Holiday shoppers won’t have to look far to find deals this season.

While Covid-era supply chain strains have eased, consumer spending has declined, prompting many businesses to sweeten incentives to buy.

“This is the best discounting season in years,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst.

“Retailers are offering generous discounts to move clothes, toys, electronics, and other physical goods,” Rossman said.

Deals offering 30% off have become the floor, and they started as early as October, Rossman noted.

But buyers beware: Some of those discounts may be offered at inflated prices, he said. Experts say the deals advertised now may not be the best prices offered over the year.

Moreover, you may be at risk of spending more than you intended.

“You don’t want to be paying off this Christmas a year from now,” Rossman said.

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Here are some tips for holiday shoppers to get the best discount.

DO use unwanted gift cards

Almost half of adults, 47%, have at least one unused gift card, gift voucher or store credit, with an average value of $187 per person and $23 billion total nationwide, according to Bankrate.

For consumers, there is no incentive to hold on to gift cards. Some may even come with expiration dates.

“Find these gift cards and use them,” Rossman said.

If you don’t want to use it for yourself, consider using it to buy a gift for someone else or gift them a gift card. Alternatively, you may resell the card on platforms such as CardCash or Raise for 70% or 80% of its value, Rossman said.

DO take advantage of credit card rewards

Many consumers also have credit card rewards available they have yet to redeem.

If you have cash-back rewards available, aim to redeem them monthly, Rossman said, as they do not get more valuable over time.

DO try combining deals

With a better-than-average discounting season in full swing, strategic shoppers can combine deals to get the best value.

Don’t stop at a brand’s 30% sale, Rossman said. You may be able to stack other discounts on top of that.

Try combining those deals with a credit card where you can earn rewards such as cash back, airline miles, or other points. Just be sure to plan to pay the balance off in full to avoid interest. Also, use a shopping portal such as Rakuten or Shop Through Chase to access additional discounts.

DO be vigilant about your purchases

In the haste to get your holiday shopping done, you may be vulnerable to schemes to steal your data and money.

Fraudsters prey on last-minute shoppers, who may be more likely to fall for offers that are too good to be true, Visa Chief Risk Officer Paul Fabara recently told CNBC.com.

To protect yourself, be sure to do some research on less familiar retailer names, make sure any websites you use are secure, and use multifactor authentication that prompts you to verify your identity beyond just your password.

DON’T use credit cards without a plan to pay them off

The average credit card interest rate is now a record 20.72%, according to Bankrate.

“Avoiding that holiday debt hangover is so important,” Rossman said.

Try sticking to cash or debit card purchases where you can to avoid racking up debts.

If you are making purchases that will take you longer to pay down, be strategic. You may sign up for a new credit card that requires a minimum threshold for new purchases to unlock rewards. Alternatively, you may use a 0% balance transfer offer on an existing balance.

“If it’s money that you were going to spend anyway, and you’re avoiding interest, getting a new card could be smart,” Rossman said.

DON’T use a store card without reading the fine print

Retail brand-name credit cards can provide a discount if you’re making a big purchase at one store.

But be wary: These cards come with the highest interest rates that in some cases are over 30%, Rossman said.

What’s more, the deal may include something called deferred interest. If you still have a balance once the term of the deal runs out, you may be charged for interest that would have otherwise accumulated.

DON’T overspend

It may be easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit but don’t forget about your financial limits.

Since inflation is still squeezing everyone’s budgets, it helps to have a conversation with friends and family to set limits on gift-giving, Rossman noted.

You may decide to set a dollar limit on gift spending or choose a name out of a hat for gifts for extended family rather than buying for every person, he said.

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