INDIANAPOLIS — The weekend after Thanksgiving is known for its sales and deals.
That is why it is important to shop them with your price research tools ready.
Start the process by making a shopping list ahead of time. A list can help shoppers stay intentional about purchases, plus keep price ranges top of mind.
Once the shopping begins, consider plugging in the item's name into websites, including Honey and Google Shopping.
These sites offer price history analytics to let shoppers know how low an item's price has gone in the past.
Google also offers its users the option to track prices. If there is a drop, an email will be sent.
If you are shopping in person, the Google app might also be useful. Once the app is open, tap the camera, snap a picture and hit "search." Then, app users should be able to scroll down to the prices and stores.
Shoppers can also save more money by using a cashback app.
Popular options include Rakuten, RetailMeNot and Capital One Shopping.
For example, if an air fryer is $119 at most major retailers, you can get money back by shopping around the cashback offers. If Macy's is offering 6% back, that is an additional $7 off the item.
To claim the rebate, click the offer on the cashback site first. Then, the site automatically redirects you to the retail site where you will shop like normal.
For Rakuten, the cashback is put into your account and sent out every three months via PayPal or a check.
Companies like these offer you a percentage of the purchase back in exchange for the shopping data.
When comparing prices and cashback amounts, verify if the retailer also offers free delivery and free returns.
If you belong to a wholesale club, check their sites directly. Oftentimes, their deals are not reflected in the search engine.
Credit cards may also offer product warranties and additional cashback as long as the purchase is made with that card.