Following the fervor of Black Friday, the Cyber Monday shopping fest takes center stage with its unbeatable deals on the retail playground. From gadgets to clothing, online and offline stores compete to offer shoppers the best deals across categories. So, for shoppers to enjoy a hassle-free experience during the sale frenzy, it is best to prepare and strategize ahead of the sale time. Thus, here are ten hacks that one can use to make the most of the shopping season.

Plan and prioritize the budget
One of the most important tips one should follow before looking out for Cyber Monday (or any sale for that matter) deals is setting a budget. In all the excitement during the sale season, one can quickly lose track of things and overspend. Hence, to avoid such sticky financial situations, it is best for shoppers to make a list of things they wish to buy according to their needs. This way, they can prioritize the budget and prevent financial downfall.

Don’t stick to one store or location
The Cyber Monday sale madness will be seen everywhere. So, instead of sticking to just one website or store, it is better to diversify the search and keep checking different websites. To be even more efficient, shoppers can make use of price comparison apps like BuyVia, and ShopSavvy to know where they are getting the best deals for their favorite products.

Check out the pre-sale prices
Many retailers share their pre-sale prices ahead of the sale day. They even lower their prices 24 hours before the sale starts. Once the products are listed, check the prices for a particular product across different brands and marketplaces. So once the Cyber Monday sale begins, it will be easier to find out which store and brand is offering a better deal on those products.

Get everyone in the family to help
Shopping during the Cyber Monday sale, even though it’s online, can still be quite intense. Products can run out of stock quickly, or there could be limited-time offers at different stores. So to ensure that the pre-planned list is covered, it is best to get help from family members. One can assign one or two stores to each of them so that they will be able to check for deals on a range of products efficiently.

Stay logged in to the websites
The online stores may keep updating and posting new deals every hour or every few hours throughout the day. So, to get the best deals and discounts across different products, it is better to stay logged in to the websites or the apps of the online stores. 

Utilize cashback apps
Why buy when one can buy and also get paid for it? Well, only part of the amount, but there are cashback apps that give cash rewards for certain purchases. When there are multiple products to purchase, a sale day is the best time to utilize these apps and get as many cash rewards as possible. Some cashback apps are Checkout 51, Rakuten, Dosh, and more.

Subscribe to newsletters
Many online stores and websites have newsletters that shoppers can subscribe to and get updates ahead of sale day. These newsletters announce exclusive deals and limited-time offers beforehand, which can greatly help one to snag their favorite products.

Stay updated on social media
Another tried and tested way to discover certain deals is to stay connected to brands and online stores via their social media pages. This is because brands and online stores announce upcoming deals and offers only on their networking platforms to gain maximum traffic. So, this can be a great advantage for shoppers.

Don’t miss the early bird deals
Like enthusiastic shoppers, stores and marketplaces also prepare themselves before the sale begins. They offer special offers and early bird discounts on many products across categories. These deals are mostly launched early morning on the sale day. So, those who missed out on offers on Black Friday can grab this golden opportunity. One can wake up early and look for deals on websites or nearby departmental stores to bag their favorite products.

Don’t forget to check the return policies
Retailers have stringent return and refund policies during the sale period. Many times, shoppers tend to overlook these details in the midst of the crazy shopping period. As a result, people have to deal with low-quality products after purchase without any options. Hence, it is important to check a brand’s return and refund policy before making a purchase.

Finally, one must be aware of online security when making payments during the sale period. This can help one have a great Cyber Monday shopping experience and avoid falling prey to potential scams or unethical cyber crimes.