These days, people are getting more creative with how they spend. When it comes to shopping, many are turning to the Internet for good deals on seasonal items, trendy fashions and the latest in tech gear.

Bidding and buying strategies on sites such as eBay play a key role in how much you’ll pay.

Buy it now. Buy the item at a fixed price and ending the auction right away. There’s no guarantee that if you wait, the price won’t rise higher than the Buy It Now price.

Bid early. Bidding early with a true maximum bid lets eBay’s automatic bidding do the work for you.

Watch, wait, bid late. Watch the listing and wait until near the end to place a bid.

Look for bargains in these areas:

• Get the latest toys and gadgets at a great value to make this year’s backyard vacation more fun than ever.

• Shop by look rather than by designer label and then choose the brand with the best price.

– Courtesy of Family Features,/i>