1. Televisions

On Black Friday, television prices were so low, and you could buy two or three for the price of one regularly priced set. One retailer had a 65-inch smart tv with 4K technology for only $400. While you may not be one of the lucky ones to cash in on this offer, you could nab a 60 inch for around $598 too.

2. Washers and Dryers

It’s not much of a Christmas gift, but you can score a front loader set with large capacity and pedestals for around $1,500. The average cost of these items would be approximately $2,200-$2,500. Talk about a savings!

3. New Cars and Trucks

Yes, even the car industry wants to get in on the sales action. Even if you don’t have the budget to give a car as a gift, the new family van may be at a price you can afford. Watch the sales closely in December, because you may want to upgrade now and save.

4. Summer Items

Do you want a new patio set or grill for your porch? Well, anything left over from the summer must go. Ask your local store if they have any items in the back. They are trying to move this stuff so that they can get the Christmas goodies out. You can score a nice swingset for a backyard for about one fourth to one half of the original cost.

5. Video Game Systems

Video games are always a hot ticket gift item. However, when the old version from the previous year is about to be replaced, you can get a steal on the model currently out. For instance, Nintendo is replacing their Switch with an upgraded version in the later part of 2019. So they have reduced the prices on the consoles out in stores now. It’s a win-win for all.

6. Clothes

Whether you want designer duds from the big names or you prefer to go to a department store like Nordstrom Rack for your threads, chances are you can get a good deal. There are plenty of coupons and discounts that are floating around to take advantage of. Why not stock up on your summer wardrobe when things are reduced?

7. Air Conditioners

If you live in a hot climate, you may have thrown out old window units that lost their refrigerant. Since these items are not in demand, it’s the perfect time to replace them. Expect to save around 50 percent off the retail cost by purchasing at the end of the year.

Thinking ahead is always a good thing when it comes to the airline industry. You can book your flight for up to a year in advance when you purchase your ticket during the holidays. Can’t think of a gift for your parents or spouse? Why not give them a round-trip flight to the destination of their dreams?

9. Cruises

Even the cruise industry wants a piece of the holiday pie. You can get fabulous vacation destinations to help you get over the winter blues. Make sure to be flexible on your dates, and the duration of the cruise, to obtain superior savings.

10. Jewelry

Whether you are proposing, replacing a ring, or want to buy something special, then you should take advantage of holiday sales. Plus, if you can wait till after the big day, then prices will be even more affordable.

The best time to shop for Christmas related items is on December 26th. While stores have great sales to lure you in for holiday shopping, they won’t compare to cost the items on clearance after the crowds have gone.

1. It's Safer for You

The biggest benefit of using a credit card to do holiday purchases is that it is safer for you than other methods are. If you use your card, you don't have to walk around with large wads of money in your pocket. You lower the risk of robbery and personal injury that way. You'll then be able to enjoy your time while Holiday browsing at Target, Kohls, Walmart or other public stores without extra worries.

2. You Can Repay in Small Increments

Another excellent reason to do your seasonal shopping with credit cards is that you have the option to pay back the debt slowly. You don't have to give away your entire paycheck. You can just borrow the money by using your credit card and then pay it back each month over time. You can pay for the goods until the next year when it's time to catch the Christmas blowout at Toys "R" Us for your kids.

3. You Get Cashback Bonuses

If you have a credit card that gives cash back bonuses, then you have yet another reason to do all of your shopping with your credit card. Cashback cards give you a certain percent back on your purchases. Depending on the card you have, you may be able to use your cash back to pay your monthly card bill.

4. There's Online Shopping Convenience

You can also do your seasonal shopping online if you use your credit cards. Nothing beats the convenience and the privacy of being able to just shop online for whatever you want. When you're ready to do your rounds of holiday buying, you can visit the website of a popular retail location and take your time. You won't be burdened by long lines, privacy breaches or any other inconveniences. You can take as much time as you need to ensure that you get everything that you want for the closest people to you.

5. It'll Improve Your Credit Score

Finally, it's good to use your credit card for important purchases such as the ones you buy during the holidays. Every time you use your credit card and then make payments on the balance, you improve your credit score. Ultimately, you want to have a credit score that's positive and high enough to whereas you can get the things in life that you desire. Card usage is important, but you also have to remember not to use too much of your credit so that you appear irresponsible. Use your card in moderation, and everything will be just fine. You'll have a happy and stress-free experience during the most family-oriented times of the year.

Now you know why it's beneficial to use your credit card. It's time to start your holiday shopping right now.

Thanksgiving has a reputation for being a stressful holiday, but it doesn't need to be that way. It's possible to have an awesome day with friends and family without totally blowing your budget. Here's a guide to having the ultimate affordable Thanksgiving.

Keep it Simple

Pinterest can be a great source for recipes, but don't hold yourself to an impossible standard or you'll likely end up miserable. Instead, stick to what you either know how to make or can reasonably attempt. Most basic recipes are also very affordable: think mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. If you have a friend that knows how to make fancy dishes, consider enlisting them to supply the showstoppers. To make it even cheaper, you can make it "potluck style" where all the guest bring something to share.

