Growing up in a large family meant that finding real deals was always top of mind. Whether it was the clever "two for one" pitch or the magic words "final sale," my parents bundled us up and off we went in search of the ultimate way to stretch our dollars. There was great pride in knowing that we were not just shopping—we were getting the best value at the best prices. Okay, so maybe that baseball mitt didn't fit exactly right one year—but I've never lost my appetite for discounts or markdowns.
Shopping today takes a little more know-how. From Black Friday sales to time-limited online offers, we are inundated with come-ons that promise big savings and tempt us to act quickly before deals run dry—so it's no surprise that a rising number of lawsuits pushing back on dubious pricing are being pursued. Even when we suspect that these offers could be too good to be true, it can be hard to pass them up—and harder still to differentiate between a legitimately great value and a pricing trick that doesn't really offer much.
This month, we break down how to expertly navigate the world of discount pricing. You'll find guidance on recognizing deceptive offers, techniques for finding the best deals, and recommendations to help you make the most of the emerging world of online browser tools and phone apps. These useful tools can deliver instant cost comparisons, aggregate coupons, and alert you to price drops in real time. We'll also take a deeper dive into one of the industries most beset by opaque and ever-shifting pricing—the airline industry. As you gear up for holiday shopping, travel, and a frenzy of sales, you deserve to head into the season with the knowledge you need to separate the honest deals from the tricks and traps, so you can make smart choices and ensure that your hard-earned money goes further than ever before. Let me know how you make out this season in your search for the real deals.
Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the December 2018 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
