As if the holidays aren’t hectic enough, there’s the financial aspect to consider. Americans are notorious for going into debt during the holiday season. In 2023, Americans took on an average of $1,028 in holiday debt, and that number is expected to go up due to the record levels of debt experts are citing in 2024.

Fortunately, all of us have access to savvier shopping. Today’s app landscape offers platforms that can help you save more cash this season. If you use your phone to shop,  you can easily access the best shopping apps right from your phone. Use a variety of price comparison apps, coupon sites, cash back providers, and more. You can even find deals on secondhand  shopping apps - and don’t forget to double up with coupons and cash back!

Key Takeaways:

• It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not - promise! There are apps to help you score the best deals, get cash back, and discover secondhand treasures. Check out app suggestions in the article.
• Try the Flipp app, Honey, or Rakuten to get real savings and dollars delivered right to your PayPal account. View our list of suggested apps in the article.
• Maximize your savings with smart features like the price comparison tools, cashback rewards, and promo code finders to get the most out of your shopping budget.

Deal-Finding Apps

The variety of apps available caters to different shopping needs, from cash-back deals to one-of-a-kind items, making it easier than ever to enhance your shopping experience. However, if you only want to keep track of one sort of app, you’ll probably save the most cash over the long-term with price comparison apps or apps designed to help you monitor and find the best prices on your favorite products.

Finding the best deals has never been easier, thanks to these innovative apps designed to help you save.

Flipp

The Flipp app works by aggregating weekly ads and flyers from numerous retailers, allowing users to browse and compare deals in one convenient place. It’s primarily geared toward grocery savings, but you can also use it at stores like Walmart, Target, or Best Buy to check off your Christmas list. Feeling overwhelmed by "too many sales" to track? Flipp helps you cut through the clutter so you can make better shopping decisions and stick to your budget. You can make lists—like a colleague gift list—find matching deals, and check items off one by one. With tools like the Shopping List to organize deals by store and the Watch List to track price drops and notify you of new deals, Flipp makes it easy to stay organized and save money. Whether you’re shopping for a new coffee machine on Black Friday or tackling holiday gifts, Flipp keeps you in-the-know with the latest deals from your favorite stores.

CamelCamelCamel

You probably use Amazon for some of your shopping, and it's easy to go nuts there as the holidays approach. However, the pricing on Amazon changes frequently depending on several factors. CamelCamelCamel is a must-have for anyone looking to track price changes on Amazon. It allows users to set price alerts for specific products, ensuring they can buy at the perfect time. This is really handy for parents whose kids have a lengthy Christmas list; setting up alerts early means you can take advantage of lots of sales events like Black Friday.

Honey

Another powerful deal-finding app, Honey automatically applies coupon codes at checkout, helping you snag discounts without the hassle of searching for promo codes manually. It’s a browser extension that finds and applies coupon codes at checkout with a single click. Honey is also a PayPal company, so it’s backed by some of the best brains in tech and you know it’s reliable. You can also earn rewards to put toward must-have items, and take advantage of events like double cash back. If you are a natural bargain-hunter, you can save a lot of time using Honey instead of tracking down deals.

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Cash Back Apps

You’re going to shop anyway, so why not make a little extra something on the side? Cash back apps offer a great way to earn money while you shop.

Rakuten

Rakuten.ca isn’t just one of the most popular cash-back apps, it’s one of the best shopping apps in general. This app allows users to earn money at over 750 of participating retailers. Using the app, you can not only see various deals and coupons to find the best deal, you get a percent of your purchase back. You can cash out your earnings via PayPal or a mailed cheque. With a friendly user-interface, the app also offers a referral program and lots of special events to help you earn even more. We suggest adding the browser extension to automatically search for cash back opportunities every time you shop.

Honey

This PayPal company stands out as one of the most popular cash-back platforms, providing users with a percentage of their purchases back when they shop at partner stores. Above, we mentioned Honey’s great deal-finding capabilities, but you can also accumulate rewards on the purchases you do make. It’s an excellent option for people who love to save money but don’t have time to hunt down deals.

Secondhand and Unique Finds

For those on the hunt for unique items or secondhand treasures, several apps cater specifically to this niche. Before you dismiss the idea of buying something second-hand, remember it’s the thought that counts to your gift-receiver. 80% of people believe personalized gifts are more thoughtful than non-personalized gifts, and 42% plan to buy more personalized gifts in the future. That means you might have more luck looking in some unusual places for that special something that they won’t get anywhere else. Here are some of the best apps for creative and curated gifts at a great price.

Etsy

The perfect choice for discovering handmade and vintage goods from independent sellers, Etsy offers a vast selection of unique products that you won't find in traditional stores. It’s grown in popularity in recent years, because people love getting (and gifting) one-of-a-kind items that no one else will have. From jewelry to custom prints, from needlework kits to intricate wood-working - almost anything that a person can create can be found on Etsy. This includes vintage treasures that might normally be found in an antique market.

