10 Ways to Save Money on Small Business Saturday

If you live in the United States, chances are you’ve already heard about Small Business Saturday at some point over the past few years. Despite its name, it’s not just one day, but an entire shopping period running from November 23rd through November 27th and culminating in the actual Small Business Saturday on November 29th.

1) Shop Online

Small Business Saturday has one very easy tip: Shop online. Shopping locally is always nice, but often comes with additional costs, like parking and tolls, that can add up quickly. Instead of picking up a latte before going in to shop at your local store, just order it online and have it waiting for you when you get there. Do some quick product research ahead of time so you know what’s available at your local store or visit an outlet or two so you know where you’re planning to go once you finish shopping online. You might find that certain stores offer better deals on certain products during Small Business Saturday (the Macy's website does), so do some pre-shopping research beforehand.

2) Use Cashback Sites

Getting cashback for your purchases is always a nice bonus. Sites like Ebates and TopCashBack offer shoppers cashback when they shop at participating retailers, helping you save more money with each purchase. For example, if you spend $25 at Macy’s using a Cashback Site’s promo code, you might get 10% of that back in gift cards (that means $2.50), while some of these sites offer even higher percentage rates. This isn’t going to make a big dent in your shopping bill—Ebates says most people earn an average of just $30 per year—but every little bit helps, right? Consider signing up for a site before Small Business Saturday so you can start racking up rewards over Thanksgiving weekend.

3) Check Groupon

One of the best ways to save money shopping on Small Business Saturday is by checking Groupon first. and type in Small Business Saturday + your town or city and then check out Groupon. If there are deals for your area, then you should be able to grab some pretty good discounts with promo codes or coupons.

4) Find store sales in your area

While most people think of Black Friday as a shopping holiday, there are plenty of great deals available on Small Business Saturday. Most big box stores offer special promotions and discounts throughout their stores, so you don’t need to plan a trip to find some savings. Just find out what stores will be participating in Small Business Saturday deals by checking with your local Chamber of Commerce or searching online. If you have trouble finding deals, it may also be helpful to call each store individually and ask about pricing for that day. Also, keep an eye out for any coupons at gas stations or newspapers as well! You can use these coupons in-store that day!

5) Use Discount Gift Cards

If you’re in search of savings during Small Business Saturday, or any other shopping holiday, look for coupons, rebates, and exclusive sales. Before heading out shopping, do a little research online to see what deals are available that might save you money. Just be careful not to miss out on deals at your favorite local businesses in search of bigger savings from online shops. If you have time before heading out to shop, print out coupons and store them in your purse or wallet so you can use them while you’re there. This will help ensure you don’t forget and will also keep things simple since they’ll already be right there with your other coupons when it comes time to check out.

6) Buy only what you need

Shopping is a great way to relax, but if you’re shopping specifically for Small Business Saturday, it can get pricey. Even though retailers might offer big sales, you don’t have to buy every item you see! Instead of impulsive purchases, plan out your shopping trip so that you know exactly what you want before entering any stores. And remember: If there are multiple items or colors of an item available at different prices, use coupons and check store circulars before purchasing anything so that you only buy what’s truly necessary.

7) Look for Rebates

It can be difficult to resist in-store deals, especially those that are part of a shopping holiday. If you're trying to save money, though, one tip is to stick with your shopping list. And if you have a long list of things you need and want, why not split up your day? You can go shopping on multiple trips. It takes time, but it's worth it if it will keep you from buying impulse items just because they're on sale. Remember: This is all about being strategic with your dollars. Be methodical and savvy when making purchases so you get exactly what you need for less than full price. (See also: 20 Tips for Saving Money)

8) Comparison shop at different stores

When you’re shopping at one of your favorite stores, take a few minutes to compare prices with what other retailers are charging for similar items. You can also check for coupon codes or special discounts that could help you save money. As an added bonus, if you’re going out of town, be sure to check out their website and find out if they have any brick-and-mortar locations in your destination city. Even if they don’t have any stores near you when you go away, it’s still worth checking what kind of online deals or sales they might be offering during a certain period. Retailers love having consumers spend money, so try asking them questions about upcoming deals and promotions that may interest you.

9) Skip the mall

Shopping online saves time and gas money. If you’re looking for a specific store or type of gift, like a new umbrella or new boots, it’s often more convenient (and cheaper) to search from home. Plus, if you shop from your favorite retailer’s website, you can sign up for emails and get special coupons in your inbox. Or try browsing virtual clearance racks for deep discounts. Of course, if you do go out shopping in person, be sure to bring cash so that if there is a gift card rack at checkout, you don’t have to use plastic and spend even more money!

10) Avoid impulse purchases

Shopping is one of America’s favorite activities, and it's a $4 trillion industry. However, with small businesses taking part in Black Friday sales and more items available for purchase online than ever before, shoppers can easily go overboard—especially during a shopping holiday. This year, make sure your spending spree doesn’t leave you broke by making impulse purchases only when it makes sense (i.e., when your finances are good), and avoid buying unnecessary items entirely. Additionally, be wary of how much you buy online; shipping charges can add up quickly if you aren’t careful! These 10 simple tricks will help ensure that you don’t overspend on Small Business Saturday or any other shopping holiday.

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