“Special Edition: Holiday Shopping - Save More & Stress Less”

Podcast: The NewsWorthy
Host: Erica Mandy
Guest: Trey Bodge (Smart Shopping Expert)
Date: November 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special Saturday edition of The NewsWorthy, host Erica Mandy sits down with expert Trey Bodge to discuss the 2025 holiday shopping season. The episode covers the unique landscape this year: price increases due to tariffs, murky inventory projections, the rise of AI-powered shopping, changing discount patterns, and the best ways to save, spot scams, and avoid overspending while still bringing holiday cheer. Listeners are equipped with actionable tips for budgeting, timing purchases, choosing payment methods, and even gift-giving philosophy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Changing Holiday Shopping Landscape (00:00 – 03:55)

• Tariff Uncertainty & Higher Prices
  • Trey highlights, “We've been on this roller coaster with the tariffs throughout the year… some of that increase gets shared to the consumer.” (01:25)
  • Prices on many items are slightly higher; retailers are absorbing some costs, but not all.
• Potential Inventory Issues
  • There are whispers of inventory problems because retailers pulled back holiday orders due to tariff uncertainty.
  • “If there's a toy for a child and they're dying to have that toy and it's on all the hot toy lists… you might want to get that toy right now.” (03:21)
• Shallower Discounts
  • “Discounts are not going to be as deep this year… it's all a big question mark.” (03:39)
• Black Friday and Cyber Monday Still Key
  • Shoppers should get organized now, but major discounts are expected during these periods.

2. Smart Planning & Budgeting for the Season (02:20, 03:13, 15:57)

• Start with Organization
  • Make a list of recipients, gift ideas, and assign a budget per person.
  • If budget is tight, reconsider your spending, suggest alternatives like white elephant, or scale back.
• Anticipate Shortages
  • Have backups for must-have gifts due to potential inventory shortages.
• Self-Gifting Awareness
  • “Add yourself to your gift list… set a budget for yourself as well.” (15:57)

3. Using AI Shopping Tools (04:22 – 06:20)

• Rise of AI in Shopping
  • Tools like Amazon Rufus, Wayfair’s AI, and ChatGPT collaborations can help with personalized gift finding.
  • “You can ask AI a lot of questions. You could say, what are your top five recommendations for a child who's 8 years old…” (04:32)
  • AI is fast and good for inspiration, but has limitations—can suggest outdated or unavailable products.
• Limitations of AI
  • “AI… can only pull from information that's available… so it can’t do everything.” (05:50)

4. Avoiding Fake Deals & Scams (06:20 – 07:39)

• Spotting Red Flags
  • Confirm URLs begin with “https.”
  • Watch for misspellings in store names or URLs.
  • Avoid buying directly through social media deals or unknown sites; instead, go directly to the retailer’s website.
  • Use third-party services like Trustpilot to vet unfamiliar sellers.
• Social Media & AI Risks
  • “Scammers… kind of crawl into Instagram or TikTok and put up fake sites and posts…” (06:29)

5. In-Store vs. Online Shopping (07:39 – 08:25)

• In-Store Pros
  • Good when you want to try, touch, or see quality.
• Online Pros
  • Use your phone for real-time price comparisons.
  • Note: Some stores (like Target) have scaled back on matching competitor prices.

6. False Markdowns and Dynamic Pricing (08:18 – 09:12)

• Dynamic Pricing Dangers
  • “What might look like the most amazing deal… maybe that 40% off is on an elevated price.” (08:25)
  • Use tools like Yahoo Shopping to check the price landscape.
• Research First
  • Compare across platforms, verify that the deal is genuine before buying.

