Cyber Monday Tips, Secrets, and Game Plan

When it comes to holiday shopping, the statistics are all over the place.

But one thing is for certain: when you take advantage of Cyber Monday deals, you can save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars!

Cyber Monday deals are often even better than Black Friday (I know… wild, right?).

Plus, Cyber Monday has the added bonus that it can be enjoyed right from your couch.

Staying in pajamas? Saving money? Getting holiday shopping done? Count. Me. In.

But, how do you ensure you save the most money, snag the best deals, and quickly check things off your shopping list in one go?

Let’s find out the top Cyber Monday tips and secrets…

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How to Create a Cyber Monday Game Plan

By far the BEST way to score during Cyber Monday is to create a game plan.

In fact, this is my number one Cyber Monday tip.

This doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just a simple idea of your shopping needs.

Let’s walk through the process together:

Step 1: Create a Holiday Budget

Start by creating a realistic and detailed budget for the entire holiday season.

This includes everything from gifts and wrapping paper to food and activity tickets.

Need a little help? I’ve created an entire step-by-step guide to create your very own holiday budget here.

In addition, you can snag this handy free monthly budget printable worksheet (below) to walk you through the process.

Related: How to Create a Holiday Budget in 6 Simple Steps

Step 2: Create a Holiday Shopping List

Next, create a comprehensive holiday shopping list. For each item on your list, be sure to add an estimated cost to ensure you stay within your budget.

Personally, I prefer to create three different lists: holiday gifts and decor, everyday essentials, and personal development. Let’s take a look at each one…

List 1: Holiday Gifts and Decor Shopping List

The most obvious shopping list for Cyber Monday is holiday-related. This includes gifts, decorations, wrapping paper, porch lights, holiday sweaters, and whatever else you think you’ll need this year.

In need of some gift ideas? Be sure to check out these 99 unforgettable budget-friendly gift ideas and this ultimate holiday gift guide for college students.

Holiday Essentials Shopping List:

To help you out, here are some of my favorite holiday essentials:

Double-Sided Wrapping Paper – this set is absolutely stunning
Pop-Up Quick Tape Dispenser
Holiday Gift Bags
Tissue Paper
Plain Gift Boxes
Festive Pull Bows
Holiday Storage Containers
Assorted Holiday Cards
Festive Thank You Cards

List 2: Everyday Essentials Stock-Up Shopping List

Most people don’t think about shopping for everyday essentials during Cyber Monday, but you can really save some serious cash by doing so.

In fact, this is one of my all-time favorite Cyber Monday tips!

Take a look around your house and identify essentials you use on a regular basis. Add them to your Cyber Monday Shopping list. Some examples might include:

Makeup
Cleaning supplies
Hand soaps
Decorations and candles
Tools
Car maintenance
Anything that needs replacing (electronics, kitchen appliances, etc.)
Discounted gift cards to grocery stores and gas stations

Although you might be spending a little extra now, over the year you will spend less on everyday shopping. Rule of thumb: only stock up for the year if you can find 50% off or better.

List 3: Personal Development Shopping List

Now is the perfect time to strategically invest in yourself. Purchase a new goal planner, or self-improvement book, or grab a new outfit for an upcoming interview.

Speaking of planners and personal development, I always host a holiday sale on my Etsy shop. You can find goal planners, habit trackers, calendars, budget worksheets, and so much more.

Check out The Olden Chapters Etsy Shop!

Step 3: Research Holiday Sales & Identify Stores

Once you have your shopping list ready, take some time to research the best holiday sales.

Then, go down your shopping list and use a price comparison tool to identify which store has the best deal on each item.

Don’t forget to write down the store name next to each item on your list!

Pro Tip: Amazon Prime usually offers some of the best deals of the season. They are a great place to start and compare prices from. Here is their deals page to get started.

Step 4: Shop the Cyber Monday Sales!

On Cyber Monday, set an alarm early in the morning and get shopping!

Step 5: Update Your Holiday Budget and Plan

As you shop during Cyber Monday, be sure to update your holiday budget. This will help decrease the chances of overspending.

In addition, if you weren’t able to snag everything on your list, make a plan to complete your holiday shopping before the end of the holiday season.

Top Cyber Monday Tips and Tricks

As I previously mentioned, creating a shopping game plan is my number one Cyber Monday tip.

But, what other tips and tricks will help you save money during the big event?

Let’s take a look…

Stack deals with coupons
Save even more money with rebate apps (my favorites are Rakuten and Ibotta)
Prime members – take advantage of your membership by shopping the crazy holiday deals
Look for deals and gift ideas from your favorite influencers
Follow websites like Krazy Coupon Lady for deal alerts (you can always unsubscribe later)
Sign up for email alerts from your favorite brands and stores
Beat Cyber Monday overwhelm by limiting your computer time (set a timer – when it goes off hit “purchase”)
Purchase discounted gift cards for even more savings
Use old, unwanted gift cards you have lying around

More Holiday Resources

Looking for more great holiday-related content? Check out these great resources:

More Financial Resources

Ready to meet your financial goals in the upcoming year? Take a look at these amazing money-related articles:

There you have it! My favorite Cyber Monday tips and shopping game plan. I truly hope you’ve found this helpful and are able to score the best deals of the season. Happy shopping!