Shopping Secrets: How to Find the Best Deals

As you continue to recover from your holiday spending spree, there are simple things you can do to save money on everything from appliances to books.

With insider tips from "ShopSmart" Editor in Chief Lisa Lee Freeman, you'll be shopping savvy in no time.

Appliance Shopping: Timing Is Everything

When it comes to buying appliances, timing is really important. Now is a good time to buy appliances; older models are on sale as new models come in. Check Web sites for sales and rebates.

Fall is also a great time to shop for appliances. Go to the manufacturer's Web site to find any deals. Also go to the price comparison Web sites like shopping.com, yahooshopping.com and bizrate.com.

Do a Price Check

Sometimes stores can fake you out with "5 for $5" types of deals. Research has shown that most consumers think that in these instances, they have to buy five to get the deal. That's not always true. Often, you can buy 1 for $1 as well.

For Bulk-Buying, Check Unit Prices

Studies have shown that 25 percent of the time, larger quantities aren't necessarily a better value. This is true especially with things like ketchup, orange juice and coffee.

Sometimes, smaller, more convenient sizes go on sale. Always check the unit price, or how much the item costs per piece or per pound. Stores are required to display the information on the shelf so you can compare.

For Book Deals, Go Online

On average, online book sellers have the best deal. There is one exception: Big warehouse clubs like Costco and Price Club often have very cheap books, but their selection is limited to best-sellers.

Check AAA for Discounts

With a AAA card, members can get excellent discounts on almost anything associated with hotels and travel. You can also use it at restaurants, museums, for prescriptions and amusement parks. Go to your local AAA site to get details.