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We’re halfway through the year, with many of the major sales events already behind us. But with Amazon Prime Day just a week away, there are still opportunities to take advantage of big discounts on top brands. This year’s Prime Day takes place on 16th of July And July 17. The first deals have already started rolling in, however, with other retailers like Target and Walmart launching “anti-Prime Day” competing sales where you can shop right now to score huge discounts on tech, appliances, summer gear, and more.
When it comes to taking advantage of huge shopping events, a little planning can go a long way in saving the most amount of green. We’ve got all the information on how to really clean up this year, so savvy shoppers should keep scrolling for all of our top Prime Day tips.
Planning ahead for big sales is a great way to save on the products you’ve been eyeing as summer gets into full swing and we gear up for fall. Knowing exactly when to score the best deals can save you hundreds of dollars. We expect to see a lot of top tech like tablets, laptops, TVs, and headphones on sale for Prime Day, as well as everyday essentials and school supplies. You’ll also find tons of deals on Amazon’s own devices, including smart speakers and displays, security cameras, tablets, and more.
Even when it comes to smaller purchases or indulgent impulse buys (like this Bluetooth meat thermometer that my colleague James Bricknell swears by), you can save big by keeping track of your wish list and keeping a close eye on deals at retailers and shopping events.
Plenty of Amazon Prime deals have already dropped ahead of the official event, and my team of professional deal hounds and I will continue to round up the best savings opportunities as the big day approaches. Deals are limited to Prime subscribers, however, so if you haven’t signed up yet, now’s a good time to consider doing so. There are plenty of perks to being an Amazon Prime member, in addition to exclusive deals.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at the key shopping events you can expect for the rest of the year so you can start making plans.
All the remaining big sales and deals of 2024
When planning, you want to focus on the biggest sales of the year. Different items are low at different times. We’ve outlined what you can expect the rest of the year and highlighted the best times to get your hands on certain types of products.
Amazon Prime Day: The first Prime Day event of the year takes place in July and typically features discounts across every category, including tech, everyday essentials, and school supplies. You’ll also find deals on some of Amazon’s own devices, including smart speakers and displays, security cameras, tablets, and everyday essentials. This is a Prime-exclusive sale, meaning you’ll need a membership to shop. You can participate in the sale without a Prime subscription.
Labour Day: During the autumn event you will find end-of-season sales on garden furniture, barbecues, garden tools and garden supplies, summer clothing, laptops, TVs and mattresses.
Amazon Prime Day 2: Amazon has been running a Prime Day-like event in the fall for a few years now, and we expect that trend to continue, with deals on major electronics and home goods in the run-up to the holiday sales. Several retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, have also started running early deals to compete with Amazon.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: What was once two separate shopping events has undergone a transformation over the years and has now transformed into a week-long event with incredible deals for shoppers looking for discounts on everything from TVs, video game consoles, laptops and other top tech to clothing, fitness equipment, home goods, small appliances, toys and more, both online and in-store. Check out our guide to the pros and cons of shopping online vs. in-person on Black Friday . Additionally, make sure you familiarize yourself with major retailers’ return policies during the holiday season when buying gifts for others, just in case.
Even the best bargain hunters can’t always plan ahead. If you do find yourself facing shipping deadlines, especially during the holidays, you can use options like in-store pickup to ensure you get your last-minute purchases in time.
How to make sure you get the best deals
While everyone loves getting a good deal, it can be hard to know which deals are a steal and which are just being touted as such. We’ve got the scoop on everything from expert advice to price comparison tools that can help you stay informed and verify deals without having to spend a ton of time researching yourself.
Join our SMS group: CNET Deals texts are free, easy, and save you money. Get deals delivered straight to your phone leading up to and throughout the event.
Compare prices with CNET Shopping: CNET Shopping (formerly known as PriceBlink) is CNET’s in-house price comparison extension for your web browser. It’s a great way to find price history information so you can get the best deal.
Sign up for the CNET Deals newsletter: If you want to stay up to date with the best offers and savings opportunities throughout the year, including key shopping events, our offers newsletter is a great place to start.
Also, stay up to date on the latest deals by following live event coverage via CNET’s live blogs. There, we compile the best live deals and provide updates based on price fluctuations and availability. Some deals are only available for a very limited time.
Shopping tips to make the most of online sales
Money is a finite resource, and finding the balance between spending and saving can be a challenge. Here are some shopping tips that can help you get the things you need while holding on to more of your money.
Plan to shop at major shopping events: If you’re looking for ways to save money on big-ticket items, your best bet is often to shop during major shopping events throughout the year. Often, retailers compete with each other, which can drive down the price of popular items. Some of the best shopping events of the year are centered around three-day weekends or other annual events and holidays. Keeping a calendar of upcoming dates can help you remember to look for price drops or take the time to shop when deals are likely to be at their peak. Being prepared can help you score doorbusters before they sell out. Signing up for some of the services mentioned above can also help you keep track of these dates.
Set a budget before the event: While it can be exciting to find a surprising deal on something you weren’t expecting, you should be aware of your spending habits. Budget for the things you absolutely want and go ahead and set aside a little bit in your budget for those impulse buys that may pop up. When you’re shopping, keep track of your spending so that you stick to your maximum spending limit. It’s never fun to get into trouble for overspending.
Find ways to avoid shipping costs: Several retailers offer ways to save on shipping, whether that’s a minimum cost threshold, a membership benefit (check out these little-known Amazon Prime benefits ), or even taking advantage of in-store or curbside pickup. Taking the time to find ways to skip shipping ensures that the savings you earn stay in your pocket instead of being rolled into costly shipping and handling fees.
Check for additional savings opportunities: Sometimes you can find extra coupons or promo codes to maximize your savings. You can also become a member for extra benefits at many retailers. Some cost money to join, such as the My Best Buy Plus and Total tiers, but others are free to join and still offer exclusive rewards, benefits, or discounts that make it worth signing up.
Read more: Put an end to Porch Pirates. Keep your packages safe
For more shopping tips on scoring the best deals and shopping smarter, check out CNET Shopping Tips. We’ve got plenty of advice for getting the most for your money at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Wayfair and more.
