Savvy Holiday Shopping Tips with Chase Ultimate Rewards

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December 5, 2013

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The holidays are a time to be generous with our hard-earned dollars as we find the perfect gifts for loved ones - and give ourselves a little kick-back, too. Of course, it can also be a stressful time for finances, so it's important to have a holiday shopping strategy that makes sense for you and your wallet. Here are some of my tips to help you stay budget-savvy this holiday season:

UPDATE 12/17/13: And the winner of our $100 gift card giveaway is...#3 Taylor B.! Congrats to our winner and thanks to everyone who shared their tips!

Make a list. We all love buying things just because they're on sale - myself included - but then I end up with random pieces that don't work with what I already own, or duplicates of things I'll never wear. So make a list - have you been lusting for a genuine leather jacket? That special designer bag? It's better to get the items on your list during the Cyberweek madness rather than lots of random deals you didn't really need or want in the first place.

Use your smartphone for good, not evil. Do use smartphone apps for money-saving coupons and price-checking in store, or for mobile exclusive deals and sales. Don't shop at the wee hours of the night, or when you've had too much spiked egg nog, or when you're just plain bored. You might buy things you later regret.

Always read the fine print. Know the return policy on those Black Friday/Cyber Monday doorbusters and deals so you don't get stuck with something you didn't mean to buy.

Consider a rewards card. If you're responsible - paying off balances at the end of each month and all that good stuff - then having a rewards card can make a lot of financial sense. Chase Freedom, Chase Sapphire and Ink from Chase cards come with Ultimate Rewards, a rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for travel, gift cards, cash back, merchandise and more. Learn more at UltimateRewards.com.

Shop online. The holidays are hectic enough, so simplify your shopping life and give yourself a gift. Chase Sapphire and Ink from Chase cardholders can earn bonus points for shopping online at UltimateRewards.com.

When in doubt, give a gift card. Chase Freedom customers save 10 - 20 percent by redeeming cash back rewards at UltimateRewards.com for gift cards to give as gifts, or use the gift cards for purchasing holiday gifts at major retailers.

And now, it's time for a $100 gift card reader giveaway!

To enter:

Tell me your budget-savvy tips for the holiday shopping season in the comments section below.

Giveaway ends December 15th, 2013.

Open to U.S. residents ages 18+.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Chase Ultimate Rewards. I received compensation for this post, however all opinions stated are my own.

Comments (43)

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Comments

I always use ebates and search for extra coupon codes when shopping online.

#1 Alicia F. (Homepage) on 2013-12-05 06:56 (Reply)

I use mint.com to manage our budget and how much we spend. I like seeing where our money is going and what areas we aren't doing the best at.

demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

#2 Ashley C on 2013-12-05 09:56 (Reply)

I make my list in August and start shopping early to spread out my budget.

#3 Taylor B. on 2013-12-05 12:13 (Reply)

I always wait for a sale. At this time of the year, paying full-price for anything is unnecessary!

#4 Nicole on 2013-12-05 13:31 (Reply)

I like to buy items online when possible because then I can go through a shopping portal like Chase Ultimate Rewards and earn extra miles for travel. I also always check Retailmenot and similar sites for promo codes or coupons to bring the cost down even more!

#5 Kelsey on 2013-12-05 13:39 (Reply)

I love to use sites like Ebates or Mr. Rebates to earn cash back and find the best coupon codes while shopping online. I live in a rural area, so having access to the best deals online is ideal when it comes to shopping for Christmas.

#6 Emily (Homepage) on 2013-12-05 13:43 (Reply)

Considering I am perpetually broke, I have come up with a few ways to get decent gifts for the holidays:

Rewards programs. Some products I buy on a regular basis have rewards programs. Coke Rewards is one example. I stockpile my points on various programs and redeem for gift cards.

Contests. Occasionally I get lucky and win something nice. I stash back prizes for gifts throughout the year. That is if I don't use it myself. More often than not, I go the selfless route.

