Tips to make the most out of Cyber Monday

I have never been one of those persons who wakes up at the crack of dawn to hit the malls on Black Friday. Every year, my aversion to large crowds trumps my need to save money. I can’t bear standing in line for hours just to save a few bucks. So what’s a frugal hermit like me do to – score on Cyber Monday.

No elbow-jabbing, or push-and-shove drama like on Black Friday. On Cyber Monday, I shop in my jammies from the comfort of my home. Here are my best four tips to help you score big and have a pleasant experience.

1. Holiday shoppers beware – Before you start buying, make sure your computer is up to date with an anti-virus and anti-spyware. You don’t want to fall victim to identity theft and have this turn in to a headache later on. When shopping and entering credit card information, make sure your online purchase is secure. There should be a little lock icon on the site when you enter personal information. After the transaction, be wary of any e-mail asking for more personal information. Sites usually won’t ask for personal information through e-mail. Read Bargain Babe’s Cyber Monday guide to safe online shopping guide for more.

2. Browse the web more efficiently – Instead of going to retailers’ websites, use sites that aggregate and compare prices. Make sure to use sites you trust only. Fatwallet.com and CyberMonday.com are some of those sites that make finding Cyber Deals easier. The sites are easy to use. Just type in the product name you are after and the details are at your fingertips.

3. Score free shipping – I hate paying for shipping. Who doesn’t? But there are ways around it. If the retailer allows it, chose to pick up the item at your local store to get free shipping. Many sites are offering free shipping this year to compete with other retailers. Check FreeShipping.org for free shipping coupon codes.

4. Relax – Don’t be in such a rush to buy if you don’t find exactly what you want. Panicky retailers may cut prices even further as Christmas approaches or you can also wait for the after Christmas sales. To stay up to date on sales, make sure to use your social media to hunt for bargains.