Cyber Monday is not as far away as it seems. In just a few weeks, shoppers can grab early-bird deals and start saving money on their purchases. While shopping season sales tempt one into grabbing as many deals as they can, planning ahead can help one avoid overspending or missing good discounts. So, one can make the most of the biggest online shopping event of the year by considering the following hacks:

Make a plan
One can start by exploring previous Cyber Monday sales to know the kind of discounts they can expect. Looking for price drop trends for popular products and stores that offer some of the best deals can help one make a shopping list and be prepared to act quickly when the sales go live. One should not underestimate the power of a well-thought-out strategy to score good deals on Cyber Monday.

Consider newsletters and loyalty programs
Staying in the loop and being one of the first few people to know about exclusive deals is a great advantage. One can get updates on early-bird discounts by signing up for newsletters and joining loyalty programs offered by certain brands and retailers. Such customers can get access to exclusive coupon codes and discounts, giving them a head start on grabbing the best offers. Moreover, weekly or monthly brand newsletters can contain useful information about upcoming sales and promotions, so one can easily plan for their Cyber Monday shopping spree.

Download browser extensions for discounts
One can find hidden discounts or coupons by downloading extensions that work on finding deals across sites. These extensions can automatically look for discounts and coupon codes while one shops, ensuring they get the best possible price for all desired items. The browser extensions help save time and effort by searching for deals so that one can focus on adding the perfect items to the cart.

Compare prices
Before making a purchase decision on Cyber Monday, one should compare prices for all the products they are considering across different websites. Retailers may offer the same item at different prices, so it is essential to do some research. Here, one can use price comparison websites or simply open multiple tabs to check the prices on different platforms. This will help them find the best deal and get the most value for their money. So, some additional effort in comparing prices can lead to significant savings on Cyber Monday.

Look for coupon codes
Promo codes can be the secret weapon to unlocking even bigger discounts on Cyber Monday. Before making a purchase, one should make the final effort to look up coupon codes, even if the brand is offering a sitewide discount. Certain coupons or promo codes can offer additional discounts, cashback, free shipping, or even exclusive deals. There are various websites dedicated to finding and sharing promo codes. So, with just a few clicks, one could save even more during the shopping season.

Shop in incognito mode
Retailers can track online behavior and use that information to show ads based on previous searches. However, shopping in incognito mode helps keep the browsing activity private, at times making one eligible for deals or discounts unavailable to them due to their browsing history. 

Look for free shipping
One of the best ways to maximize savings on Cyber Monday is to take advantage of free shipping deals. Many retailers provide free shipping as an incentive to shop with them. So one should keep an eye out for free shipping deals to avoid paying additional fees for discounted products.

Shop early
To maximize savings and beat the sale day rush, starting early is crucial. So, one should browse and add items to their cart or shortlist them before the big day arrives. One can also make the most of pre-Cyber Monday sales or limited-time offers. By shopping early, one has a better chance of snagging the best deals before the products sell out.

Read return policies
While shopping on Cyber Monday, one should read the return policies of the stores. While getting great deals is the goal, sometimes a purchase may not work as expected. Knowing the return and exchange policies beforehand can help one deal with unwanted surprises and disappointments. One should consider opting for stores with flexible policies that allow easy returns and exchanges. Additionally, it is important to learn about restocking fees or time restrictions on returns. Understanding store policies can help ensure a hassle-free shopping experience and give one peace of mind if they want to return a product they do not want.

Make the most of credit card rewards
While making a purchase, one should consider using a credit card that offers additional rewards or cashback on the transaction. Many cards offer special rewards during the holiday season, allowing one to save even more money on products.