Your Money: Great Ways to Save
HOLIDAY TECH
Bundle at big-box stores.
Warehouse stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club often offer value on electronic purchases by bundling multiple items together. For example, you might get free headphones along with a smartphone, or extra cameras to go with a video doorbell.
Know your price-matching policies.
Some retailers, including Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy, have price-matching policies, in which they’ll match a competitor’s lower price or give you the difference in price if a product goes on sale a few days after you’ve purchased it. There are restrictions to the policies, such as excluding sales events, so make sure you read the fine print.
Hold out for gaming discounts.
Like other toys, gaming consoles and video games tend to sell at greater discounts as the holidays approach. The longer you wait, the better price you may get, but selection and availability may diminish later in the month.
Go for the last-generation device.
Apple recently introduced its iPhone 15 and Google its Pixel 8. That means a decreased demand for the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7, so many retailers have dropped prices on those phones.
Consider refurbished.
You can save even more on late-generation phones or other devices by purchasing certified refurbished products. Many large online retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Apple sell secondhand phones that have gone through a testing and repair process. Amazon and Best Buy provide a 90-day warranty on such products, while Apple’s lasts for a full year.
Skip the extended warranty.
Many retailers will try to sell you an extended warranty with electronics purchases, but it’s rarely worth it. And you might already have an extended warranty through your credit card.