Amazon Prime Day is nearly here, and the holiday shopping season is about to ramp up.
For many shoppers, it’ll be tempting to begin holiday buying with the bargains available during Amazon’s yearly Prime Day event, which falls on Oct. 13 and 14 this year. Expect substantial markdowns on electronics like TVs, Apple gadgets, speakers, headphones, Fitbits and smart-home gear.
But don’t let impulse purchases send your budget into the red. The average American shells out more than $900 on holiday spending each year, and Prime Day sales are projected to near $10 billion this time around.
All that discounted tech is alluring, especially for gifts, but we’ve got a few tips to help you tuck away some cash and ensure your Prime Day buys don’t blow your budget.
1. Trade Textbooks for Amazon Credit
Still holding on to old college textbooks? You could host a yard sale or list them on Craigslist, but one of the simplest routes is to use Amazon.
With Amazon Trade-In, you can exchange used textbooks — along with other items such as electronics — for an Amazon gift card.
Plug the item details into Amazon’s Trade-In page to see the offer you’ll receive. Shipping is covered.
2. Declutter Your Closet
Take a close look at your wardrobe while you’re at it. Over time, you’ve likely amassed items you no longer need. Sort through your belongings and, if something hasn’t been used in a while, sell it to make extra money.
You don’t have to deal with the hassle of a garage sale either. Try selling items online. Offer clothing and other odds and ends to people nearby using an app like Letgo.
Or if you’ve got old CDs, DVDs — or even used phones — consider selling them to a service like Decluttr. Scan the barcodes with the app, print a free shipping label, pack them up and send them off.
You may be surprised at how much extra cash you can generate simply by tidying up!
3. Check If the Government Owes You Money
The government might be holding more than just stimulus funds for you. State treasuries across the U.S. have held over $40 billion in unclaimed property at times.
To find out if you have unclaimed funds, search with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. (Be cautious — there are many impostor sites. Make sure you’re using legitimate sources.)
One reader of Savinly, Kelli Howell, ran a quick search and discovered unclaimed money in her husband’s name. It was only $56 from an old insurance payout, but that unexpected refund is still welcome.
4. Earn Money Delivering Food
Jobs are competitive right now, but food delivery demand is surging. People staying home grow tired of cooking and increasingly opt for takeout. That’s where you can step in.
Apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats will pay you to pick up and drop off meals on your own schedule. All you need is your preferred mode of transport and a smartphone.
You’ll deliver orders like coffee from Starbucks or meals from Chipotle, Chick-fil-A or Five Guys. You choose your hours and work as much or as little as you like, so your earnings are in your hands.
Bottom line: If you want to go big this holiday season, how will you fund it? Prime Day is a chance to kick off your gift buying with bargains. Use these strategies to help cover those tempting purchases without wrecking your finances!
