Top 5 Tips to Score the Best Deal Ahead of the Holidays

Luckily for us, great shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday have made their way to Canada, so now we can save big on toys, electronics and everything else in between.

But in order to prevent overspending, the key is to know your numbers and stick to a spending plan.

This means allocating a certain amount of money for all of your Black Friday or Cyber Monday purchases. Once you know what you have to spend, you can maximize every cent to get the most for your money.

And don’t forget to use your smartphone to have a quick online search for a discount code while in-store. I often take 30 seconds while waiting in line to score extra savings.

A recent RetailMeNot.ca survey revealed that only 29 per cent of Canadians plan to shop on Cyber Monday this year, which means that a ton of money is being left on the table.

To keep the season even more wallet-friendly, always look for an online promo code in addition to those great prices.

Even 10 or 15 per cent in bonus savings can make a big difference – especially for big ticket items – as more than one in three Canadians plan to buy electronics for those on their holiday shopping lists.

Why not take a few moments to browse this Cyber Monday from the comfort of your home, or office?

If you want to take advantage of the best deals with the best selection - start planning. Many retailers have limits on the items sold at deep discounts, and such items frequently sell out in a matter of minutes.

Prioritize the "must-get" gifts or items you want to buy, and try to get your hands on those items first – especially if you’re one of the 31 per cent of Canadian men who to RetailMeNot they plan to buy themselves electronics this year.

If you're shopping Black Friday or Cyber Monday and you're buying big ticket items like TVs and other electronics, you may also be eligible for free add-ons.

Whether it’s free batteries, maintenance or an accessory – all it takes is asking a simple question, "Is there anything you can include additionally with this purchase?" Or do a quick search on retailmenot.ca for a coupon code that could get you an add-on.

If you can score a great Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal, then more power to you! But if you aren’t able to shop on those dates, all is not lost.

Sometimes you can score a deal later in December as retailers move to push more products off the shelves, especially for seasonal items like clothing and shoes.

So, if you're willing to risk a smaller selection for the gifts that are less important on your list, you might be able to score an even bigger deal by waiting. And don’t forget – shopping online is a great way to hunt for deals year-round!

Thanks for tuning in. Be sure to come back in a few weeks where I’ll have more tips for all of the holiday shopping procrastinators out there. For more savvy spending tips, head to SmartCookies.com, and to search for more deals, visit RetailMeNot.ca