Depending on where you live you may already be flooded with flyers and advertisements for Boxing Day shopping. This is one of the biggest retail events of the year. In some ways I think it is busier than Christmas.  If you are going to head out shopping this year, take these 10 tips with you.

1. Shop at Thrift Stores. Interestingly, many people donate items that they got for gifts that they don’t want and you can get great deals on these new items at thrift stores.

2. Shop online. Many stores allow you to buy online and will still honour Boxing Day deals even if you don’t step foot in the store. This is a great way to save on gas since you don’t have to drive to get the items you want. This saves money and the environment. It also helps save time because you don’t have to wait in long entry lines.

3. Buy locally. Try to shop at local venues. Not only does this support local businesses and your home economy, but it also helps reduce your carbon footprint. The local goods you buy have had to travel a lot less to get into your hands.

4. Use reusable shopping bags. Get yourself into the habit of always having one around. They reduce your environmental impact and save you money since most stores now charge for plastic bags.

5. Switch off electricity before you go shopping. Boxing Day shopping can turn into an all day affair and can leave you gone from your home for hours. Why not unplug all of your electronics and turn off all of your lights before you leave.

6. Buy energy efficient products. Check the flyers and deals to see if the products are eco-friendly. Not only will you save money from the initial Boxing Day sale but you will also save money and the planet later as these devices use less electricity to run.

7. Buy products made from recycled goods. Depending on the store, you may be able to find the items you need on sale that are made from recycled materials. Check these options out.

8. Pack a green lunch. If you are going to be out shopping all day, bring a vegetarian lunch with you to munch on. Not only does this save you money since you won’t need fast food but it also helps the environment. Farms are the biggest produces of greenhouse gases.

9. Don’t buy anything. Make it. You don’t need to buy many of the items that stores try to sell you, even on Boxing Day. In fact, many of them can be made for cheap. All you need to do is go to your local library and check out books on homemade products. This allows you to control the materials you use, the cost of the product, and the quality. It also saves you money since making something yourself is 9 times out of 10 cheaper than buying it.

10. Leave your car at home. If you can manage it, walk, ride a bike, or take the bus to the stores you want to check out. This saves you gas as well as limits your carbon footprint.

You see, it really isn’t that hard to shop green and budget friendly, even at this time of year. You just need to devise  a plan ahead of time.

So what kind of shopping are you going to do this week? Are you going to take advantage of the deals?