My Ultimate Holiday Shopping Cheat Sheet

The exact tools, sites, and tricks I use to find real deals + Top 10 gifts for 2025

Nov 26, 2025

Well, hello there!

Hope you’re having a fantastic holiday week. We celebrated Thanksgiving a bit early this year because we’re having two dinners. We didn’t make the turkey ourselves this time; we ordered a pre-sliced turkey breast from Honey Baked Ham. I’ll tell you, it was one of the best turkeys I’ve ever had in my lifetime. I know it’s not the same as doing it yourself, but I was working the radio show on Saturday and didn’t have time to spend all day on a turkey.

I did, however, make my two absolute favorite childhood sides: my mom’s sausage stuffing and the sweet-potato casserole with marshmallows on top (still my all-time favorite). Here’s the wild part: Mom had always given me the recipes verbally or on little scribbled notes. This year I got photos of the original pages from the cookbook she’d clipped them from decades ago. In the past my versions were good, but never quite perfect. This time I fed the photos into AI, told it to clean them up, and it spit out recipes perfectly. Both dishes came out flawless.

If you’d like to make them yourself, here are the PDFs:
→ Mom’s Sausage Stuffing
→ Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping

Okay, on to the main event: I want to give you all of my very best shopping tips and tricks for this Black Friday / Cyber Monday week so you can score the absolute best deals. Then, at the end, I’ll share some top picks.

Without further ado, let’s get right to it!

How I Actually Find (and Verify) the Real Deals on Amazon

Let’s start with the big picture: when there’s something I want to buy, I almost always head straight to Amazon.

First, a quick way to find gift ideas: check out Amazon’s Holiday Shop, their Top 100 Gifts list, and the Toys We Love list. I also pulled the actual products you all have bought the most from my Amazon links this year — many of them are affordable and perfect for gifting. See the list here.

My tried-and-true system for tracking sales is simple: add anything you’re interested in to your cart, then move it down to “Save for Later.” As you scroll through your Save for Later list, Amazon now puts a bright red banner on anything that’s part of a Black Friday deal, Cyber Monday deal, Lightning Deal, or just a limited-time price drop. Super easy to spot at a glance.

Once I decide I really want something, it’s time for a price check—because a “sale” isn’t always a sale.

Here’s how I do it:

On many Amazon listings now, right near the price you’ll see a little “Price History” link. Tap it and you instantly get the chart.
If you don’t see that link, open Rufus AI (the little AI icon in the lower-right on mobile or under the product images on desktop) and just type “price history.” Boom—same chart appears.
My longtime favorite is still CamelCamelCamel.com. Copy the Amazon URL, paste it in, and you’ll see the full price history. I look at the last 6–12 months, compare today’s price to the all-time low (shown right under the graph), and check how often it actually goes on sale. If it drops every few weeks, I’m not in a rush.
Want the chart embedded directly on every Amazon page? Install the free Keepa browser extension. Once it’s on, a price-history graph shows up automatically on every product page—couldn’t be easier.

One brand-new tool this year that I’m loving: Amazon Price Alert (powered by Rufus).

Here’s how it works on the mobile app:

Find the product
Tap the Rufus AI icon
Type “price alert”
It’ll show the current price and the 30-day low, then ask what price you want to be notified at. Set your target, and Amazon will text or push-notify you the second it hits that number.

Even better—you can turn on “auto-buy.” If the price reaches your target, Amazon automatically places the order for you. It’s like putting deal-hunting on autopilot. I’ve already used it twice this week and it feels like magic.

Apple Products: Spotting the Sales and Smart Timing

Apple products are perennial favorites on gift lists, so here’s how to figure out which ones are actually on sale—and when to hit that buy button.

I always say: Apple gear is usually best to buy right when it launches. That way, you get the longest useful life out of it before the next refresh hits. Apple updates their lines pretty frequently, so timing matters.

Enter the MacRumors Buyer’s Guide—my go-to resource. It lists every single Apple product, tracks every release, shows the average days between updates, and even counts down how long it’s been since the last one. Based on that, it rates each as “Buy,” “Neutral,” or “Wait”—so you know if a new iPad is fresh and future-proof, or if a MacBook is about to get dusted by an M5 version in a month.