Amazon. I recently purchased the last two books of the Millennium trilogy in large print for my mother. I bought them second hand because large print books are mighty expensive. Together it cost me about $4 (before shipping costs and tax) for the two books. At retail it would have been roughly $40.

Survey sites. I take surveys for points. I stockpile the points throughout the year and redeem them for Amazon gift cards. This year I was able to get a $20 gift card.

It's been a really rough year financially for me so I've done all that I could. I typically have a pretty decent haul by December from the above mentioned. Some years more than others.

#7 Roxanne on 2013-12-05 14:03 (Reply)

you need to check the online deal sites

#8 Adrienne gordon on 2013-12-05 15:50 (Reply)

I like price-checking items online first, and also check Retailmenot.com and other similar sites to see if there are any discount/deal codes to use for online purchases!

#9 Kay (Homepage) on 2013-12-05 16:27 (Reply)

Use the envelope system!!

#10 Ashton on 2013-12-05 16:34 (Reply)

I use technology to make sure we get the best deals!
PoachIt.com allows you to track prices on particular items (emails you when prices drop) & gives you any coupon/discount code available at that time (no need for multiple searches on coupon cabin, retail me not, etc.).
Red Laser is a great phone app that allows you to compare prices for a particular item while at the store, so you know instantly if the price in front of you is a good deal! Lots of stores will price match on-the-spot if you show them the other store's lower price.
Reward programs (Chase Ultimate rewards, Coke rewards, drugstore loyalty cards, etc.) also help with coupons & gift cards.
And we always budget before the holidays! Mint.com is a great place to start..

#11 Kim Pincombe Cole on 2013-12-05 16:38 (Reply)

I start shopping right after Christmas! I hit all the clearance sales during the year and stock up my "gift" closet. Whenever there is an awesome sale I go and use coupons to get the best price possible. Also the best time to buy wrapping paper is around January 7th when it's 90% off at Toys r us!!!

#12 brandi george on 2013-12-05 16:42 (Reply)

I usually try to stock up on stocking stuffers the day after xmas and gift boxes like the mugs and cocoa ones. Those are easy go to gifts!

#13 Leslie J on 2013-12-05 16:48 (Reply)

I only shop when I have a coupon or free shipping.

#14 Chondria Andrews on 2013-12-05 16:51 (Reply)

I look for sales very early in the holiday shopping season, and I always carry coupons.

#15 CharityS on 2013-12-05 17:15 (Reply)

Ebates and retailmenot are my go to sites. Signing up for the newsletter for that company sometimes provides coupon codes.

#16 Ann on 2013-12-05 17:31 (Reply)

I have a list made out for how much to spend on each person and what I already purchased and spent. I try to buy items that's on sale.

#17 Margaret smith on 2013-12-05 17:47 (Reply)

I figure out how much I have to budget for the Holidays, make a list & research online to find out who has the best prices! I ONLY buy an item if its on sale!

#18 Carol B on 2013-12-05 19:31 (Reply)

I use a lot of price comparison apps and sites to make sure I'm getting the best deals, and I combine that with coupons, price matching policies, and prepaid credit cards that give me a spending limit each time I go to the stores!

#19 Geoff K on 2013-12-05 20:00 (Reply)

I buy when they are on sale.

#20 Shannon Baas on 2013-12-05 21:15 (Reply)

I usually wait for black friday and cyber
Monday sales. I sign up for newsletters on shopping sites to get firsthand notice of sales, or social network site.

#21 Jannica on 2013-12-05 22:28 (Reply)

i never buy things full price this time of year!

#22 Bianca (Homepage) on 2013-12-06 00:00 (Reply)

I always check out sites like retailmenot.com for coupon codes AND I use ebates so I not only get the discount but get cash back as well. Also my favorite is this site/app called shopstyle!!! I search for anything I want and I get a "sale alert" in my email inbox if that item ever goes on sale. I always start these alerts two months before the holidays so that the second something goes on sale I can snatch it up!

