Christmas Shopping on a Student's Budget!

          If you're anything like me, you will be starting your Christmas shopping around the mid to the end of October. This may seem a bit ridiculous to some, but when you have a lot of people to buy for, Christmas creeps up on you all too quickly. Therefore, this is the time I start collecting the smaller parts of Christmas gifts, and only items that I know have no chance of being returned after Christmas!

These past few Christmas's have been known to raise a bit of an issue budget-wise, seeing as I've been in college and have had to primarily live off of student loans. Sure, I could have bought slightly cheaper gifts for my friends and family, but I'm one of those people that regardless of my financial situation, I don't like to skimp on quality (not always the best trait to have financially!) So, if you're in a similar situation, what do you do so you don't go broke during the holiday season? Here are some great tips to avoid breaking the bank this season, and still purchase great quality gifts that your friends and family will love.

1) SHOP ONLINE

I have found the most amazing deals in online stores. Many people aren't a fan of shopping online, as they will argue that shipping costs are not worth it, or there are limited stores that ship to their country. However, there are almost always ways to get around shipping costs once you locate the multitude of stores that DO ship to every country, or to your particular country. The majority of online stores offer free shipping for a purchase of $50 or more, which is a good excuse to stock up on Christmas gifts at that particular store.

There are also frequent online sales that are not offered in stores. My favourites are the additional percentage off of items that are already on sale, usually adding up to a savings of 60% or more. Stores like Urban Outfitters and Forever21 often offer these types of sales, and will alert you through their online newsletters when these sales are beginning.

Just a note: If buying clothes, make sure you look at the size chart on the website. As we know, different brands tend to fit differently, and can run big or small. I have never had a problem with purchasing clothes online if I have stuck to the size chart. If by some chance the item does not fit the person you are buying it for, there are almost always return options where the store will pay the price of the return. It can be helpful if you are purchasing from an online store that also happens to be a retail chain in your area, as you are usually able to take the item back to this store for a full refund or exchange.

2) COUPON CODES

Whether in-store or online, retail stores almost always have one or two coupon codes available for you to save money. However, some are harder to find then others. Always have a search online before you go out to make your purchases, or before you make a purchase on an online store. I frequently purchase from online stores, and have not yet completed an order before entering in a coupon code that I've found online. 

Always sign up for online newsletters from your favourite stores, as they will often send you these coupon codes straight to your email. There are many codes out there that are kept more under wraps, that you can search for on any search engine. Just type promotion/coupon code and the store you're looking to save from into a search engine, and more than half the time you will at least find a code for the online store. These coupons average anywhere from an extra 10-30% off your order. This extra few minutes of effort before making purchases is definitely worth it!

3) DO YOUR RESEARCH

There are so many great stores out there that not enough people know about that sell good quality and unique items both in store and online, and offer amazing prices. Retail markets are a great way to find unique and affordable items. Kensington Market, St Lawrence Market and the Distillery District in Toronto, Ontario are all amazing places to find these types of gifts if you look around. Warehouses and outlet stores are also a great way to save money. 

There are a ridiculous amount of stores online that few know about that I've only discovered through blogs or places like Pinterest. They have often lead to stores that offer free shipping worldwide, and have unbeatable prices for decent quality clothes that are all on trend. Taking the time to do research and scour the Internet when you have some some spare time can definitely be worth it financially. 

Here are some of my top online picks for Christmas shopping on a budget!

http://www.shepiner.com

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

http://www.cafepress.ca/

https://www.hautelook.com

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com

http://www.ebay.com/

http://www.groupon.com/

http://www.ashleybridget.com/

http://shop.josephnogucci.com/