13 November 2018
Camissa Miller
Many students in the U.S. will, at one time or another, find themselves lacking financially. With many deals going on constantly, from store closeout sales to Black Friday, one up-and-coming faux-holiday is Cyber Monday, a day when deals present themselves all across the web for online shoppers.
Since 2005, Cyber Monday has come to claim its spot as the first Monday after Thanksgiving, in comparison with Black Friday. A marketing term coined by companies to persuade people to shop online, Cyber Monday has been so grand that its sales have passed those of Black Friday: 2017 experienced a $1.6 billion gap between them, according to Adobe Digital Insights.
This is partially due to the fact that Cyber Monday has been starting earlier and earlier each year, with nearly a third of shoppers beginning the Sunday before. With 75 percent who dive in first thing in the morning of Cyber Monday, 25 percent shop during lunch, 34 percent go online at night, and 19 percent take advantage of the sales throughout the rest of the week, according to The Balance.
Top stores like Walmart, Target and Amazon begin their sales on the day of Thanksgiving itself; the best way to partake in these deals is to sign up for their newsletters through email.
According to Kimberly Amadeo, the U.S. economy expert at The Balance, “Cyber Monday shoppers are very clear about why they like the day.” More than 40 percent specified that the 24-hour convenience is the highest priority for their time-strapped schedules, with nearly the same amount stating their desire to avoid the Black Friday crowds as their primary reason. Another third mentioned how they like how easy it is to compare prices.
Due to the sheer popularity of Cyber Monday, there are countless ways to strike a good deal, most of which can be accessed through websites like cybermonday.com. There, you can find a schedule of what retailers offer at what times in a “Deal of the Hour” promotion, as well as find sales from over 800 companies.
More than half the deals provide free shipping, with many more offering various discount options and a free gift with purchase.
RetailMeNot is another excellent resource to take advantage of on Cyber Monday, with savings up to 75 percent off of hundreds of retailers ranging anywhere from Kohls to Home Depot.
As college students, there is always a need to save, particularly in the realm of textbooks. Barnes and Noble and Chegg Books accommodate this fact by providing mark-downs and coupons specifically for course materials on Cyber Monday; all necessary codes can be acquired through signing up with your email.
Coffee, home items and kitchen supplies that fit the college student lifestyle are also going on sale. Retailers like Keurig, Bed Bath & Beyond and Instant Pot will be discounting their products come Cyber Monday.
Travel deals are also not out of the picture this November 26. Websites like StudentUniverse are promoting massive discounts for college students and youth under 26; in fact, just last year there were two instances of flights being booked for only $4.20.
If it’s anything like last year, deals will reach for the skies and products will become affordable, so take advantage of the discounts and save some money.