We’re over halfway through the year, with many of the main sales events already behind us. But with Amazon Prime Day just over a week away, there are still opportunities for you to take advantage of deep discounts on top brands. This year’s Prime Day will take place on July 16 and July 17. However, early deals have already started rolling in, and other retailers like Target and Walmart have launched “anti-Prime Day” competitive sales that you can shop right now to snag massive savings on tech, appliances, summer goods and much more.
When it comes to taking advantage of massive shopping events, a little planning can go a long way in saving you the most amount of green. We’ve got all the dirt on how to really clean up this year, so shrew shoppers should scroll on for all our best tips for Prime Day.
Planning ahead for big sales is a great way to save on products you’re already eyeing as summer reaches full swing and even as we’re prepping for fall. Knowing exactly when you’ll have a chance to score the best deals can help you save hundreds of dollars. We anticipate plenty of top tech like tablets, laptops, TVs and headphones to be 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 those delicious impulse buys (like this Bluetooth meat thermometer my colleague James Bricknell swears by), tracking your wish list and keeping an eagle eye on deals across retailers and shopping events can help those savings add up.
Many Amazon Prime deals have already dropped ahead of the official event, and my team of professional dealhounds and I will continue rounding up the best savings opportunities as we move closer to the big day. However, deals are limited to Prime subscribers, so if you haven’t signed up yet, now is a great time to consider doing so. There are plenty of perks to Amazon Prime membership aside from exclusive deals.
In the meantime, let’s break down the major shopping events to expect for the remainder of the year, so you can get planning.
All the remaining major sales and deals of 2024
When planning, you’ll want to keep the year’s biggest sales at the forefront of your mind. Different items hit low prices at different times. We’ve broken down what to expect through the rest of the year and have highlighted the best time to snag certain types of products.
Amazon Prime Day: The first Prime Day event of the year takes place in July and usually has 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 access the sale without a Prime subscription.
Labor Day: During the fall event, you’ll find end-of-season sales on patio furniture, grills, yard tools and gardening supplies, summer apparel, laptops, TVs and mattresses.
Amazon Prime Day 2: Amazon has launched a Prime Day-like event in the fall for a few years and we anticipate this trend will continue, with deals on major electronics and home goods leading up to the holiday sales season. Multiple retailers including Best Buy, Target and Walmart have also started launching early deals to compete with Amazon.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: What used to be two different shopping events has undergone a transformation over the years and has now morphed into a weeklong event of incredible deals for shoppers looking for discounts on everything from TVs, video game consoles, laptops and other top tech to apparel, fitness equipment, home goods, small appliances, toys and more, both online and in-store. Check out our guide on the pros and cons of doing your Black Friday shopping online or in person. Additionally, be sure to familiarize yourself with major retailers’ holiday return policies when you’re buying gifts for others, just in case.
Even the best of us bargain hunters can’t always plan everything out in advance. If you do run up against shipping deadlines, especially during the holiday season, you can use options like in-store pickup to ensure you get your hands on those last-minute buys in time.
How to make sure you’re getting 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 marketed as one. We’ve got the scoop on everything from expert advice to price comparison tools that can help you stay informed and verify deals without spending a ton of time researching on your own.
Join our texting group: CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Get deals delivered right to your phone during the lead-up and throughout the whole 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 that you can get the best deal.
Sign up for the CNET Deals newsletter: If you want to stay up to date on all of the best deals and savings opportunities throughout the year, including major shopping events, our deals newsletter is a great place to start.
Also, keep abreast of the most current deals by following live event coverage through CNET’s live blogs, where we will round up the best live deals and update according to price fluctuations and availability, as some deals are only available for a very limited window of time.
Shopping tips to make the most of internet 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 onto more of your cash.
Plan to shop major shopping events: If you’re looking for ways to save cash on big-ticket items, your best bet will often be to shop during major shopping events throughout the year. Often retailers will compete with one another, which may drive down the price of popular items. Some of the best shopping events of the year center around three-day weekends or other annual events and holidays. Keeping a calendar of upcoming days can help remind you to look for price cuts or take time to shop when the deals are likely to be the highest. Being prepared can help you score doorbusters before they sell out. Signing up for some of the services mentioned above can also help you track these dates.
Set a budget before the event: While it can be exciting to find a surprise deal on something you didn’t expect, be aware of your spending habits. Budget for the things you would definitely like to have, and go ahead and set aside a little cushion in your budget for those impulse buys that may crop up. As you shop, be sure to keep track of your spending so that you stick to your maximum spending allowance. It’s never fun to be in a bind from overspending.
Look for ways to skip shipping fees: Multiple retailers offer ways to save on shipping, whether that’s a minimum cost threshold, a membership perk (check out these little-known Amazon Prime perks) or even taking advantage of in-store or curbside pickup. By taking the time to find ways to skip shipping costs, you’ll ensure that the savings you earn stay in your pocket instead of getting absorbed into costly shipping and handling fees.
Check for extra savings opportunities: Sometimes you can find additional coupons or promo codes to maximize your savings. You can also become a member for added perks at many retailers. Some cost money to join, like the My Best Buy Plus and Total tiers, but others may be 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. Here’s How to Keep Your Packages Safe
For more shopping tips to help you score the best deals and shop smarter, check out CNET Shopping Tips. We have plenty of advice for getting the most for your money major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Wayfair and more.
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