Poshmark

The perfect app for the luxury lovers in your life, Poshmark focuses on fashion. It allows users to buy and sell secondhand clothing and accessories, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious fashionistas. It’s a smart place to look for high-end designers, as many people sell hardly used or even unused items with the tags on them. We found several bags from Valentino, Gucci, and other labels that were brand new with tags attached, being sold at a discount.

Kijiji

Kijiji is a popular online classifieds platform, boasting millions of live ads across a wide range of categories. Designed to facilitate simple selling, this app is packed with features that let users buy, sell, or trade local goods right from your device. You can look for houses, cars, and everyday items. This allows people to make money from unused items in their home, while other users get a great deal on the exact thing they were hoping for. You can also find jobs, rental properties, and more.

VarageSale

This online garage sale brings the prices of your favorite yard sale to your fingertips. You can perform a local search to find used items in your city using VarageSale. A large platform for local classifieds, you can find everything from furniture to electronics at a fraction of the retail price.

OfferUp

OfferUp is another valuable tool for finding pre-owned items in your area, helping you save money while being environmentally conscious. Marketed as the biggest mobile marketplace for local buyers and sellers, you can list items in just 30 seconds and use the search functionality to find the perfect item. You can message people securely from within the app and leverage the safety features to know who you’re dealing with.

5 Tips for Maximizing Deals in Shopping and Saving Apps

Research shows that people are getting more excited about the best shopping apps, with 80% of millennials using grocery, drug, or mass savings apps when picking up products. And, as we all know, the holidays often represent a shopping spree. Use a combination of these technologies and tips to ensure you’re not filled with buyers remorse.

To truly make the most of the apps we recommend, consider implementing the following tips:

Combine Cashback and Coupons

Use Rakuten, Honey, or Flipp alongside traditional coupons to double your savings. By stacking these offers, you can maximize your discounts. Some of the apps, like Rakuten, make this especially easy showing you which coupons are available as well as giving you a cash back link to shop from. You’ll get the benefit of the coupon along with a bit of the purchase amount to cash in later.

Set Alerts and Track Prices

Savvy travelers have used price alerts for flights for years, and it’s catching on for consumer goods, too. Utilize price comparison apps like CamelCamelCamel to set price alerts on big-ticket items, helping you track and compare shopping prices with ease. This way, you can purchase when the price drops to its lowest point. You can also explore the settings of your device or operating system to set up alerts on some platforms. For example, you can use these instructions to track specific product prices in Google.

Shop During Sales Events

Lots of stores and apps use certain days or events to ramp up attention. For example, Rakuten often doubles cash back on certain sites, like Omaha Steaks (originally 2% cash back) going up to 8% cash back. Keep an eye on apps for special deals during major sales events such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday, where discounts can be significantly larger. You may also want to sign up for the app’s newsletter so that you get notices of these special events. That way you don’t have to watch for savings so closely - you’ll get notified in your inbox when bonuses are available. Using our Omaha Steaks example, if the website offers a Black Friday sale with 50% off, and Rakuten offers 8% back, you’ll get $100 off of a $200 package, plus $8 in your cash-back account - all from one app!

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Be Mindful of Shipping Costs

Have you ever felt excited about your online shopping trip, only to get to checkout and discover that shipping costs are equal to the price of the products? This is very common and shipping prices have only increased in recent years. When purchasing second hand items from Kijiji, Poshmark, or Etsy, remember that shipping costs can impact your total expenses. Factor this into your budget. For other websites, try to keep an eye out for shipping specials or coupons that can reduce those costs.

Use Safety Tips for Second Hand Purchases

If you do decide to grab something previously owned, make sure to keep security in mind. Always meet in public places when buying second hand items and verify the condition of items before completing your purchase. Don’t share banking information on your device, even through a secure messaging app. You also don’t want to share much about your daily schedule, such as saying you’re always home on Wednesdays or you will be on vacation next week. If possible, buy items through an app that offers some consumer protections, like Poshmark, rather than on Facebook Marketplace or another platform where you’re on your own.

Streamline Your Shopping Experience

Finally, if it feels overwhelming to think about adding all these apps, never fear. The Shift browser can make your overall shopping experience seamless. Start simple by adding each of these apps to your browser.

All the apps mentioned can be integrated into Shift, allowing you to create a dedicated "Shopping Workspace." With Shift, you can access Rakuten, CamelCamelCamel, Etsy, Poshmark, and more—all in one place. You'll receive notifications and updates, keeping you informed about the best deals.

Even better than keeping things easily accessible, Shift keeps everything neatly organized, enabling you to switch between apps effortlessly. Track price drops, stay on top of sales, and manage your shopping without the usual tab clutter. No more jumping between browser tabs and apps—use a one-stop-shop for all your deal-hunting needs.

By utilizing deal-finding, cash back, and secondhand shopping apps - combined with saving strategies and the Shift browser - you can maximize your money at the holidays. Get ready to transform your shopping experience into one that is efficient, enjoyable, and budget-friendly. Happy shopping!

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