Helping You Save Money on DVDs for the Holidays

DVDs are a popular and appropriate gift for most everyone on my Christmas gift list, so when I buy DVDs, I want to make sure I can get the best deals possible. Here are some places that I often find good deals on DVDs, and I hope they help you as well.

#1: Wal-Mart Whether you need to find a children's DVD or new release DVD, Wal-Mart will likely have it. During the first week of release, many titles are marked down as promotional items, and can save you money if you're able to buy a DVD at that time. Wal-Mart also has a special selection of DVDs in bins that are $5/movie, along with other shelves of DVDs based upon price. Some newer selections can even be found for $12.97, which isn't a bad deal considering the length the movie has been on the market. Boxed sets, especially those of TV shows, can be found at a good price as well.

#2: Target Target has several options for DVD purchases, whether you're buying DVDs for your children or your older sister. Many DVDs are on sale from week to week, at prices that are affordable. I recently spotted some TV box sets of Reba, Everybody Loves Raymond, Buffy, etc., all which were $10-$20 for two seasons. Originally, these DVD sets per season could cost $30 for just one season! By buying two, you save money and may even get an extra season for free!

#3: eBay eBay is an online auction that allows you to bid on thousands of DVDs. This would be the place to find obscure DVDs, bid, and then hopefully win your item at a cost you were comfortable setting yourself. Keep in mind that you need to allow time for shipping, so beginning Christmas shopping may serve you better in November in order to ensure that the item gets to you well before Christmas.

#4: Half.com Half.com is another website that is similar to eBay. However, you can buy DVDs from Half.com outright, skipping the auction process. There is a wide range of options, including boxed sets, concert DVDs, TV shows from the 1950s, etc.

#5: FYE While this store isn't typically known for inexpensive DVDs, they do have bargain sales. I was able to buy Season 1 of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for $14.95, which saved me $10 vs. buying the DVD set at a department store. When you take the time to look around and see what DVDs are available, you might find yourself being pleasantly surprised with the sales you'll come upon!

Note: The day after Thanksgiving is one of the best days to find bargains on DVDs. Wal-Mart sells some DVDs for $2-$5, while Target sells selected titles from $3. These are titles that are specifically set for the day after Thanksgiving shopping or "Black Friday," and have saved me several dollars on DVDs for my friends and family. I've even found such good bargains during these sales that I've bought myself a few TV seasons because the prices were so low. It's a great deal!

DVD bargains can come and go throughout the holiday season, but if you take the time to research the weekly ads, you'll find yourself having the opportunity to save money during the holiday sales. This will help you stay within your budget, and get the gifts you'd like for less than their normal price.