Your 2025 Holiday Savings Guide (for International Students)

This is an ongoing article and will be updated as the 2025 holiday season continues.

As the holidays approach, gift-giving and end-of-year sales are back in full swing. For international students in the U.S., this can be the best time of year to buy essentials—from everyday groceries and dorm items to laptops, headphones, and travel—if you plan ahead and use the right tools.

In 2025, major retailers are stretching Black Friday and Cyber Monday into weeks of deals, starting as early as late October and running into December. Black Friday 2025 falls on November 28, and Cyber Monday 2025 is December 1, but you’ll see big discounts before and after those dates.

Below are timelines and smart-shopping tips (especially helpful if you’re an international student on a budget), plus direct links so you can sign up or install tools right away.

---

Step 1: Smart Planning for International Students

Before you start shopping:

• Set a holiday budget in USD.
  Decide how much you can spend in total, then break it into categories (gifts, tech, travel, daily essentials, etc.).
• Watch exchange rates.
  If your family sends money in your home currency, check the exchange rate before transferring larger amounts. Small timing changes can add up.
• Check sales tax & shipping.
  U.S. prices often exclude sales tax, which gets added at checkout. Also confirm shipping costs, minimums for free shipping, and whether return shipping is free.
• Understand return policies.
  If you’ll travel home in December/January, make sure any items you buy can be returned or exchanged before you leave, or via mail.
• Use a U.S. payment method when possible.
  A U.S.-based debit or credit card (including app-based accounts) can reduce foreign transaction fees and make online orders smoother.

---

Step 2: Know the 2025 Holiday Deal Windows

You don’t have to memorize every store’s schedule—but it helps to understand the general pattern:

General / “Everything” Retailers

• Walmart
  Expect multiple “Black Friday Deals” events through November, both online and in-store, covering electronics, home, toys, and more.
• Target
  Runs early Black Friday and “Deal of the Day” offers throughout November and December. Create a free Target Circle account for extra savings and personalized offers.
• Amazon
  Promotes “Holiday Deals,” “Early Black Friday,” and “Cyber Monday” offers on everything from small appliances and kitchenware to tech and gift cards.

Electronics & Tech

• Best Buy
  Runs a week+ of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on laptops, tablets, gaming, and appliances, online and in-store. Joining My Best Buy (free tier available) can unlock early access and member deals.
• Wireless carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.)
  Offer trade-in deals, discount bundles (phone + earbuds + watch), and plan promotions—useful if you’re staying in the U.S. long-term.

---

Step 3: Join Student-Only Discount Platforms

These platforms verify that you’re a student and then unlock exclusive discounts across many categories, not just fashion—think tech, food delivery, travel, and more.

UNiDAYS

UNiDAYS is a free platform that gives verified students discounts at big brands across tech, food, travel, entertainment, and more.

• Free to join; you sign up and verify your student status.
• Offers can include % off your order, free trials, or special student plans.
• Common categories: laptops and accessories, phone plans, streaming services, clothing, and everyday brands.

You can use UNiDAYS in a browser or via its mobile app:
UNiDAYS app on Google Play

Student Beans

Student Beans is another free student discount platform, with deals across tech, food, travel, and more, in addition to fashion and beauty.

• Verify once, then unlock a long list of offers.
• Categories include travel (e.g., bus/train discounts), software, electronics, and entertainment.
• They maintain a “trending discounts” section updated frequently so you can see top offers: Latest Student Beans discounts

How to Use These Platforms Effectively

1. Create accounts on UNiDAYS and Student Beans using your university email or other accepted verification methods.
2. Check them first before big purchases (laptop, headphones, travel tickets).
3. Combine with store sales when allowed; sometimes your student code can be applied on top of holiday promos.

Tip: Save each site as a bookmark on your phone and laptop. When you’re on a checkout page, quickly open them to see if the brand is listed and grab a code.

---

Step 4: Install Browser Extensions & Apps (Rakuten, Honey & Friends)

This is where many students save the most with almost no extra work. Once installed, these tools automatically search for cashback or coupons while you shop.

