5 ways to save big on your holiday spending

Regardless if you’re purchasing gifts online or in-person, you still want to save money.

While many people smartly use rewards cards and coupons, they’re still missing out on valuable savings. which can cost you hundreds. These companies can help.

From the right rewards programs to do-good discounts – check out the following and start saving today.

Get smarter about rewards

Curious which reward program fits you best? Birch helps you find new credit cards based on your spending habits.

Already have cards with cash-back bonuses? You should still check out the finance app as it also helps you optimize what’s already in your wallet.

By grouping your transactions into categories, Birch shows you which card gives you the most bang for your buck. Never miss a reward again.

Cash back made easy

Using Ebates is as easy as one, two, three: Sign up, shop, get cash back. No, really.

Free Ebates memberships let savvy shoppers search for participating stores, and with one click – and a coordinating purchase – you’re making money. I’ve been a member for years. Refer friends and score even more moola.

The website is easy to navigate, including handy daily deals. There’s even a Chrome extension that allows you to easily shop without ever missing out on cash back again. So even if you ever forget to go through Ebates first, the Cash Back Button will notify you.

Straightforward savings

With more than 600,000 coupons at over 70,000 retailers, Retailmenot has everything you need to save over the holidays – from coupon codes and cashback offers to food deals and in-store sales.

The website shows users the top trending discounts, while the app makes it easy to save at your favorite stores and restaurants right from your phone.

For those optimistically venturing out to brick-and-mortar stores, the the digital offers marketplace uses push notifications and message-prompts to help shoppers and businesses alike.

Turn gift cards into gold

Gift cards collecting dust? Turn them into cards you actually want or cold-hard cash with the largest gift card exchange in the world.

CardCash wants your unwanted gift cards and actually pays you up to 92 percent of the card value.

Have someone on your lift that’s hard to shop for? I suspect you’ll probably grab them a gift card. Why not do it at a discount and choose from the king-of-card’s giant inventory?

Giveback while gifting

It’s the season of giving – we wouldn’t be talking about gifts if it weren’t – so why not give back while shopping?

The world’s first-ever shopfunding site, GoodShop donates a portion of what you spend when you shop at thousands of stores on their site.

From national charities to local schools and community groups, when you shop with Goodshop you not only save, but you give back.