Having a plan ahead of the sale can help you get the best discounts

• Ahead of Amazons Prime Big Deal Days, shoppers can start preparing to make the most of the sale.

• Knowing what to buy, and what to wait on, can ensure you get the maximum savings.

• There are several tools available to stack savings and help shoppers prepare their wishlists.

Amazon recently announced its plan for its Prime Big Deal Days on October 7-8, touting sales that consumers can take advantage of immediately.

As exciting as these big sales can be, they can also be overwhelming for shoppers.

To help break it all down and make sure youre getting the most out of this multi-day sales event, ConsumerAffairs spoke with RetailMeNots Retail Insights Expert Stephanie Carls.

The Dos and Donts of Prime Day

Carls shared her best tips for consumers to get the most out of Prime Day. Heres a look at some of her dos and donts:

• Dont wait! Remember that Prime Day always starts early Amazon often drops pre-sale deals in the days leading up.

• Know what categories to buy for top savings. Expect the biggest savings on toys, Amazon devices, small appliances, home goods and electronics.

• Compare prices. Check other retailers (like Walmart, Target, Best Buy) since they often hold competing sales.

• Use tools and apps. Deal tracker, price comparison tools and cash back platforms like RetailMeNot can help you stack savings

• Make a list. Go in with a plan so youre buying what you need and not just what looks like a good deal

What to buy and what to skip

Just because there are great sales, doesnt mean that its the best time to buy everything youve had your eye on.

While Prime Day offers plenty of great deals, some categories see better discounts later in the year, Carls said. For example, its usually better to wait on TVs and certain tech items until Black Friday or Cyber Monday when retailers push their deepest holiday promotions. Holding off a little longer on these categories can lead to deep savings.

However, there are some things youll definitely want to get during the upcoming sales.

Prime Big Deal Days is one of the best times to shop for:

• Toys: Amazon teased major toy discounts from LEGO, Fisher-Price, Tonies and more. Plus, toys tend to sell out quickly during the holiday season, so it's best not to wait on this category.

• Amazon devices: Think Fire Sticks, Echo speakers, Ring doorbells, Kindles and more.

• Small appliances: Items like air fryers, coffee makers and robot vacuums tend to see great discounts during Prime Day.

Extra savings

There are even ways to save even more ahead of Prime Day. Carls shared her best tips to help consumers be prepared and as knowledgeable as possible in advance of the sales.

• Check out competing sales.Amazon usually isn't the only retailer offering sales in October. We recommend checking out all upcoming sales to compare prices to really make sure you're getting the best deal.

• Use the Amazon app to get deal alerts.The Amazon app can notify shoppers when wishlist items go on sale.

• Put deals on your wishlist in advance.Add items now to easily track discounts and pounce when prices drop.

• Let Alexa help you. In the past, shoppers could ask Alexa "What are my Prime Day deals?" for exclusive offers, or have Alexa alert them when wishlist items go on sale.

• Stack your savings.RetailMeNot often features exclusive cash back on Amazon Devices. When you shop through RetailMeNot, those cash back rewards stack on top of Amazon's sale prices, helping you maximize savings.

• Get a Prime Membership.Deals are Prime-exclusive; sign up for a free 30-day trial if you're not a member.

Experts say the lines get blurry between wants and needs when it comes to spending habits

• A new survey from TopCashBack revealed that nearly three in four consumers lie about their spending to their loved ones out of fear of judgment or conflict.

• A consumer expert shared that emotions play a bigger role in spending than many may realize.

• If you struggle to budget and are often overspending, there are tangible ways to start making better money choices.

If you have a spending problem, youre not alone.

If you tend to hide that spending problem, youre also not alone.

TopCashBack, a global cashback service, recently conducted a survey of 2,000 consumers across the country to get a better idea of the emotions behind overspending, including why people so often lie to their loved ones about how much they spend.

To break down the findings, and offer insights on how to stick to budgets, ConsumerAffairs spoke with TopCashBacks consumer expert Destiny Chatman.

Where are people overspending?

The survey revealed that 73% of respondents nearly three in four people have lied about a purchase they made.

"Our survey shows people are most likely to overspend and then downplay the cost for tech, dining out, and fashion, Chatman said.

Almost half (47.3%) admitted to overspending on tech, 45.4% on dining and takeout, and 34.9% on fashion. These are everyday categories where its easy to blur the line between a want and a need, which makes them easier to justify and easier to hide."

Why are people lying about their spending?

Chatman said the majority of the reason for lying about spending comes down to a feeling of judgment or fear of conflict with a loved one.

"The main reason people lie is to avoid conflict with someone in their life, Chatman said. Nearly half (47.5%) said they lie to avoid conflict with a partner, parent, or friend, and 36.9% said they do it to feel less guilty.

Emotions also play a big role. Excitement, boredom, and stress were the top drivers of overspending. When you combine emotional spending with fear of judgment, it makes sense that people feel the need to cover up what they buy."

