Stock up and save

Discount shopping tricks and traps, plus the best deals at warehouse clubs

You're expecting a houseful of people for the holidays, so you'll be loading up on food, drinks, and other extras to keep everyone entertained. Wouldn't it be great if you could plug your party list into a computer and have it spit out the lowest prices for each item and where you can find them? Sorry, nope, we can't help you there, but what we were able to do was send dozens of our mystery shoppers to stores across the country armed with a list of holiday party staples like peanuts, crackers, and beer. Their mission: Compare prices at Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, and local supermarkets. In total, they visited more than 130 stores in more than a dozen states. Go to How much warehouse stores can save you to see where they found the best deals.

For tips on saving money on gifts and everything else you need to buy for the holidays, check out our 11-step plan on the next two pages. It can help you beat the system and save hundreds, and maybe even sneak in a little shopping for yourself. It's OK—you're not alone by a long shot! In our new poll on impulse purchases, we asked more than 1,000 women if they'd bought something on a whim in the past year, and almost 60 percent copped to it. Yes, even in this crummy economy. But with all the money you'll save on your holiday shopping with our tips, maybe you can get away with a splurge or two guilt-free this year.

This article appeared in Consumer Reports Shopsmart Magazine.