If you're set on scoring some deals this holiday season, you could do what thousands of Americans are planning to do--leave your Thanksgiving meal early and wait outside for hours in the cold.
 
...Or you could wait until Monday and shop from the comfort of your own home. It's a tough choice.
 
Cyber Monday is predicted to be the biggest online shopping day of the year. But before you click "buy" you should double-check a few things:
 
Have you factored in shipping? That high-end TV might be more than 50% off, but if the shipping isn't discounted, you might end up saving more money buying it at full-price from the store down the street. Many retailers are offering free shipping as a Cyber Monday deal or incentive to spend a certain amount, so consolidate orders to get the best savings.
 
What time is the deal active? There's nothing more disappointing than spotting a deal, running an errand, and then coming back to realize the deal was only available for an hour. Make sure to check when the deal starts and ends, as well as the time zone the retailer is in.
 
Is there a promo code? Check the details of the sale for any codes or passwords you have to enter and write them down. Often, the sales aren't automatic and you'll have to enter those codes before you pay. If you forget to write down the code, it can be a hassle to backtrack and find it once you're all the way to the checkout page. Make sure the correct discount has been applied before you finalize payment.
 
Watch out for phishers. There are bound to be a ton of deals flooding your email inbox, which makes Monday a prime day for scammers, too. But no matter what day it is, remember that a deal that sounds too good to be true probably is! If you're not sure whether a deal is legitimate, or if the email looks suspicious, do a quick Google check. Enter the site's URL into your browser rather than clicking on suspicious links. Above all, use common sense. Learn more about identifying and avoiding phishing scams.
 
Check out www.cybermonday.com to view a sampling of some of the deals available on Cyber Monday.
 
And don't forget to shop at local businesses in your community this holiday season as well. Consider showing your support by participating in Small Business Saturday!
 
Happy holiday shopping!