5 Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips + a Cricket Wireless Giveaway!

{This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Cricket Wireless and Latina Bloggers Connect}

I wish I could say that I have all of my Christmas shopping done…and baking…and cooking. The reality is that I’ll likely be up late Christmas Eve (a repeat of last year) putting the finishing touches on holiday gifts for my family.  You’re likely thinking that I may be challenged with limited stock, price increases, and lengthy lines but I do in fact have a plan! Many brands know that families just like you and I often find ourselves right here…5 days before Christmas still in need of a present…or 5! So here are my BEST last-minute holiday shopping tips:

1. Do Your Homework. Even if you aren’t accustomed to comparison shopping, it will save you time and money to browse your local retailer’s ads for items you are looking to purchase. Many retailers display their weekly ads online, making it very convenient to easily do this research from the comfort of your home.  You can also download a price comparison app like Red Laser or ShopSavvy to quickly check prices while you’re shopping.

Photo: Brandbook

2. Make a List (and a Budget). Then stick to them! I am the queen of making lists and this is how I ensure I get everything done and purchased when my time is limited. To avoid impulse purchases, remember to stick to your list and if you really think an item is priced competitively, refer to your smart phone app to verify its validity as a “good deal.”

Photo: SpringWools

3. Shop Online. In most instances, you can still find similar deals online while avoiding the chaos of physical stores in these last few days leading up to Christmas. What you’ll save as far as time, gas, and your sanity will be worth it if you simply stick to shopping online. Remember to refer to retailers’ shipping deadlines to ensure your gift will arrive on time without having to pay excessive shipping costs.

4.  Think Outside of the Box.  Do you have a talent? Enjoy baking or cooking?  Consider how much time you have and determine whether or not you could put together a simple DIY gift that may include a few store-bought items.

Photo: geralt

5. Give a Gift Card. When all else fails and you’re not sure what to purchase your loved one, you will always get it right with a gift card. Many retailers are offering gift card bonuses which will still allow you to maximize the amount of money you’re spending.

With these 5 time and money-saving shopping tips, my hope is that you’ll stick to your budget and perhaps have something left over for yourself! I’ve already budgeted some money to upgrade my camera this year, but with these extra savings, I may have the ability to also upgrade my smartphone!

The number of smart phone plans available today seems endless, which is why I like to do my own research and comparison shopping. Cricket Wireless offers 3 simple plans starting as low as $35/month for 1 GG of data, $45/month for 3 GB of data and $55/ month for 10 GB of data after a $5 Auto Pay credit. You decide which plan works for your lifestyle and only pay that amount each month. Since you aren’t locked into a contract, you have ultimate flexibility. One thing to take note of is that if stick with Cricket Wireless for at least 12 months (and make each monthly payment), you will receive a free 4G LTE Smart Phone! To learn more about their holiday promotion, visit their website.

Cricket Wireless and Latina Bloggers Connect are giving you something to smile about, this holiday season, with an amazing line-up of affordable devices and plans AND the opportunity to win a free smartphone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner can activate their service at a local Cricket Wireless store or in select GameStop and Walmart stores nationwide.

Be sure to connect with Cricket Wireless on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #ConMiCricket.

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.

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