Save Money - Search online, browse offline, buy online

3 Simple Tips that I have found effective for saving on my holiday shopping:

1. Search Offline - Begin by looking for what you want at various price comparison sites like Shopzilla or Froogle. I have links on the right pane of this website under "Price Comparison & Deal Sites". Try and find the best price at a reputable merchant. Make you check the Total price. Some of the cheaper options do not include shipping, which can add 5-15% more on your price and make a big relative difference.

2. Browse Offline  - Once you have narrowed done what you want, you should go to an actual store to check out on the item(s) you want. This applies to electronics or computers in particular. Also if you are choosing between 2-3 brands of an item, seeing them operating/used live is a good way to make the final decision. I recommend this for selecting a HDTV especially.

3. Get coupons & Buy online - Once you have finalized the product/brand you want. Go online and get discount or promotional coupons (see right pane of this site for recommended coupon sites). This can save you another 10-15% of the total price. The only caveat with this is that the coupon may only be valid for online purchases. However, most major retailers have an online site (as shown in this blog) so buying online is pretty safe as all warranty rules etc apply. Free shipping is normally included with items more than $100, or if you really want the item asap you can choose the ship-to-store option.

Enjoy your purchase!