Cyber Monday: How to Make the Best of It

Missed Black Friday this year, but still have some holiday shopping to do?

Cyber Monday is an online version of “Black Friday,” to excite people for the holiday season and help businesses boost their sales. On Black Friday, which is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, businesses offer incredible deals to their customers. The following Monday, all online merchants usually do the same.

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be very tempting, but if you don’t plan carefully, you might end up spending more money than you planned. The key to making the best of these awesome sales is preparation. Since Cyber Monday gives you the freedom to shop online, you can do a lot to prepare for it in advance. Here’s how to be ready:
Know what you Hope to Find
This year, Cyber Monday falls on the first of December, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start getting ready much earlier than that. If possible, work on preparing your holiday list all throughout the year. It’s easier to jot down ideas as they come to you rather than trying to think of a gift for everyone in your life all at once. Having a completed list by the time Cyber Monday rolls around will not only ensure that you don’t forget anyone important, but it will also help you save time as you search for the best deals.
Check Prices Now to Have Something to Compare to Later
Once you have your list, use it to check on the regular price of each item. Note down the prices and highlight them. Then, on Cyber Monday, look for deals that will help you save as much as possible. A lot of people assume that they are getting a great price simply because it’s Cyber Monday. Unless you’ve researched the market, you won’t know if you’re overspending or not.
Learn Your Best Bet for Savings
Electronic gadgets and children’s toys are usually marked down the most on Cyber Monday simply because retailers know these are hot items for the holidays. However, clothing, handbags and jewelry are also often discounted, allowing you to give the gift of fashion this season at a bargain! Planning at least a rough draft of your gift list with the different types of holiday discounts & sales in mind will help you to keep ahead of the rat race.
Decide Your Budget in Advance
Many people end up overspending due to not setting a budget ahead of time. If you don’t carefully keep track of your purchases, you might be hit with an unpleasant surprise when you add up all that you spent. When figuring out your budget, don’t forget to factor in shipping costs. Online merchants that offer free shipping  can save you a lot of money.

Are you still feeling clueless about what to do for gifts?Having gifts available at affordable prices won’t do you much good if you still aren’t sure what you want to buy. For gift ideas, check out the take a peek first at the Kipling Gift Shop. We allow you to search for gifts based on personality, providing the perfect solution for those times when you can't think of what to buy!

With all this in mind, take a deep breath, and start clicking. We wish you the happiest of holidays and the best of luck with your online shopping this year!