Shop Carefully

Start now to compare prices on your Turkey Day essentials. Most stores publish flyers that are available online or in your local newspaper. You probably won't be able to find everything you need at one store, so keep that in mind while you do your research.

Skip Roasting a Whole Bird
Contrary to common belief, you don’t actually need to roast a whole bird for Turkey Day. Consider roasting some pre-cut pieces of turkey or skip the turkey altogether and purchase a rotisserie chicken from the store.

Have Your Turkey Day Game Plan on Point
One of the biggest steps towards having a cheap Turkey Day? Plan ahead. Make sure you have all the right tools on hand. If you don’t have a roasting pan, relax: there are other ways to cook your turkey. Roasting pans can be expensive to buy since they only get used once or twice a year.

Consider making and freezing most of the essentials ahead of time. It could save some sanity on the big day to know that all you have to do is pop the mashed potatoes and dinner rolls in the oven after you’ve cooked the turkey.

With these tips you’ll be ready to conquer Turkey Day like a champ. It’s easy to impress your guests and stick to a budget at the same time.

Walmart is the king kahuna of deals during the holiday season. Toys, electronics, apparel, and furniture are just some of the hot ticket items shoppers desire. Walmart is set to open the doors early to eager customers who are ready to strike a deal.

Imagine watching the big game on your new 50" smart TV! Best Buy is your ticket to becoming the envy of your friends and family this holiday season. Best Buy is offering outrageous deals on laptops, tablets, and everything digital! Your car rides will be much quieter with your children occupied by their new electronic devices!

Target may not be on your list of top stores to visit for great bargains. However, you will be surprised by all of the amazing sales that are available. You can sign up for free to receive the holiday ad early on their website to be ahead of the game.

As you prepare for holiday shopping, create a game plan in advance to hit all of the top retailers. Go shopping with your friends and family to divide and conquer all of your favorite stores!

Teens love gift cards. This way they can pick out their own style or items they like. They appreciate the chance to be able to shop for themselves and these cards make that possible.

This item doesn't have to be just given in a card though.

Gift cards can be placed between the wrappers of a giant candy bar, put in a gift basket filled with stationary supplies if the teen loves art, or even put in the bottom of a stocking filled with goodies. Again, there are so many unique and fun ways to give this type of gift.

Holiday shopping does not have to be as stressful as it was in the past. With the tips and suggestions outlined in this little shopping guide we hope we have helped to make this holiday season just a little easier!

Modern technology has impacted numerous sectors including retail. This has resulted in many retail lotions closing as the future of shopping shifts to e-commerce. This has placed pressure on the remaining retail locations to adapt or become extinct. Many consumers are choosing to shop online using a computer or mobile device as opposed to visiting a physical store. The expectations of augmented reality will become more sophisticated and impact the online experience. This technology will enable consumers to see exactly how different items will look in their homes. Making purchases online is expected to be voice activated to make the experience even easier.

The Social Experience

The physical retail locations are expected to make the shopping experience of the future along the lines of a town square. The expected offerings include a selection of restaurants and entertainment facilities including theatres, concert halls, electronic and virtual reality arcades and bowling alleys. The retailers must find a way to not only attract new customers but to ensure the existing customers want to return. Many stores are expected to become guide shops where the consumer touches the product they desire and can be educated by the sales associates. Retailers are also expected to use new technologies to obtain more information about their customers, personalize the experience and revolutionize their marketing.

The Independent Locations

The number of independent stores is expected to increase despite the number of retail locations that have closed. The combination of the cloud and mobile based solutions will make it easy to open a new store with a fairly small investment. The option of making a purchase online and picking it up at a retail location is expected to gain in popularity. This will combine online and offline purchases and is tentatively being called click and collect. Checkout lines and cashiers may be replaced with artificial intelligence. This will enable consumers to charge their purchases when they leave while alleviating long lines and wait times.

The Themes

Themes are expected to play a larger role as time passes. This includes flexible payment methods, enhanced customer service, mobile wallets and mobile systems available at the retail locations. Drones are being developed for faster delivery, technology is decreasing the time necessary for product development and environmental and ethics consumer concerns will be addressed. Data security will substantially increase and jobs may be lost to artificial intelligence. The Internet of Things or the connection of devices will become essential for retail operations due to the dramatic increase in the number of consumers shopping with a portable device.

The New Models

The new generations are not interested in the methods used for traditional marketing. This has caused a retail renaissance leading to a disconnection of the consumer experience. Retail is expected to use data as a means of expanding commerce to reengage the consumer. The behavior of the modern consumer makes digital technology necessary for any retail business to survive. The behavior and requirements of the consumer will be analyzed regarding their preferences in the future. This will require new technologies including faster speeds, more convenient purchases and the deployment of physical locations.