When you’re ready to shop, AppleInsider’s Price Guides are gold. They break down every single config of every product and show the absolute lowest price right now across Amazon, Best Buy, Apple’s site, B&H, and more.

A couple key notes on Apple’s own deals: They don’t typically discount straight off the price at their stores. But twice a year—Black Friday and back-to-school—they run promotions where you get a gift card or free accessory bundled in.

And don’t sleep on trade-ins: If you’ve got an old Apple gadget gathering dust, Apple might give you a gift card toward the new one. (Pro tip: You can even bring any old gadget—Apple or not—to an Apple Store for recycling, as long as it’s not a total biohazard.)

My Two Favorite Deal-Hunting Websites

When I’m hunting for deals, my absolute daily must-visit is Slickdeals.net. It’s 100% crowd-sourced: real people post deals, the community votes them up or down, and the very best ones hit the front page. It’s not just gadgets; you’ll find everything from freebies and gift-card offers to clothing and home stuff. Click any deal and it spells everything out—exactly how to grab it, why it’s actually good, and usually the direct link or code. This one’s a permanent bookmark; I check it every single morning.

If you’re looking for a laptop, check out their page full of deals on them.

My second go-to is DealNews. They have a team of editors who vet and write up the deals, so you always get a quick note on why it’s worth it (for example, “lowest price ever tracked on this jacket”). My only minor complaint is they sometimes mix in broader sales (“up to 80% off with Prime”), whereas Slickdeals keeps it super-specific and instantly actionable.

The one promo-code site that actually works: SimplyCodes

When it comes to coupon codes, I’m saving you years of frustration right now: the only site I ever use is SimplyCodes.

I don’t know how they do it, but if a retailer has a working promo code out there, SimplyCodes has it — almost guaranteed.

No extension required. Just:

Go to simplycodes.com (or grab their app)
Tap the search icon
Type the store name
Every valid code appears, complete with real-user success rates

Forget digging through dozens of dead-end coupon sites that list 47 codes and exactly zero work. SimplyCodes has saved me a lot time and money.

Bookmark it today — you’ll thank me later.

How to get money off when there’s no promo code: buy discounted gift cards

If the store you’re shopping at has zero coupons or sales going on, there’s still a sneaky way to save: buy a discounted gift card.

Here’s how it works: plenty of people get gift cards they don’t want, so they sell them for cash at a discount. Resellers buy them cheap, mark them up a little, and everyone wins.

My go-to comparison site is CardBear.com. It scans all the major resellers and shows the current discount on hundreds of brands (Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Sephora, restaurants, you name it). Popular retailers usually only give you 1–4% off, but it’s free money and it’s worth a 30-second check.

I have personally bought from CardCash.com several times with no issues.

A few quick cautions so you don’t get burned:

Read the fine print — some cards are in-store only, some online only, some both.
There are no refunds once you buy, so double-check.
And whatever you do, don’t try to buy a gift card with another gift card — I learned the hard way that most places block what is apparently “gift-card laundering”

Speaking of discounts… I’m running my own for the first time ever

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But if you’ve ever thought about upgrading to support what I’m doing, or you want the extras, I’m doing something special for Black Friday / Cyber Monday:

Usually $50 a year, right now it’s just $20 for the entire year (60% off).

Here’s exactly what you get with the paid plan:

Full archive of every past newsletter
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No pressure at all, but if you’d like to upgrade, use the button below:

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Back to the savings… a quick note on credit cards

If you’ve listened to the radio show or read my newsletters for a while, you know I’m not a big credit-card-points gamer. I actually ditched my expensive premium card earlier this year and switched to a simple one that doesn’t tempt me to overspend for rewards. My rule is easy:

Online purchases or anytime the card leaves my hand (restaurant, etc.) → credit card
Everything else → debit card (it hurts more when the money disappears, which keeps me honest)

The one exception is Amazon, where I still use my debit card because I shop there… a lot.