Rakuten – Cashback on Thousands of Stores

Rakuten is a cash-back site and browser extension that lets you earn a percentage of your purchase back at 3,500+ stores when you activate cashback before you shop.

How it works:

1. Sign up for a free Rakuten account.
2. Install the browser extension (Chrome, Edge, etc.) via Rakuten.
3. When you visit a partner store, click “Activate” in the pop-up or start your shopping from Rakuten’s site/app.
4. Shop as normal. Rakuten tracks your purchase and pays cashback via check or PayPal (options can vary).

International tip: If your main bank is outside the U.S., check how you’ll receive payouts (PayPal vs. check) and any currency conversion fees.

PayPal Honey – Automatic Coupon Codes & Rewards

PayPal Honey (often just called “Honey”) is a browser extension that automatically searches for and applies coupon codes at checkout on 30,000+ sites.

Key features:

• One-click “Apply Coupons” button at checkout that tests available codes.
• Rewards program (PayPal Rewards/Honey Gold) at certain stores, which you can redeem later.
• Optional price-tracking features for items you’re watching.

As with any extension, it’s a good idea to:

• Read the permissions it requests in your browser.
• Review its privacy policy.
• Decide what you’re comfortable with before installing.

Other Helpful Tools

• Capital One Shopping – Another free browser add-on that scans for coupons and compares prices across sellers.
• Dosh – A cashback app linked to your card that gives automatic cash back at certain restaurants, stores, and travel bookings—useful for in-person spending.
• Price trackers – Sites like camelcamelcamel.com (for Amazon) can show past price history so you can tell if a “Black Friday deal” is truly a bargain.

---

Step 5: Stack Your Savings (Without Overcomplicating It)

Here’s a simple order to follow when you’re ready to buy:

1. Start with student platforms
   Check UNiDAYS and Student Beans for a code or special offer for the store you’re using.
2. Layer on store promotions
   Use store-wide sales (e.g., “20% off everything” or “Black Friday Deals”) and free loyalty programs like:
   – Target Circle
   – My Best Buy
3. Activate cashback
   Turn on Rakuten (or similar) before completing your purchase.
4. Run coupon extensions
   At checkout, let Honey or another extension test coupon codes. If a student discount code gives you the best price, stick with that.
5. Use a rewards card if you have one
   If you have a student credit card or rewards card, consider using it for extra cashback or points—but only if you can pay your balance on time.

---

Step 6: Stay Safe and On Budget

Holiday deals are exciting, but it’s easy to overspend or fall for scams—especially in a new country.

• Avoid impulse “lightning deals.”
  Timers and “Only 2 left!” messages are designed to pressure you. If it wasn’t on your list or in your budget, take a breath before buying.
• Be cautious with “Buy Now, Pay Later.”
  Services that split payments can help with cash flow, but missed payments can mean fees and affect your credit.
• Watch for fake sites.
  Check that URLs are spelled correctly and start with https://. Avoid clicking random links from DMs or suspicious emails—even if they mention Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
• Save receipts and order confirmations.
  Keep emails and screenshots for returns, warranties, and any issues with shipping.

---

Step 7: Online vs. In-Store (for Students Everywhere)

Whether you’re in sunny California, snowy Minnesota, or somewhere in between, these tips apply:

• Why shop online?
  Easier to compare prices across stores; automatically use tools like Rakuten, Honey, and student discount sites; great if you don’t have a car or live far from big shopping centers.
• Why shop in-store?
  You can see items in person (especially useful for big electronics or furniture) and avoid waiting for shipping or worrying about packages at your door.

Best of both worlds: Order online with your discount and cashback tools active, then choose in-store or curbside pickup if it’s available. You get the online savings plus instant pickup and easier returns.

---

Final Thoughts

The 2025 holiday season is a huge opportunity for international students to:

• Grab essentials you’ll use all year,
• Find good-value gifts for friends and family, and
• Build smart money habits in the U.S.

If you:

• Plan your spending,
• Take a minute to check UNiDAYS and Student Beans,
• Install tools like Rakuten and Honey thoughtfully, and
• Stay alert for fees and scams,

you can make your holiday shopping both fun and financially smart—no matter what state or climate you’re in.