With Black Friday tucked safely under our belts its time once again to conquer Cyber Monday. The fabled day of great online deals, some disappearing at lightning speed.

In reality, the whole Thanksgiving WEEK has turned into one big sale and if you are shopping for specific items and keep your eyes open, you are likely to get a great deal on what you are looking for. Monday’s sales will be good, all major online retailers participate in the event, and Cyber Monday is known for Free Shipping so if for no other reason, this is a good day to buy those items you will be purchasing online.

My most important tip for Cyber Monday, is the tip I give out first for everything: Plan Ahead. Just like shopping in brick and mortar stores, if you don’t know what you are shopping for, you will spend money you didn’t plan on spending for items you didn’t plan on buying, because they look like “a great deal”. It isn’t a deal if you spend money you don’t have.

That being said: be sure to shop through sites like Ebates where you can earn cash back for your already discounted purchases. Searching for your store of choice on Ebates will bring you a list of deals and sales going on that site. When you click through, Ebates creates a tracking ticket and you will earn a percentage of your purchase in cash back. This cash is held in an account on Ebates until you reach the payout threshold (set by you) and then you receive a check/paypal/direct deposit. During Cyber Monday they will be hosting many online retailers at double their normal cash back value, often up to 8% (Old Navy and Gap are both offering 7% back today) It is worth checking out.

You can search sites like RetailMeNot to find online deals and coupon codes for stores that you frequent as well. (Remember if you are using a RetailMeNot coupon code and trying to earn Ebates cash back you need to enter your retail site through Ebats to get the cash back.)

Another good idea is to do a quick Google Search of the item you intend to purchase before you hit the “Checkout” button. Make sure that the price you are getting is truly a deal. Do you know what the “normal” price of the item is? Are you getting all of the accessories normally packaged with the item at this discounted rate? Know what you are buying so you aren’t disappointed later.

Have fun, find good deals and shop in your comfy clothes this Monday….but plan ahead and spend wisely!

Happy Shopping!