All that said, if you do use credit cards and want to squeeze every last built-in offer out of them, two tools make it simple:

CardPointers – the OG that’s been around forever. It automatically adds Amex Offers, Chase Offers, Citi Merchant Offers, etc., to all your cards in one click. It also tracks every card’s perks, credits, and rules so you never forget to use them.
Savewise – newer, but excellent. Type in any store and it instantly shows every possible way to save or earn extra points, including the card-linked offers that are sitting on your cards right now. It auto-activates them too.

Both have free versions, but the paid plans (still very reasonable) unlock the auto-activation magic and are worth it if you actually use the offers.

Speaking of protecting your card number…

There’s a handy website called Privacy.com that will generate one-time-use virtual card numbers. I use them whenever I’m shopping somewhere I don’t 100% trust, or when I’m signing up for a free trial that I know I’ll probably forget to cancel. That way they can only charge the card once (or up to whatever limit I set), and then the number stops working.

The free plan lets you create up to 12 cards a month, which has always been more than enough for me. They do have paid plans if you need more, but I’ve never had to upgrade.

Just keep in mind you have to link your bank account to use it — it doesn’t work through a debit card or credit card.

Okay, so where does AI fit into all this deal-hunting?

Here are the ways I actually use it:

Google’s AI Mode (Shopping) – It pulls from over 50 billion product listings (2 billion updated hourly). The killer feature is how specific you can get. Instead of “gift for a 13-year-old boy,” you can literally type: “gift under $50 for a 13-year-old boy in California who loves baseball and already owns every Pokémon card.” It surfaces surprisingly good ideas. You can also set price-drop alerts: search any product → Shopping tab → pick the item → look on the right side for “Track price.” Google will ping you when it drops. (Note: Amazon prices aren’t included here, so check Amazon separately — 9 times out of 10 they’re matching everyone else anyway.)
Yahoo Shopping – Similar real-time pricing, just not quite as many retailers as Google.
Microsoft Copilot – Surprisingly strong for shopping. Search a product name, tap the product card that pops up, and it shows current prices, price history, and even tells you if it’s a good time to buy based on sales trends.
ChatGPT – They’ve really stepped up the shopping tools lately. You can ask it to check current prices (and tell it to only look at major retailers, skip third-party sellers), get gift recommendations under a certain budget, or pull top picks from trusted review sites. Very handy for research and brainstorming gifts.
Vetted.ai – Great for comparing products because it pulls real opinions from YouTube reviews and Reddit threads alongside the specs and prices.

One big disclaimer with all of these AI tools: they’re not perfect. Sometimes they straight-up hallucinate prices or availability, so always double-check the actual retailer link before you buy.

A quick word about travel deals

When it comes to flights, the one and only place I look is Google Flights. I always use the calendar view to find the cheapest dates and then set price-tracking alerts for every upcoming trip I have. No joke—the price on one of my tracked routes dropped a couple hundred dollars the other day. I got the alert, booked immediately, and saved about $1,000 on the four tickets I needed.

All those old rules about the “perfect day of the week” to buy tickets just aren’t true anymore. Prices move with demand and algorithms, so the best time to buy is simply when the price hits a number you’re comfortable with.

After I book, I feed the confirmation code to pAIback. They watch for any price drops and, if the airline allows it, automatically get me a future travel credit. I can use later. I’d honestly forgotten I’d set a couple of trips up with them, and I still ended up with $80 back—completely hands-off.

If you want to use points instead of cash, the two sites I use are PointsYeah.com and Point.me. They search every possible award option across all the programs and partners so you can see the lowest-point dates at a glance.

And finally, if you’re super flexible with dates, Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is fantastic. They email truly amazing deals from your home airport. The dates can be random, but if you have the flexibility, the savings like that are hard to beat.

Top 10 Holiday Gifts That Are on Every List This Year

I shared this on my radio show and here it is again - a roundup of the top 10 gifts popping up everywhere this holiday season. Let’s count ‘em down:

Number 10: Apple AirTags
These are the ultimate stocking stuffer. People love them because you can track just about anything—keys, wallets, bags, you name it. They’re perfect for iPhone users. If you’re on Android, check out the Chipolo Pop; it’s a great alternative that taps into Google’s Find My Device network. Or, for something totally independent, the Tile Pro works seamlessly on both iPhone and Android (it just uses its own tracking system).

