As the holiday season approaches, many of us feel the urgency to start gift shopping. Planning ahead can make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable. In this article, I’ll share valuable insights on how to make your online shopping smarter and more efficient, particularly through the use of a fantastic free tool called Shoptagr.
Last holiday season, I decided to do my shopping in advance, which made things significantly easier for me. I know I’m not alone in procrastinating—many people often leave gift shopping until the last minute. In the past, I found myself wrapping gifts while dressed for our family Christmas Eve dinner, which is when we usually exchange gifts. Planning ahead not only alleviates stress but also allows you more precious time with family. Let’s dive into some strategies for successful online shopping!
#1 KNOW WHEN THINGS GO ON SALE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
Do you ever find yourself browsing online, hesitant to make a purchase? I do. It’s easy to end up with multiple tabs open in your browser. That’s where Shoptagr becomes incredibly useful. This free service allows you to save and track your favorite items, including size and color preferences, and notifies you when they go on sale, come back in stock, or are about to sell out. The best part? You can save items from various retailers, like Asos, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Shopbop, all in one convenient location. You can install it in your browser or download the mobile app. Here’s how it works:
Sign up for Shoptagr (it only takes a few seconds) and install the browser button (or download the mobile app on your iPhone or Android phone).
Start shopping! Visit one of your favorite online retailers; once you find an item you like, click on the Shoptagr button and select your color, size, and notification preferences.
Your selected item will now appear on your wish list. All of your items will be organized on a Pinterest-style page for easy access.
Here are a few more reasons to love Shoptagr, besides the fact that it’s free:
- It takes just seconds to install in your browser
- It’s incredibly user-friendly
- You’ll be among the first to know when your saved items go on sale or are restocked
- You can create a holiday wish list for yourself and share it with friends and family—I’m considering having friends compile their own wish lists on Shoptagr for easier gift shopping.
#2 DON’T OVER-BUY
As the holiday sales ramp up, it’s easy to buy more than you intended. You may even find yourself keeping a gift for yourself instead of giving it away! I recommend maintaining a list of your close friends and family. Not only does it help ensure you don’t forget anyone, but it also aids in managing your gift-giving budget and prevents excessive purchases for a single individual.
#3 STAY SAFE
Always prioritize security when shopping online. Use a secure network such as your home Wi-Fi to avoid exposing sensitive information, like login credentials and payment details. A fundamental tip is to shop only from encrypted websites. When purchasing from a new online store, check that the URL begins with “https” to confirm an encrypted connection.
As you can see, I plan to do most of my holiday shopping online, as I have been for the past few years. The chaos of holiday mall shopping is overwhelming, often making me anxious. If you share my enthusiasm for online shopping, I highly recommend trying Shoptagr. Once you get the hang of it, feel free to share your thoughts!
Additionally, keep some thoughtful items such as candles and chocolates available during the holiday season. Unexpected gifts from coworkers or clients can happen, and having a few nice cards or small gifts on hand allows you to reciprocate without the hassle of last-minute shopping.
Do you have any other tips for smart online shopping to share?
This post was created in partnership with Shoptagr.