Breaking the habit

If you relate to these survey findings, hope isnt lost. Chatman says there are ways to break this habit and feel better about your spending.

"Recognizing the patterns is the first step, she said. Many people admitted they justify purchases with thoughts like Ill use it often (35.3%) or Ill regret it if I dont buy it (31.5%). When you know these are common mental traps, its easier to pause and ask yourself if the purchase really matches your priorities.

Making small shifts like using budgeting apps, shopping lists, or earning cash back when you shop can help turn those guilty splurges into smarter money habits."

Spending wisely

Chatman highlighted another key finding from the study that could help consumers feel less guilty about their purchases.

"One of the most surprising findings was that two-thirds (67.4%) believe theyd lie less about spending if they regularly earned savings or rewards, she said. That suggests that the guilt consumers feel isnt always tied to buying something unplanned; its about feeling wasteful.

When spending feels smarter and more rewarding, people are more confident and open about their habits. The takeaway is that you dont need to stop treating yourself, but finding ways to do it wisely makes all the difference."

Two storms are brewing in the Atlantic and could create dangerous conditions by Monday

• Tropical rainstorm could strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda as it nears the Bahamas this weekend

• Heavy rain and dangerous flooding possible in the Carolinas early next week

• Hurricane Humberto also strengthening, expected to pass between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast

Forecasters urge early preparation

AccuWeather hurricane experts are urging people, businesses and officials in the Southeast U.S. to prepare now for potential tropical storm impacts early next week. A system that developed near Hispaniola is forecast to organize into a tropical storm as it tracks toward the region, raising the risk of flooding rainfall and gusty winds.

We are advising people across the Carolinas to be prepared for the possibility of a landfalling storm between Monday and Wednesday, said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.

Growing flooding risk

The tropical rainstorm, moving toward the Bahamas, is entering an area with warm waters and less disruptive wind shearconditions favorable for development. AccuWeather says the storm could quickly strengthen and be named Imelda. If that occurs, it could become a hurricane later this weekend or early next week.

Regardless of landfall, forecasters have growing confidence in a heavy rainfall threat extending from Georgia through the Carolinas, with the potential for life-threatening flooding, coastal storm surge, and rough surf.

Humberto strengthens in the Atlantic

Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto, the third hurricane of the season, is expected to rapidly intensify as it moves west between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast. Humberto is forecast to become the third major hurricane of the year, bringing gusty winds and several inches of rain to Bermuda and creating hazardous surf along much of the East Coast starting Sunday.

Complicated forecast with two storms

Forecasters say the interaction between Humberto and the developing tropical system has made this forecast especially complex. Depending on how the two systems influence each other, the storm near the Bahamas could either:

• Weaken and get absorbed into Humberto, with U.S. impacts limited to downpours and rough surf; or

• Strengthen and track more directly toward the Southeast, bringing widespread flooding and damaging winds, especially across the Carolinas.

Residents urged to stay alert

AccuWeather experts encourage residents in the Southeast to restock emergency kits, review evacuation routes, and monitor local alerts through the weekend.

The updated AccuWeather 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast now calls for 1316 named storms and six to nine hurricanes, slightly fewer than earlier predictions due to a midseason lull. However, the outlook for three to six direct U.S. impacts has not changed.

What to do now

• Restock emergency kits with food, water, flashlights, batteries, medications and important documents.

• Review evacuation routes and know your local evacuation zones.

• Charge devices and backup power in case of extended outages.

• Clear gutters and drains to reduce flooding risk around your home.

• Stay tuned to local alerts and AccuWeather updates through the weekend.

The cars may catch fire while parked and unattended and should not be parked in garages

BMW of North America has issued anew park outside recallfor nearly 200,000 model year 2019-2022 BMW vehicles due to a risk of fire while parked or being driven. Owners should park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until they either confirm their vehicle is not subject to the recall or have their vehicle remedied.

The recalled BMW models are:

• 2019-2022 Z4
• 2019-2021 330I
• 2020-2022 X3
• 2020-2022 X4
• 2020-2022 530I
• 2021-2022 430I standard and convertible
• 2022 230I

The recall also affects 1,469 2020-2022 Toyota Supra vehicles manufactured by BMW.

The engine starter relay in the recalled vehicles may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit, which may cause a fire.

Due to a lack of parts availability, BMW will be conducting a phased recall. Interim notification letters to owners are scheduled to be mailed on Nov. 14, with a second notice being sent as remedy parts are available. Owners can call BMW customer service at800-525-7417with questions.

The vehicle identification numbers for affected vehicles will be searchable on NHTSA.gov starting Nov. 14. Starting on that date, owners can visitNHTSA.gov/recallsand enter their license plate number or 17-digit VIN to see if their vehicle is under recall, or or call NHTSAs Vehicle Safety Hotline at888-327-4236. NHTSA also encourages everyone to download itsSaferCarapp to stay informed on current recalls.