5 Ways to Save Money Shopping for Mother's Day

There are a lot of ways to show Mom your love and appreciation without breaking the bank this Mother's Day. Planning ahead and shopping around are two of the best ways you can save money on Mother's Day gifts. Of course, knowing where to shop in the first place doesn't hurt, either. Here are five ways to save money when shopping for the perfect Mother's Day gift.

1. Shop locally first.

This might be a given to some people, but you'd be surprised how many consumers overlook coupons, discounts and promotions from local, non-chain merchants. Check phone books and local newspapers for advertised promotions. There may be grand opening sales, going out of business sales or even Customer Appreciation Days that result in some pretty deep discounts.

2. Shop a season behind

Although it may be too late to do this in time for this Mother's Day, it's a very handy tip to keep in mind year round. Each time the seasons change, merchants also usually change their stock. In order to move the old merchandise to make room for the new, they mark the off season items down considerably. You can shop all year long for upcoming occasions and save money while you do. This way, you'll also avoid the last minute rush, which tends to lead to impulse-buying and overspending.

3. Plan you gift around the best deals and coupons

If you really don't have a gift idea in mind already, visit some of the coupon and deal finding websites such as Dealio to see what Mother's Day coupons and deals are out there. Merchants will list codes or printable coupons for a percentage off a certain item or $X off a certain purchase amount. Find the best coupon/deals that you can and then compare the merchants to see who offers additional perks like free shipping, which can make a good deal better.

4. Don't forget the flowers!

If you're not able to be with your mom this Mother's Day, you can still give her a wonderful gift and save money from afar. Flower arrangements are very popular gifts for Mother's Day and florists know this. They compete for business by offering special perks and incentives to entice buyers to shop their services. You can compare prices and deals online to ensure you get the best one. Always try to find one that offers free or discounted shipping in addition to special prices to ensure you get the best deal.

5. Harness the power of group buying

Group buying sites like GroupOn team up with local and national merchants to offer gift certificates for goods and services at a percentage off their retail value. For example, certificates good for $100 in products or services may only cost $50 through the website. The offerings do change regularly so if you don't find something you can use on the first visit, don't despair. Along with local merchants, nationally known merchants often offer deals, too, so your choices aren't really limited to what you find in your own neighborhood. The great thing about sites like GroupOn is that they email you when a new deal hits the site so you never miss out on the good stuff again!

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