With over 170 million members in the United States and Canada, Amazon Prime is kind of a big deal. And while subscribers enjoy special savings, same-day delivery, and exclusive streaming all year round, the deals are even bigger on Prime Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduced in 2015, Amazon\u2019s 48-hour sale rivals Black Friday and Cyber Monday as the top holiday for online shopping. This year, Prime Day<\/a> falls on Tuesday, July 16th, and Wednesday, July 17th. Here are a few things to know before you start filling your cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s easy to get carried away on Prime Day (to be fair, it\u2019s basically Christmas in July for Prime members). And without a game plan, even the tightest of penny-pinchers may find themselves tempted to overspend. Knowing what to expect \u2014 and preparing for the unexpected \u2014 ensures you get the most for your money while helping you avoid costly distractions. Let\u2019s take a look at what\u2019s ahead and start planning for your best Prime Day ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study<\/a>, Amazon earned $13.88 billion in U.S. ecommerce sales on Prime Day 2023, with day one marking their \u201csingle largest sales day ever<\/a>\u201d and the biggest Prime Day event to date. Over 70% of those purchases were under $50<\/a>, but 65% of households still spent a total of $100 or more on Prime Day orders. And despite a slight decline in the average amount per order, spending per household reached an all-time high of more than $180.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s face it, we\u2019ve all bought things to make ourselves feel better (especially over the last few years). Whether it\u2019s a new outfit, the latest bestseller, or a full-on spree, there\u2019s nothing quite like retail therapy. But a shopping session to improve your mood can easily lead to \u2018doom spending\u2019 if you\u2019re not careful. Planning your Prime Day purchases makes it easier to skip impulse buys \u2014 and the remorse that follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While doom spending can be considered a type of coping mechanism, the term \u2018spaving<\/a>\u2019 refers to the phenomenon of spending more under the pretense of saving more. We all know a great bargain can be hard to resist, but there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re not always getting the deal you think. Retailers often mark prices up before a sale to make discounts seem bigger, so if it seems too good to be true it probably is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Same goes for BOGOs: ask yourself if you really need the free one \u2014 or even the first one \u2014 before your cart fills up with unnecessary items. Saving on something you don\u2019t want or only bought because it was on sale is ultimately a waste, and you\u2019ll be happier with purchases that have more long-term value. Plus, the money you save can go toward things you\u2019ll actually use \u2014 or better yet, back into your savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the day, what matters most is your happiness. You should feel good about your choices and content with your purchases long after Prime Day passes. Let\u2019s build a plan to make sure that happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a member-exclusive event, Prime Day requires a subscription to access all those deals. If you don\u2019t already have a Prime membership, you can still participate in Prime Day by signing up for a free 30-day trial. Just remember to set a reminder before the trial ends so you don\u2019t end up paying for a full year \u2014 unless that\u2019s the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start by creating a list of items you actually need (not just want), such as home goods and household appliances. If your microwave isn\u2019t so hot or your air fryer has lost its cool, then Prime Day could be the perfect time for an upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve finished your list of needs, feel free to treat yourself with a few wants. Perhaps your puppy thought those Skullcandy earbuds were a snack, or your kitten mistook your bedsheets for a litter box. Or maybe you just missed last year\u2019s hottest Prime Day item<\/a>, the Fire TV Stick. Whatever\u2019s on your wishlist, building a budget is key to making the most of your Prime Day experience without breaking the bank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shopping lists aren\u2019t just for remembering what to pick up at the store. They also help you put down impulse buys, like those tempting treats dangling by the cash register. Adding a little wiggle room to your budget lets you indulge responsibly in case something catches your eye that didn’t cross your mind. Who knows what you won\u2019t be able to live without until you see it for yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting a limit on your spending helps you adjust accordingly when prices rise while keeping you accountable to your financial game plan. And when Prime Day arrives, remember: today\u2019s deals aren\u2019t worth tomorrow\u2019s debt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019ve got your list and checked it twice, it\u2019s time to lock in the lowest price. Adding a plugin like Keepa<\/a> to your browser is an easy way to track Amazon price histories and get the best deals on the items in your cart. That way, you\u2019ll have the historical insight you need to dodge those deceptive discounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are lots of professional shoppers who post articles and videos on how to earn the most savings. Check out what influencers on TikTok and Youtube are saying about Prime Day for tips on deals, common mistakes to avoid, and helpful announcements leading up to the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think outside the obvious<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prime Day is a great opportunity to stock up on small items and appliances that have seen better days. Take stock of your everyday electronics \u2014 like hair dryers, irons, steamers, and blenders \u2014 then update your wishlist when you find replacements that fit your lifestyle and budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few ways to make the most of your Prime Day experience from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy have responded to Prime Day by hosting sales events that counter Amazon\u2019s member-exclusive offers with limited-time deals on electronics and other items. And if you don\u2019t feel like looking around, the good news is you don\u2019t have to. Browser extensions such as Honey<\/a> compare prices at checkout to ensure you get the most for your money, no matter where you shop. So keep those items in your cart but your options open elsewhere \u2014 knowing when to hold \u2019em might pay off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you shop with Amazon or a competitor, shipping times and totals are worth keeping in mind. The first price you see will likely change as the item moves from the storefront to your cart and checkout. If you order items from multiple vendors, the shipping costs may start piling up, too. Comparing fees and timeline estimates helps you make sure that great deal doesn\u2019t end up costing too much or taking forever to arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve done your homework and found the best deals on all your favorites. Your shopping cart is locked and loaded with everything you need (and a few things you want). You take a deep breath and proceed cautiously to checkout \u2014 watch out for those last-minute add-ons \u2014 then pause before pushing the bright yellow button. You \u2018Place your order\u2019 and exhale. Congratulations, you\u2019ve just won Prime Day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the best laid plans don\u2019t always work out. If your Prime Day purchases aren\u2019t as great IRL as they looked online, you\u2019ve got options for easy returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whole Foods Market offers free in-store Amazon returns<\/a> (you don\u2019t even have to bring your box or label!). Simply choose the Whole Foods Dropoff option in your Amazon account and you\u2019ll receive a QR code via email or in your Amazon app. Show the code to a team member at the customer service desk \u2014 or scan it yourself at the DIY returns kiosk \u2014 and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kohl\u2019s also accepts Amazon returns<\/a> at almost<\/em> all their stores (apologies to Anchorage), with free packing and shipping included. The process is essentially the same as the Whole Foods Dropoff option, sans the self-service. So whether you\u2019re shopping for groceries or clothes, be sure to save room for your return. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you use Quicken Simplifi, you can link your Prime Day transaction to the Refund Tracker<\/a> tool to stay on top of your return and see when your refund is on the way. While you\u2019re there, think about creating a savings goal to Simplifi next year\u2019s Prime Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA method to the Prime Day madness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How much do people spend on Prime Day?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Put an end to \u2018doom spending\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Skip the \u2018spaving\u2019 and save<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Decide which deals are worth it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to gear up for Prime Day <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What to do ahead of time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prepare your Prime Day list<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Think ahead about impulse buys<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Set a spending limit (and stick to it)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Track prices to get the best deal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Get tips from other shoppers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What to do on Prime Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shop around for better savings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye on shipping costs and speed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Make your wishlist a reality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What to do after Prime Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Send it back if you don\u2019t love it<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Keep track of your returns<\/h4>\n\n\n\n