Shopping during the holidays can be a stressful and busy time for most people, because of this many people tend to not pay attention to prices and what they really are charged at a store. If your really looking to save money this year you should take a look at these 10 tips to get the best deals.

10. Compare ads, many stores compete with the same items. Find the cheapest store and get it there.

9. Use meet or beat the price, this involves finding stores that will accept ad prices from other stores. Many do just to get your business.

8. Coupons are your best friend, use them

7. Take a friend with you to help talk you out of buying things you don’t need. Leave the shopper friends at home.

6. Look at the sale racks first, then check out the other items, sometimes you find what you need on sale, sometimes the normal priced items are a better deal. Compare.

5. Look at the price on the tag, not the rack, lazy people love to leave normal priced items on the sales rack, if you like it anyway and can’t find the same item in a normal priced area talk to a manager.

4. Don’t buy anything at the front of the store, if you need something there and know it’s in another part of the store, leave the line and go get it. Items at the register are usually more expensive then the same item in the store.

3. Don’t get a big cart, if the store offers a small cart use it, your mind thinks that a big cart needs to be filled and then you buy more.

2. Remember just because it’s on sale, does not mean a good deal, check out every sale and discount carefully

1. When checking out watch what items scan, say something if it is wrong. Most stores have to give you the item for what it is marked. If it’s an item off a rack say you found it on that rack, many stores will give it to you for that price.

Overall, don’t be afraid to take your time, speak up and get that really good deal.

I conduct movie theater audits and one thing I have learned is it pays to talk to the theater management about deals and discounts. The theater I do many audits at has a $4 Sunday Special. For the first showing of the day you can get in for $4. Not a bad deal and if you don’t mind getting up early you can see a movie for a good price.

Sometimes you can also join the theaters discount program. If they have one and either earn points toward discounts on tickets or treats or you can get free stuff. Programs of course vary. So if your looking to see the hot summer blockbusters, but don’t have much cash talk to the theater and see what they can do for you.