While online sales did reach record numbers on Black Friday, it is important to note that the web has seen the most online shopping growth during 2009 alone. One of the most recognizable reasons that consumers are turning to their PC’s for their shopping needs is because of convenience. People are starting to realize that there is no need to rush to the store when they see a store advertising a big sale. Stores have a limited number of the items on sale, and shoppers know this. So, to ensure they get the item they want, they just go to the store’s website and order it for the exact same price they would have paid for it at the store. It used to be that if you ordered a product online that you would have to pay a hefty shipping price, but now, if you order an item through a store’s website it is likely you will be offered free shipping, if you are willing to drive to the store and pick it up yourself. With benefits like this, why not shop online?

Many people are also beginning to search the web for bargains that can’t be found in stores. It is not uncommon for a person to price something at local retail store and then go online to see if they can find a better deal elsewhere. With sites such as Amazon.com, Overstock.com and Ebay, it is very likely that a consumer will find a better deal online than at the store. These sites also offer other incentives such as no tax and free shipping on select products. It’s no wonder that shoppers everywhere are completing their shopping online and not fighting the in-store crowds.

Consumers Shopping Online In Record Numbers was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

In addition to shopping the sales, both online and off; (and shopping places with free shipping if you’re having it delivered) there is another way to save some money on your holiday shopping (actually, on your anytime shopping but you’ll probably see the most benefits when you are buying a lot in a short period of time- like around the holidays!)

Fatwallet.com has a variety of ways to help frugal shoppers like us!  Some deals are provided in the form of coupon codes, so when you check-out, you simply enter the code and receive the advertised discount.  Some of the deals are special discounts on select items; or free shipping.

One of the greatest features of Fat Wallet is that you are getting deals and discounts from the stores you’re already shopping, like Target, Kmart, Walmart, Circuit City, Dell, and more!  So you grab your discount codes or special discount links from Fatwallet.com; and then go about your normal online shopping experience with your favorite retailers.

Unique to Fat Wallet is their cash back sales.  These allow you to participate in one of the advertised deals, and even earn cash back on the purchases you make at select merchants.  Fat Wallet has worked out deals with 125 retailers.  They earn commission for all the referrals they send to the retailers through their site, and Fat Wallet shares their commissions to the people making purchases in the form of cash back!  Average cash back amounts are 2 to 5%; but I saw a few as high as 19 and 20% cash back.

If you’ve got a shopping list of things to buy for friends and family, you may as well start with Fat Wallet and give yourself the opportunity to save some money, get free shipping, or earn cash back at the same time.  With a little research and planning, the money you save could be enough to get yourself the gift you wished someone had gotten for you but didn’t!

Keep Your Wallet a Little Fatter This Holiday Season! was created by and is property of American Consumer News.