photo credit: reitveld

I searched the web for tips on how to stay in your budget this season, and  found some really good articles.  Here’s my Best-of-the-Web list of top 5 ways to save money during this holiday says.

1.  Leave products in the cart–when you’re shopping online.  After you picked out what you want from an online retail store, leave items in the shopping cart overnight.  The retailer may send you a coupon to help close the deal.  This handy advice came from an online news segment.

2. Redeem credit card rewards. Have you noticed that your credit card company is trying to get you to redeem rewards to help out with Christmas shopping?  This Bankrate article tells you just how to do that, and save.

3. Ask for a refund if prices fall after you’ve made a purchase. Many stores will provide one if the cost of an item you bought there drops within a specific time period.  This tips comes from Good Housekeeping.

4. Get social. As in social media.  This online news segment advises consumers to sign up for a store’s email coupons, and follow them on facebook or twitter. That way, you can be alerted to their exclusive sales and discounts.

5. Don’t throw away expired coupons. This CNN article explains that retailers offer coupons to get customers in the stores before the end of the year.  But if your coupon has expired, ask the retailer if they’ll honor it anyway.  They just might do it.

Other posts you might like:

4 Ways to Find Green Bargains

4 Cheap Ways to Save Up to $600 or More on Heating Costs