With Prime Big Deal Days, Black Friday, and the holiday shopping season right around the corner, it can feel like every website is screaming at you to BUY NOW.
You’ve probably seen it:
“Only 2 left!”
“Limited Time Offer!”
“Was $129.99 — Now Just $59.99!”
It all sounds amazing… until you realize that the “deal” might not be a deal at all. Retailers, especially online platforms like Amazon, use psychological marketing tactics to get you to click add to cart without thinking twice. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
- Urgency: Timers, low stock alerts, and countdowns make you feel like you’re going to miss out.
- Anchoring: Showing you a high “original” price next to a discounted price tricks your brain into thinking you’re saving more than you really are.
- Scarcity + Exclusivity: Limited-time sales or “Prime member only” deals make it feel like you have to act now to take advantage.
And when the holidays are coming up, that pressure gets even stronger. You’re not just shopping for yourself — you’re buying gifts, decorations, and everything else on your ever-growing list.
So how do you pause the pressure and make sure you’re actually getting a good deal?
Enter: Camelcamelcamel.com
CamelCamelCamel (yes, that’s really the name!) is a free website that tracks the price history of Amazon products — so you can see if the deal you’re being shown is actually the lowest it’s been.
You can type in the product you’re eyeing and see:
- What it cost last month
- Whether the price went up before the “sale”
- If you’re truly getting a good discount — or just a clever marketing trick
This one simple tool can save you hundreds — and more importantly, help you shop with intention, not impulse.
Take a Breath Before You Click “Buy”
Beyond the price comparison, visiting CamelCamelCamel gives you a moment to pause and ask:
- Do I really need this?
- Is it in my budget?
- Am I buying it because it’s a good deal — or because I’m being told it’s a good deal?
That moment of breathing room can be the difference between sticking to your spending plan… or waking up to a post-holiday credit card hangover.
Pro Tip: Make a “Buy List” Before the Deals Hit
Before Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday, make a list of what you’re actually looking for, things you’ve planned and budgeted for. Then use CamelCamelCamel to track them and set alerts.
That way, you’re shopping with purpose, not panic.
You may also want to look into Chrome extension coupon finder sites to help you save even more:
-PayPal Honey
-Rakuten Cash Back
-The Camelizer
-Keepa
-CouponCabin’s Sidekick
-Capital One Shopping
-SimplyCodes
Final Thought
You deserve to spend with confidence, not guilt.
You work hard for your money. Don’t let flashy marketing make decisions for you.
So this holiday season, give yourself the gift of pausing, checking the facts, and shopping in alignment with your values.
Need help creating a spending plan that works for the rest of the year, including the holidays? Let’s talk. I’d love to help you finish the year strong.
