How to save money this holiday shopping season Loaner

The following is a sponsored collaboration with Rakuten, my favorite cash back app. You can sign up for Rakuten by clicking here and you can get a $40 sign-up bonus when you make a qualifying purchase. The holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year, but it can also be…

The holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year, but it can also be expensive. Between gifts, decorations, travel, and meals, it’s easy to spend more than you planned.

The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to celebrate.

With the right strategies, you can save money and still make this holiday season magical. Let’s dive into my top tips, starting with my all-time favorite way to save—Rakuten.

How to save money this holiday shopping season

Here are my favorite ways to save money during the holiday shopping season.

1. Get cash back for your holiday shopping with Rakuten

I have been using Rakuten For years, it’s been my favorite money-saving tool. Just this past holiday season, I got over $200 cash back while shopping for gifts for my family. I especially like it for larger purchases — like when I got $90 cash back on a kayak for my husband.

Rakuten is an essential tool for saving money while shopping. If you haven’t heard of it before, Rakuten is a free cash back site and app that rewards you for shopping at your favorite stores. It partners with more than 3,500 popular brands like Nike, Macy’s, Walmart, Target, Old Navy, and Adidas, so the stores you’re shopping at are likely already on the list.

Here’s how it works: When you shop through Rakuten, stores pay a commission to Rakuten, and Rakuten shares a portion of that commission with you as cash back. Depending on the store, you can earn anywhere from 1% to over 15%. For example, I recently got $90 cash back when I purchased a kayak online through Rakuten. These savings add up quickly, especially during the holidays when spending tends to increase.

To get started, sign up for a free Rakuten account. You can shop directly through their website, use their app, or install their browser extension, which automatically finds and applies the best cash back offers and coupon codes for you. Pro Tip: Use a browser extension when you shop online to make sure you don’t miss out on any savings.

Another reason I love Rakuten is how easy it is to get paid. You can choose to get your refund via PayPal or by check. Additionally, Rakuten is currently offering a $40 sign-up bonus (this is a limited-time holiday offer) to new members who make a qualifying purchase, so now’s the perfect time to join.

You can sign up for Rakuten by clicking here and you’ll get a $40 sign-up bonus when you make a qualifying purchase.

Actionable advice: Start your holiday shopping list and find your favorite stores that pay cash through Rakuten. Then, make it a habit to shop through Rakuten for every purchase to maximize your savings.

2. Create a vacation budget

The best way to avoid overspending during the holidays is to create a clear budget. You can start by listing all your holiday expenses, including gifts, decorations, food, travel, and even small things like stocking stuffers or wrapping paper – you can do this on a piece of paper or on your phone/laptop. Once you have the total amount, divide your budget into categories and set spending limits for each category.

For example, if you plan to spend $500 on gifts, break that down further by determining how much you will spend on each person. Putting these boundaries in place will prevent you from overdoing it when you’re tempted to splurge on last-minute items.

Actionable advice: Before shopping, write down your budget and carry it with you. Refer back to it regularly to make sure you’re on track.

3. Shop during sales and plan ahead

Sales are one of the easiest ways to save money while holiday shopping. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are known for their deals, but many stores offer discounts throughout the season. Start looking for sales early so you can take advantage of low prices before items sell out.

Another way to save is to match prices. Many stores will honor a competitor’s lower price if you show them proof, so it’s worth checking prices at multiple retailers.

When you shop during sales, make sure you only buy what you need. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of discounts and buy things you didn’t plan on, which can lead to overspending.

Actionable advice: Create a shopping schedule that includes key sale dates, such as Black Friday or pre-holiday sales, and plan to shop for specific items on those days to avoid impulse purchases.

4. Stack coupons and promo codes

One of my best holiday shopping wins was when I combined a 20% off coupon, free shipping, and cash back from Rakuten to save over $150 on one product recently. I always check promo codes before purchasing anything, and the Rakuten browser extension makes them very easy to find.

One of the smartest ways to save money is to combine coupons and cashback offers. Most stores allow you to use coupons in addition to discounts and cash back, which means greater savings for you.

If you’re shopping in-store, take a few minutes to look for coupons online before checking out. Many stores will scan a digital coupon from your phone, so you don’t need to print anything.

Actionable advice: Combine Rakuten Cash Back with store-specific coupons or promo codes for maximum savings.

5. Give thoughtful gifts or DIY gifts

A few years ago, I created photo books for my family members filled with family vacation memories. It cost me about $20 to create each photo book, but the response has been priceless. Thoughtful gifts like these can mean so much more than just something expensive.

Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. In fact, some of the most memorable gifts are those that are homemade or experience-based. For example, you can bake cakes, create a scrapbook, or tie a scarf. If you’re crafty, handmade gifts are a great way to show your love without spending a lot.

Experience-based gifts are another budget-friendly option. You could offer to babysit for your friend, cook a delicious dinner for your parents, or plan a family night out.

Actionable advice: Make a list of DIY gift ideas that fit your skill level and start gathering materials now. This will save you time and stress as the holidays approach.

6. Avoid buy now, pay later services

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services have become popular, especially during the holidays. These services allow you to break your purchase into smaller payments over several weeks or months. Although this may seem like a great way to buy gifts, it can lead to problems if you’re not careful. BNPL causes a lot of people to spend a lot of money, unfortunately,

The biggest risk with BNPL is that you don’t feel like you’re spending real money. Since you don’t pay the full amount up front, it’s easy to lose the amount you owe. Many people use these services at multiple stores, which may result in juggling several payments at once. If you miss a payment, you could face late fees, and your credit score could take a hit.

Instead of relying on BNPL, focus on sticking to your holiday budget. Ask yourself if you can pay for an item in full now. If the answer is no, it’s a good sign to reconsider your purchase. Another strategy is to save up on expensive items in advance so that you are not tempted to use BNPL services.

Actionable advice: Next time you’re tempted by the BNPL option, stop and calculate the total cost of your existing payments due (if you have any). This will give you a clear picture of your financial obligations and help you decide if you can really afford the purchase. Focus on buying only what fits your budget to avoid post-holiday financial stress.

Enjoy the holidays without overspending – Summary

With these tips, you can celebrate the holidays without worrying about your finances. By using Rakuten, creating a budget, shopping early, and getting creative with gifts, you’ll be able to stretch every dollar while still enjoying the season.

The holidays are a very special time, and I’ve learned that they don’t have to cost a fortune to be memorable. By focusing on what matters — time with your loved ones — and using these strategies, you can enjoy the season without financial stress.

Don’t forget to sign up for Rakuten today, it’s free, easy to use, and comes with a $40 bonus when you make a qualifying purchase.