#23 Asya on 2013-12-06 05:27 (Reply)

I save lots of money on floral arrangements for holiday decorating by using holly and pine clippings from my yard and mixing in inexpensive supermarket flowers. Everyone comments about how beautiful they are and they cost almost nothing.

#24 Cynthia C on 2013-12-06 06:55 (Reply)

Know who you are shopping for & what you want to get or how much you want to spend, and then don't buy outside of that list! Shop throughout the year for great sales and clearance items.

#25 Sarah Hirsch on 2013-12-06 09:52 (Reply)

My tips are to shop year round, shop sales and clearance and combine with coupons

kport207 at gmail dot com

#26 kathleen on 2013-12-06 10:02 (Reply)

I make a list in the back of my planner for must haves and gift ideas. Then I set a price limit for each item that I refuse to let myself go over. I shop on sites like Poshmark for resale shoes and clothes and sign up for price drop alerts from Shopstyle and Polyvore. When things are too far out of my budget but I love the style, I search sites like The Budget Babe to find the look for less. Some things are just not worth the mark up so why not enjoy finding a mark down? Happy Holidays BB!

#27 Mac (Homepage) on 2013-12-06 11:09 (Reply)

I check discount sites like outnet.com for designer deals- great for unique luxe presents!

#28 Aleksandra on 2013-12-06 16:30 (Reply)

I make a plan and work the plan

#29 Linda Lansford on 2013-12-06 17:21 (Reply)

I save a bit each month, watch for good deals all year and make a number of special goodies from my home grown, organic blackberries (jams, liquours, etc) in the summer to gift at Christmas.

#30 Suzanne K on 2013-12-06 23:13 (Reply)

I make a list and stick to it... and I only splurge with gift cards that I'ce won!!

#31 Sam L. (Homepage) on 2013-12-09 16:42 (Reply)

I start listening to those around me and making mylist fornext year right away and then wait for the bargains Sometimes it is black firday and cyber monday

#32 kathy on 2013-12-09 17:02 (Reply)

I set a dollar limit for each person before beginning shopping, make a list for each person, and then make sure I stick to it.

#33 Ann Fantom on 2013-12-09 17:54 (Reply)

Have a plan. Know what you want to buy for each person, and shop for the best deal. Don't go overboard!

#34 Laura F. on 2013-12-14 14:02 (Reply)

I shop with cash only to avoid impulse buys while out shopping.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

#35 Lisa Garner on 2013-12-14 15:26 (Reply)

I use Ebates and only shop at sales.

#36 Robin on 2013-12-14 15:59 (Reply)

I buy only gifts that are on sale year round, at the lowest prices. When the holidays come around I'm mostly done. Even with the few I have to get at the end, I only buy what's on sale.

#37 Stephanie Larison on 2013-12-14 16:46 (Reply)

I compare prices online to get the best deals and I look for discount codes.

#38 Shannon on 2013-12-14 17:41 (Reply)

We like to shop during sales, use coupons, and price match.

#39 Brittney House on 2013-12-14 19:43 (Reply)

I try to search for deals and also price comparison shop between most venues. I look for coupon codes where possible and social media pages of respective companies for announced codes.

#40 Tamar on 2013-12-14 19:54 (Reply)

I do a little research online to find the best prices that are out there. HIt all the blogs and price matching places to see where and how I can save

#41 Karrie Millheim on 2013-12-14 21:17 (Reply)

my tip is to do most of your shopping online for best buys. Do the remainder at stores and checking out flyers and get there early!

#42 Richard Hicks on 2013-12-14 21:27 (Reply)

I love to use sites like Ebates or Mr. Rebates to earn cash back and find the best coupon codes while shopping online. I also make a budget and pay with cash.

#43 Susan Smith on 2013-12-14 23:12 (Reply)

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