Christmas is just around the corner, you can deny it as much as you’d like but the fact is as I write this article there are only 95 squares on the calendar until the big day arrives. Why am I talking about Christmas at the end of September? Well, the funny part is that as retailers are putting up their decorations I’m telling you how to keep that cash IN YOUR POCKET! It may seem like I’m on their side pumping you up for the shopping season but the reality is I’m their anti-thesis. This Christmas season I’m going to help you gift give in style! We’re talking Christmas in September because the #1 key to frugal living is to be prepared. This article isn’t going to be packed with crafty at-home do-it-yourself cookie mixes in a jar, not because they’re lame gifts (I <3 them!) but because I haven’t a crafty fiber in my body!
What is Group Buying?
The idea behind the concept of Group Buying is simple – if we can get a big enough group to buy your product or service will you give us a discount? This year Group Buying has boomed and there are companies doing the bidding for us. The deals are offered online for a very limited time, typically only 24 hours – it’s buy now or you can kiss the savings goodbye type of deals. The savings are huge with discounts upwards of 90% off!
What kind of deals will we see?
The hottest deal I’ve seen so far this year was offered by the leading Group Buy site – Groupon. They offered a nationwide deal for the GAP, you could buy a $50 certificate for only $25. I think they even surprised themselves selling over 11 million dollars to over 441,000 Groupon buyers. The deal was HOT and it opened the eyes of many people across the nation to the idea of Group Buying.
Geographic & Socially Targeted Offers
We’re seeing a desire from people and businesses to keep it local and these sites are jumping on board with deals targeted to specific cities and even to specific audiences. For example Savvy Savings and Juice in the City, and Plum District are all targeting moms with children, bringing them deals on activities, memberships, and services that target families with young children. These sites have a search by city function where you can find a deal in your area. There are also a few sties that focus on online deals, shopping from the comfort of your home like Eversave who recently had a deal where you could buy $18 worth of speciality nuts and snacks from The Nutty Guys for only $1! Another deal that sold like crazy from Eversave was $26 worth of eco-friendly, non-toxic products for kids and babies for as low as $8.
Why should you Group Buy?
If you’re on a budget this year for Christmas or if you simply want to cut back, you have the opportunity to get a killer deal on a massage for your best friend or a personalized photo bag for grandma. Sure you could pay $50 for pedicure/manicure gift certificate for your sister but why should you when you can get a the same deal for $12! Yes…$12 I just bought a local deal through Groupon for a popular salon in my area. My daughter and I will be treating ourselves for pennies on the dollar, why wait until Christmas at that price?!
Where can I find these deals?
I compile the best local and online deals on a daily basis on The Frugal Find and have created a special category to find these deals quickly – Online Deals. I’ve compiled a list of all the Group Buy sites that I personally recommend over HERE with a description of the site and what kind of deals they’ll offer you. Now be prepared to Group Buy your way to Christmas and gift give guilt free!
Here is an example of a HOT DEAL ALERT good today (9/23) If you have little ones, you’ll want to head on over to Plum District and buy the deal of the day – $20 for $40 worth of products at Diapers.com!
To help you get started on your Group Buying adventure I’ll be giving away a $25 Groupon Certificate to one lucky TCM reader!
Enter to win:
- Sign up for at least 1 Group Buy site.
- Comment and let us know which one you chose and why.
- Follow @thefrugalfind & @thecreativemama on Twitter
This giveaway will end tonight 9/23 at 9pm PST.
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