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I’ll admit it: I’m a Store-o-phobic Deal-monger. I don’t like brushing elbows with vast hordes of dazed shoppers, armed with crinkling bags busting at the seams, dangerously swinging purse pendulums, and lethal baby strollers that could really take out an ankle if you’re not vigilant.

It goes beyond just the inconvenience of lugging everything around, though. Christmas shopping online just fulfills certain desires that I have. One of those loves is receiving mail. What’s more exciting than a nice man bringing a big brown box to my front door with a smile?

Furthermore, I always pause in retail stores, wondering what sort of comparable deals are available online. Why shop at one store, when I can simultaneously peruse ten online and find the best prices? Here in New York State, we get slapped in the face with extra sales taxes in retail stores, so online shopping is all that is sacred nowadays.

Some might say, “Well what about shipping?” It is true that shipping costs can drive up your bill, but countless online retailers are dropping or waiving shipping fees for the holiday season to garner your business. Here are a few techniques to maximize your dollars and save money this Christmas season…

FreePriceAlerts.com

This is one of my newest finds and I’m pretty psyched to start using it. Didn’t you think it was only a matter of time before pop-up alerts became intelligent and helpful? Quickly download the free software and, as you shop online as you normally do, the program will issue a pop-up alert link letting you know where you can find an item’s cheapest price anywhere online. You can also download an iPhone app to use while perusing retail stores to check prices online before you buy, so you know you’re getting the best deal.  FreePriceAlerts.com

Ebates.com

I never visit a company’s website without first checking for it through Ebates. Last year, I received a fat check of $100 from my Christmas shopping alone! When my husband bought his new computer, we saved $60. Basically, Ebates is paid by businesses as a referral agency and, in turn, Ebates pays you. After a quick, free signup, you can search hundreds of popular stores like Sephora, Dell, Bloomingdales, Barnes and Noble, Walmart and Home Depot, and when you purchase from them, you’ll get a certain percentage of your money back. Be sure to check for additional coupon codes to use at checkout for free shipping or free gifts. All I can say is that it works! Ebates.com

RetailMeNot.com

Before I checkout, I visit this website to see if there are any coupon codes to save additional money or get free shipping. Often I receive catalogs in the mail that have coupon codes and I wonder how many other codes are floating around out there that I simply don’t know about. RetailMeNot aggregates all the offers, so you don’t have to wonder any longer. There is no signup required. Just type in a store and see if there are any current codes available.  RetailMeNot.com

FreeShipping.org

Don’t get me wrong… I like that the UPS, Fed Ex, and US Mail Service people get paid. Yet, if businesses are willing to bite the cost of the shipping to brand themselves and secure my loyalty, I’m going to take it! I have no qualms about choosing who to give my business to (based on generous bribes). You can get alerts by email, peruse the “Top Free Shipping Codes,” or type a store into the “Search” box to see if there is anything you can use. FreeShipping.org

SwagBucks.com

Admittedly, I’ve never used this site before, but it’s new and interesting, so I’m including it on this list for your consideration. This is one for all the social networkers out there who want to be rewarded for doing things they do all the time – like fill out surveys, answer polls, watch viral videos, browse stores online, tell friends about great deals, trading books or electronics, post pictures, and comment on blogs. All of these activities will earn you points, which you can use toward online shopping purchases. You’ll just need to provide your Facebook or Twitter login info. SwagBucks.com

Happy Online Shopping!