Shop and Save From Your Couch on Cyber Monday

Fire up your laptop, charge your tablet, and make sure you’re not overdressed. Forget about Black Friday, it’s time to talk about savings on Cyber Monday.

Not to be outdone by Thursday, the Monday after Thanksgiving has it’s own day of mega-savings. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to save a bundle, but you do need a plan of attack. Follow these tips to make sure you score the best deals.

Get Organized – Know what you want before Cyber Monday gets here. Make a list, know who you’re buying for, and what you’re looking for. Time is precious on Cyber Monday. Browse on Sunday, spend smart on Monday.

Investigate the Deals – If you’ve spent any time on social media or browsing the internet, you’ve probably already heard the rumors of which retailers are offering the best deals on Cyber Monday. Get out on the web and window shop. Compare your shopping list to your online research so you’ll know which sites to hit for the biggest savings. Apps like ShopSavvy and Shopular are perfect for budgeting and managing your list.

Product Research – Since you’re not going into a store on Cyber Monday, you won’t get to talk to an informed salesperson about your potential purchases. You need to become your own expert prior to spending money on Monday. Research your purchases before you buy. Read reviews and watch un-boxing videos. Visit a store that’s offering the product you want and become informed. Knowledge is power.

Shop Early – Although you won’t have to elbow your way to the register, you will be up against the clock on Cyber Monday. Just like Black Friday, some of the deals on Cyber Monday are limited to certain quantities or a certain time of day. Get up early and sniff out your best deals. In the past, retailers like Amazon and Walmart have had giant discounts on the hour, every hour. But when time is up, that deal is history.

Shipping Costs – Although many retailers will add onto their amazing bargains by offering free shipping, don’t assume so. Double check the shipping costs of your purchases to make sure you know exactly how much you’re spending. Don’t lose your savings on shipping.

Stay Connected – Your ability to shop on Cyber Monday completely depends on your connected devices. Make sure you’re charged up, you’ve got your power cable, you’ve paid your bills, and your wi-fi router is working properly. Just like you kick your tires before you head out on Black Friday, you need to check your equipment for Cyber Monday.

Can You Save More on Monday?

Does Cyber Monday truly offer better deals? Well, it all depends on what you’re looking for.

For the most part, stores and manufacturers offer discounts on Cyber Monday that are just as big and ridiculous as on Black Friday. The factor that keeps Cyber Monday growing – according to Adobe data consumers spent $3.39 billion last year – is the ease of connectability. If you’re on the internet, you can shop and save from your couch on Cyber Monday.

Another plus for Cyber Monday is the lack of ferocious crowds. Sure, a server or two might get overloaded for a few seconds. But when you’re shopping from the comfort of your home, there’s no fear of fighting over the last TV or getting trampled when the doors fly open. Good luck.