Number 9: Aura Frame
This is an absolute crowd-pleaser. It’s a digital photo frame where you can email pictures straight from your phone to the frame. The magic is sharing: you can send to your own or a loved one’s, so it keeps everyone connected. Give one to Grandma, and you can beam her daily updates on the kids. I don’t know anyone who’s bought one who doesn’t absolutely love it.

Number 8: Meta Quest
Apple Vision Pro is amazing but way too pricey for most folks. The Meta Quest hits the sweet spot on price and features—it’s got a huge library of games, plus it’s fantastic for fitness workouts. They come in a few versions at different price points, so you can match whatever budget you’re working with.

Number 7: Apple Watch Series 11
Apple refreshed the whole lineup this year, so any of them is a safe bet. But the Series 11 packs all the essentials in a thinner, lighter frame. Go for the cellular version if you want 5G for better coverage in spotty areas.

Number 6: Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Headphones
Keep in mind there’s a newer model that folds up and lets you listen while they’re charging. I’ve tried an older version of these Sonys, and they’re excellent—top-tier noise cancellation. Everyone I know who owns a pair raves about them. If you’re traveling and prefer over-ears, these are fantastic, and they’re at a great price right now.

Number 5: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Amazon just updated the Kindles this year, so pages turn faster and the light is easier on the eyes. It’s the perfect escape from harsh screens—reading on a Kindle feels closest to actual paper, unlike an iPad or phone that strains your eyes. Stick with the Signature Edition for the auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging.

Number 4: Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
These have been around a couple years now, with two versions available (the older one’s usually on deeper sale). No matter which, you’ve got a built-in camera, mic, and speaker—so you can listen to music, take calls, snap photos or videos, and even chat with AI hands-free. They’re awesome for accessibility too. People just love how cool and practical they are.

Number 3: Oura Smart Ring
The new Gen 4 has sensors that sit more flush against your skin, plus new finishes. What I really like is that it’s platform-agnostic—works great with iPhone or Android. Folks who wear one swear by it. Personally, I can’t because a bad sleep score would ruin my morning, but if that’s not you, it’s a hit.

Number 2: Apple AirPods Pro 3
These are brand new from Apple and some of the best noise-canceling earbuds out there. This year they added heart-rate sensors right in the buds, so you can run with just them (and your phone) for tracking. They’re going to be the runaway top seller this season.

Number 1: Nintendo Switch 2
Thankfully, it’s easy to find right now. Bigger screen, 4K output when docked to a TV, backwards compatibility with tons of games, and better snap-on controllers. Pro tip: Grab a bundle with a game—you’ll save the most that way, and that’s how retailers are pushing them anyway.

A few final thoughts before you dive in…

This week your inbox is going to explode with Black Friday emails from every company you’ve ever done business with. That actually makes it a great time to pick up things you’ve been wanting, because many of the real discounts only happen once a year.

I always take advantage of the yearly subscriptions and services I use (re-up Disney+ and Peacock at the lowest prices I’ll see all year, and I’ll probably add one or two more this week).

It’s also the perfect moment to do a quick inbox cleanup—unsubscribe from anything you don’t actually read. All those old retailers are about to resurface anyway.

One question I get asked: “Should I buy now or wait until Cyber Monday?”
These days the two events have pretty much blended together. People shop all week from phones and computers, so my rule is simple: if you see a price you’re happy with, go for it.

That’s it from me. Hopefully, some of these tips help you save real money this week.

If you found this useful, feel free to forward it to a friend or share the link. And if you’re not following on Instagram yet, I’m @richontech. If you’re not subscribed to my podcast, follow it here.

Happy shopping!

Rich

Trish Thompson

If someone possessed a “fear of missing out” condition, I’m guessing Rich on Tech could top the list. Smile.

I finally upgraded to a paid subscription!

You offer so much valuable information, I’m beginning to feel ting to contribute.

I’ve got my husband onboard as well!

Thank you Rich ! You’re not only a valuable source … fun to tap into !

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Chuck

Great job! Question though. Why is Rufus only available on a mobile app on a phone? Likewise, Haul is only available on a phone. Neither is available while browsing on iPad.

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