I was not the type to set alarms for sale. But this year, I’m giving myself a $100 budget and mission. I’ll be working on Amazon Prime Day like the parents of Plan.
During the holiday gifts for my two kids, the gear back to school, and some kitchen upgrades I’ve been paying attention to, I want to stretch every dollar and perhaps dream a bit myself (if that stroller or coffee maker falls into budget-friendly territory).
I have already told myself 2025 was my low year. We are taking steps to make the most of Prime Day while staying true to our budget and goals.
Step 1: Check the price before sales begin
“I’m now looking at the prices in advance, taking into account what I really want and what I need,” Consumer Reports editor Samantha Gordon suggested to me in an email interview. “Many ‘discounts’ get a ‘Prime Day’ label, even if the prices remain the same. ”
My preparations have already begun. Sales will be held this year from July 8th to 11th, but just a few days before using AI tools to research product prices, curate lists and set up shopping strategies.
Gordon’s Pro Tip: Know what’s costing something before the sale starts. It’s the best way to ensure you actually have a fair deal.
I made the list with Gordon’s advice in mind. It has everything I want to buy in one place and makes price monitoring easier while on sale. I know what the prices last week are, so I know what is actually a deal during Prime Day.
Step 2: First add essentials to your cart
Between my two children’s birthdays, looming holidays, and my youngest child starting kindergarten, my priorities list was beginning to grow. I popped my core items into my Amazon Cart to get my running sub-teal.
I used ChatGpt to help split my budget. $45-$60 I’m looking for combo sets and bundles whenever I can, such as lunch boxes and backpacks, toys and art supplies for kids. I aim to find one special item for each child to store for their holidays.
I have an accurate brand in mind, but I know and trust, but I am trying to be open to well-represented alternatives.
“In many cases, there are low-cost versions of products that work just like these high-end models, so you can always look for different brands,” Gordon said.
“In some cases, they may even have certain features that perform better or outperform more expensive competitors,” she said.
Step 3: Save “hope” to your wish list and let the transaction alert do the work
After prioritizing some important time sensitive items, I can afford about $20.
I put even smaller toys on my Amazon wish list, so you can easily monitor the price before selling.
I also added some specific bakeware items to my wish list, focusing on the home and beauty items I often buy. If you can create smart swaps and catch lightning deals with essentials, you’ll have plenty of room to add these “desires” to your cart.
To monitor prices, I downloaded Honey, a browser plugin that alerts me of trading items on my list and automatically applies coupon codes. Use this tool to get information about competitor pricing for sale without constantly updating your browser.
Step 4: Spilling only if prices reach historic lows
If there are good sales with some more expensive items I’ve seen for a while, such as ceramic rock cookers, stroller wagons, and gorgeous coffee machines, I’d be willing to go beyond my budget.
If any of these items are discounted deeply, I plan to withdraw from one of my savings buckets specializing in specific spending categories such as holidays and housing expenses to cover the costs.
Luckily, I did some research prior to the sale so I won’t be fooled by fake deals. But I also balance my anxiety a bit about the future. I know Black Friday sales are turning the corner, but it’s hard to know if this is the right time to get exactly what I want, beyond my budget.
“This is a difficult question for now due to tariff uncertainty,” shopping expert Trae Bodge said in an email interview.
“The Black Friday discounts are usually deeper than Amazon Prime (except Amazon Proprietary Brands), but prices could potentially increase later in the year.
Step 5: Inhale. There may be better deals first.
Prime Day could be a moving target. Between the sale of lightning bolts and the sense of FOMO you get when those lightning deals hit, it can be difficult to stay strong. It seems like everyone is shopping, and every transaction is made to feel like a “now or never” proposal. My goal is not to get caught up in hype.
“This isn’t the time to buy, but rather the time to adjust your list and see if something is discounted for Prime Day,” Bodge said. “Take time to breathe!”
Remember, there’s a good chance that another sale will be made around the corner.
“We’ll have another chance in a few months,” Gordon said.
“So we can also pay attention to other selling prices and think more about whether the prices will improve in the fall. If they remain the same, you can buy knowing that you won’t miss out on better savings, even if you have to wait a little longer.”
Amanda Baroso writes for Nald Wallet. Email: abarroso@nerdwallet.com.
Article Prime Day Game Plan: How they are working on sales on a $100 budget was originally featured on Nerdwallet.
Original issue: July 3, 2025, 12:17pm EDT
