project looks too overwhelming then don’t tackle it, call a professional but be sure to get an estimate before he starts the work. Don’t trust any of the local professionals? – Join Angie’s List (2% to 27.5% Cash Back) it’s well worth the small fee you have to pay each year to get the valuable information on her list. My blog followers are thrilled with their memberships to Angie’s List for peace of mind in knowing that no one can pay to be on Angie’s List, but they have to earn their reputation on the list with A+ ratings from people like you and I.

Want a chance to win $130.00 from Rosey The Coupon Coach and Ebates.com? Come on over to my Blog and look for the details in a blog post entitled “Exciting News”.