It’s shopping season again – the best time to shop at discounts and save money. There’s a lot of excitement about manufacturers and retailers offering a slew of deals and discounts for Cyber Monday, but it can be easy to get swept away in the frenzy of it all. Not only does this result in buyer’s regret, but it could also lead to expensive mistakes, some of which may compromise one’s digital security.

1. Not working with a budget
One of the biggest mistakes people make while shopping on Cyber Monday is overlooking the importance of a budget and shopping list. With so many deals swarming around, many people end up going overboard, often inviting additional debt in the process. 

To avoid dealing with a financial burden, make it a habit to create a realistic budget before the shopping season starts. Stick to it throughout the shopping season. And if possible, budget a little extra to keep room for an unmissable deal.

2. Forgetting to research
Another common mistake many people make is shopping impulsively on Cyber Monday. This could be a big mistake for those working with a limited budget. The solution is easy. Start researching deals and discounts early. Find out what the product’s actual retail price is, as this will give one a better idea of what a good deal on it would be. To do this, one can also rely on third-party price checkers that follow trends throughout the year. 

Create a shopping list, and follow it in an organized manner to save time and money during while shopping. 

3. Waiting until Cyber Monday to shop
Many retailers start their Cyber Monday sales early. This allows buyers to spread out their expenses over a few days, as opposed to cramming everything in one day. So, don’t hold back until Cyber Monday to shop; many of the best deals are live already, head out and make the most of them.

4. Ignoring loyalty programs
Not signing up for newsletters and loyalty programs is a sure-shot way of missing out on the best Cyber Monday deals brands have to offer. Many brands drop early or exclusive access for sales for their members or subscribers, along with additional Cyber Monday perks, allowing customers to save more money on their purchases. 

5. Forgetting to plan for shipping delays
On Cyber Monday, there is a lot of traffic on retailer websites. The increasing number of orders invariably leads to shipping delays, additional fees, or other issues, which could be disheartening. To receive all the orders well before the festivities and to avoid running into this issue, try to shop for early Cyber Monday deals whenever possible. 

6. Using unfamiliar websites
When shopping online on Cyber Monday, one needs to be extremely careful about the authenticity of the website. One way of checking it is by looking for the website’s security status on its URL. Look for sites with a URL that starts with “HTTPS,” as this is an indication that the website encrypts all the data that customers share on the site. 

Avoid shopping from any unfamiliar websites, as they can be malicious. Be on the lookout for misspellings or changed domain names of popular websites as well, as this is a common phishing tactic scammers use (for instance .xyz instead of .com). 

7. Shopping on public Wi-Fi
Public networks are not a safe way of making online transactions. It’s common to find hackers waiting on these networks to find their next target. Shopping online on a public network could mean giving up one’s personal data (like name, address, credit card details, etc.) to these miscreants. 

8. Falling for phishing scams
Phishing scams are rampant around Cyber Monday. One common scam that does the rounds every year is when scammers send out emails with rather tempting offers for the holidays. People often end up clicking on these emails, resulting in viruses and malware taking over their systems. To avoid falling for these scams, do not open any emails or attachments from unverified senders. And remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.

9. Not reading the fine print
Many retailers’ discounts are contingent on a long list of terms and conditions. In some cases, this could mean doing away with warranties, returns, and exchanges. This can cause a problem, especially if one receives a defective product. 

Steer clear of this issue by checking out the fine print before placing the order. Read through the product’s terms and conditions and learn more about their return and exchange policy. If possible, shop with brands that offer extended return and price match policies to ensure one finds the best possible deals.