It’s almost that time of year again: when bank accounts take a hit because of reckless holiday shopping. Teens are notorious for having either very little money or being flat-out broke, which is a major obstacle for finding the perfect gifts for family and friends. Luckily, there are a couple of tricks for holiday shopping that can guarantee the average shopper saves some big bucks this holiday season.

   A lot of shoppers make the mistake of waiting until December to go into a store and spend, all without having a sense of saving in mind. Junior Honieh Hemati is a savvy seasonal shopper and is conscious when it comes to deals and sales during the holiday season. “I like to shop at clothing stores for my friends or online. I love online shopping,” Hemati exclaimed. Online shopping can seem too good to be true, with stores like Forever 21 having an online sale almost every day. For example, on November 6, 2019, the retail store’s website had a 25 percent off sale on all items and free shipping on purchases of 75 dollars. The sale was for online transactions only, making online shopping more convenient, affordable, and enticing (forever21.com). Many stores promote similar opportunities, and for the rational consumer, online shopping is a great way to save some money.

   Online coupons aren’t something many people know about, but those who utilize online couponing companies, such as Honey, are familiar with the big savings opportunities at  all sorts of stores from Macy’s to Amazon. Honey finds promotional and coupon codes during the checkout process that can save people anywhere from 2 dollars to as much as 15 dollars depending on the item, quantity, and website (joinhoney.com). Not only do these companies save you money, they also save you time, as they do all the searching for you!

   If online shopping wasn’t already enticing enough, some stores allow the option to pick up purchases for free at store locations. Pricey shipping costs can scare customers away and force them to abandon their shopping spree, but with free pick up in stores, the burden of having to pay for shipping is no longer an issue.

   If online shopping isn’t your personal preference, the best times to go shopping in stores are on Black Friday, of course, and any day before December 13, according to Business Insider. December 13 is said to be too early for frantic last-minute shoppers, and too late for early shoppers that already have everything they need (buisnessinsider.com). In addition, Black Friday is a phenomenal time to get your hands on amazing deals and plenty of sales. However, no one thing is perfect: Black Friday still has its renowned crowds and long lines but if that isn’t an issue for you then that is the time to go.

   Sometimes the best gift is a homemade gift or card, which is generally a lot cheaper too. Juniors Summer Ingalls, Kiane Ogawa, and Sophie Ryan all partake in making DIY gifts for family and friends. “I like to make something sentimental, like an ornament. If you buy a lot,  then you are able to give them to a lot of people and you save money,” Ingalls explained. “I make a lot of DIY gifts,” Ryan said. “Things like cards and stuff that I know people are going to like, so it’s more personal,” Ogawa added. 

   There are so many ways to save this holiday season, from online shopping and coupons to making an inexpensive DIY gift or card. Shopping should be fun, not a daunting task that can put you in debt. Hopefully, with these tips and tricks, any gift-giver can give a little more, and for a lot less!