Back in the day, holiday shopping prep was looking through the circulars from the Sunday paper, making a list of gifts you had to buy, and then heading to the mall. You had high hopes that the items on sale would still be there when you arrived, and depending on how late in the season it was, you sometimes went over budget because you just wanted to get it done.
Today, you have a lot more shopping options than in years’ past, and with the right tools, staying organized or scoring a deal is never more than a finger swipe away.
Here, the apps you must give yourself as the holiday season approaches:
- RetailMeNot: Should an impromptu shopping trip happen, and you just know that you have coupons sitting at home, never fear. This app is up to date on store promo codes and printable coupons to use in-store (you can just show your mobile device at the register — think of all that printer ink you’ll save!).
- Gift Plan: How many times are you out shopping and have to call Aunt Betty to find out little Charlie’s size? Or, you think of the perfect gift for your hard-to-shop-for mom, and then just like that, you forget what it was. This app helps you stay organized (good for birthdays, too!) so that you’ll always have your loved ones and gift ideas for them at your fingertips.
- Amazon Price Check: We’ve all kicked ourselves for making a purchase, only to go home and realize that the same item was less expensive on Amazon. This app lets you scan barcodes to instantly compare prices with the mega online retailer. No more regrets!
- Target Cartwheel: This newish app from Target lets you pick and choose discounts to load into smart phone giving you coupons that non-app shoppers can’t access. You can get 10 percent off or more on everything from clothing to seasonal items to groceries, just by presenting your Cartwheel account at checkout, and it can be combined with other coupons you may have.
- Slice: If you’re an online shopper, it can be annoying to keep track of shipments and expected delivery dates. This app does all the work for you by syncing with your email inbox. It also keeps your purchase receipts all in one handy place, and can alert you to price drops on items you bought so you can inquire about a price adjustment.
- Black Friday App: Created by by DealNews, the app is just what its name implies — a compilation of all the Black Friday deals. It also has an easy price comparison tool built in, and a store locater for you to see nearby deals (perfect if you’ll be spending the Thanksgiving weekend in unfamiliar territory).
Do you currently use shopping apps? Please share your favorite ones below.
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