Guest Post: Five Tips for Mother's Day Shopping

If you're looking for great Mother's Day gift deals because you don't want to spend a fortune, the good news is – you don't have to. Following a few savvy shopping tips can help you land the best gifts at the best price. Here are five of those savvy shopping tips to help you get started.

1. Shop Clearance Sections
Clearance sections can be treasure troves of discounted items. Retailers will slash prices on old stock to make room for new. Some prices can be discounted by 75% or more off retail prices so this is definitely a do-not-miss area to check out.

2. Shop Ebay
You can find almost anything you're looking for on Ebay. Most Ebay sellers offer items at a cost far below retail value. Ebay isn't just for used items. You can find plenty of brand new items as well so it's worth checking out.

3. Gift Certificates
Even though a gift certificate may seem like an impersonal gift, there really are some great deals on them out there if you know where to look. Websites like Groupon will offer gift certificates to local area merchants at 50% or more off the retail value. For instance, a $100 gift certificate to a local spa may sell for $50 on Groupon – but you can still redeem it for $100 in services.

4. Book Trips Well In Advance
If you want to send your mom on a trip for Mother's Day, booking the accommodations months in advance will ensure that you get the best deal. Cruise lines, for instance, offer a savings of several hundred dollars off the price of a cruise if booked between certain dates. It doesn't have to coincide with Mother's Day. She can take the trip any time.

5. Err On The Side of Practicality
Instead of wracking your brain trying to think of something your mom might want, need or use – find out straight from her. Maybe she's been wanting her sewing machine repaired. Maybe the oil in her car needs changing. Maybe she wants to replace the curtains in her bedroom or buy new bedding. There may be something you can do for her that she wants and/or needs and it could cost considerably less than what you planned to spend anyway.

Todd is a writer for Dealio.com