Stay home and shop.

[ohtransplant]

Why fight crowds and bad temperaments? I'm doing the bulk of my shopping online late at night. Many retailers have free shipping and huge discounts right now.

Start shopping at www.thegreatportal.com to take advantage of great deals and neat search capabilities. It's free to use and there's no obligation. Just register at the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Once registered you just start your shopping from the home page and click through to any of 3500+ retailers - bingo! - rebates on the purchase!!

In addition shoppers receive 2 - 35% cash back rebates from 3500+ web retailers including holiday travel.

Here are just a few I've sites used recently and received cash back. Ive received almost $50 so far - found money afaic.

The iphone store
accessorygeeks.com - name brand computer and phone accessories at deep discounts. I saves about 60% from my cell providers prices.
CafePress - just bought a poster of the periodic table for 25% off plus 6% cash back
Target - misc purchases. Mainly keeps me out of the store.
drugstore.com - never thought of this but it's great and delivery is usually free.
shoebuy.com - low prices and huge inventory. I had to replace my old favorite shoes. Found them at the same price I paid 7 yrs ago!
restaurant.com - up to 80% off local restaurant gift certificates
tavelocity.com - I just used it to book my hotel for a brief trip. There are about 20 travel sites available.

I was skeptical when I found this but the proof is in the puddin'. Over 3 million people use this web shopping portal. It's free to use. No obligation to do anything. These are purchases I would have made anyway. AND receive cash back. What's not to like?

www.thegreatportal.com

Feel free to PM me with questions.

edited for spelling

[Common Sense Party]

1. Or, wait until tomorrow and shop at small local businesses.

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday.

http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/

(granted, this site is promoted by Megabusiness American Express, but I still think it makes sense to support one's LOCAL economy.)

[rurallib]

2. Amen - support local businesses and American manufacturers

[ohtransplant]

3. Agreed.

There are multitudes of unique local merchants and farmers markets(which I also support financially btw) and the web portal is available 24/7. There are also many great small businesses associated with the portal throughout the year. Peace.

[hlthe2b]

4. Admittedly I have done quite a bit of online shopping as well...

But, when it calms down a bit, I will finish up at local book stores and small shops in my neighborhood. The flip side of the tremendous online shopping advantages is the loss of business to local shops and loss of tax revenue. I am acutely aware of that. I strive to strike some kind of balance, even if I don't save buying at local stores.

[ohtransplant]

5. You make great points.

I'm not really one for fighting the crowds this time of year. Some of my X-mas shopping is already done for that reason. I also make an effort to support local merchants throughout the year. There are many excellent and unique small businesses that make their prices worth spending more in dollars and effort. Many small businesses are also successful web retailers.

OHT

[pscot]

6. A most excellent post