7. Essential Shopping Tools & Browser Extensions (09:14 – 10:15)

• Top Recommendations
  • Coupon Cabin, Shopback, PayPal Honey, Rakuten, SlickDeals.
  • Use one or two, compare offers, and take advantage of pop-up deals.
  • “If you don't mind seeing all these pop ups when you're shopping, you could kind of compare and contrast and pick the best offer, which is what I do. Maybe a little overkill, but… it really does pay off.” (09:17)

8. Payment Methods: Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and Maximizing Rewards (12:52 – 14:43)

• Credit Cards for Rewards
  • Use cards that offer points, cashback, or miles, and use store cards only if you pay off in full (due to high interest rates).
• Fraud Protection
  • Credit cards offer more security than debit cards for online shopping.
• Choosing the Right Card
  • Use cards that fit your spending habits—groceries, travel, etc.
  • For those with debt, use debit cards cautiously and consider using just one credit card for all shopping, paying it off monthly.

9. Timing & Last-Minute Shopping Advice (14:43 – 15:53)

• Early Planning Reduces Stress
  • “If you're organized and you have your list and you can shop methodically… it's not bad to shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.” (14:56)
• Waiting for Late Discounts
  • Bargain bin holiday items may see deepest discounts last minute but risk inventory shortages and higher stress.

10. Gift-Giving Philosophy & Managing Expectations (16:26 – 17:13)

• Budget-Conscious Gifting
  • Buy within your means, regardless of others’ spending.
  • “Try to stay in your own camp and not worry about what everybody else is doing.” (16:26)
• Generosity & Joy
  • Stats show people want to give more to spread joy. Trey’s advice: it’s okay to give generously if it brings happiness, but don’t go over budget.

11. Giving Back: Trey’s Foundation for Entrepreneurs 40+ (17:40 – 18:50)

• Personal Project
  • Trey discusses launching Threadneedle Alley, which offers $5,000 annual grants to entrepreneurs age 40+ along with mentorship from seasoned business owners.
  • “Applications on threadneedleally.org where entrepreneurs that are 40 years and up… can apply for one of our annual $5,000 grants.” (17:46)
  • Threadneedle Alley is also accepting donations for Giving Tuesday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scarcity:
  “If there’s a toy for a child and they’re dying to have that toy and it’s on all the hot toy lists… you might want to get that toy right now.” – Trey Bodge [03:21]
• On AI Shopping Tools:
  “You can ask AI a lot of questions. You could say, what are your top five recommendations for a child who's 8 years old, who likes science?...” – Trey Bodge [04:32]
• On Scam Avoidance:
  “If you see a deal that looks amazing, I would pull away from the AI chatbot or social media and then go directly to the retailer…” – Trey Bodge [06:29]
• On Self-Gifting:
  “Add yourself to your gift list is what my recommendation would be. And set a budget for yourself as well.” – Trey Bodge [15:57]
• On Keeping Perspective:
  “Buy what you can afford. Buy what works for your budget, not what they might expect or what their budget might allow for.” – Trey Bodge [16:33]
• On Generosity in 2025:
  “If you’re inclined to give a gift and you know it’s going to bring someone some joy, just do it this year because we need to smile as much as possible right now.” – Trey Bodge [17:18]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 – Setting the scene: Tariffs, inventory, higher prices
• 03:21 – What to buy now vs. later
• 04:22 – AI shopping tools & tips
• 06:20 – Scams and fake deals online
• 07:39 – In-store vs. online shopping comparisons
• 08:18 – False markdowns and combating dynamic pricing
• 09:14 – Best browser extensions for deals
• 12:52 – Credit cards, rewards, and payment safety
• 14:43 – Strategies for last-minute shoppers
• 15:57 – Budgeting and self-gifting
• 17:18 – Gift-giving philosophy & spending expectations
• 17:46 – Threadneedle Alley foundation for 40+ entrepreneurs

Tone and Language

The conversation is upbeat, practical, and friendly—delivering actionable strategies in a reassuring style. Trey brings a mix of expert insight and relatable humor, while Erica asks clear, concise questions as a “trusted friend” guiding listeners through a complex season.

For more from Trey Bodge:

• Visit truetray.com
• Social @TrueTrey
• Learn about grants for 40+ entrepreneurs at threadneedlealley.org

In summary:
This episode arms listeners with the tools and mindset to shop smarter, safer, and more joyfully this holiday season, despite market uncertainty. The practical tips, warnings, and expert philosophy make this a must-listen for anyone wanting to save money and reduce stress during gift-giving time.