Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

'Tis the season to shop!  Check out the latest ways you can score on major holiday sales.

Do you take pride in your shopping skills?  Well, if you need to shape up on shopping smart, have I got some tips for you! If you’re tech-savvy (unlike myself), you’ll definitely want to stock up on applications making scouring the mall a little easier. 

Black Friday is in the forecast, and shopaholics are already learning of leaked deals.  And to stay on top of things, consider downloading TGI Black Friday, an app from Ecatcher.  This application takes it upon itself to scan Black Friday ads before they pop up in your local paper.  You can also set notifications for when new deals come in, and share them via e-mail with your friends and family. 

And if Santa’s list is steadily growing, go for Gift List, an app from Gennubi.  This application is a totally free way to form a budget, allowing you to spend smart throughout the season.  The app keeps track of everything…who you’re shopping for, what you’ve allotted to spend per person, etc. 

Next, FastMall, an app created by MindSmack—this is for all mamas shopping with babies in tow.  This handy application navigates the closest restrooms, so you won’t be hunting for a place to change dirty diapers.  In addition, it also determines the fastest route to any given store, so if you’re not familiar with Fashion Square, this could become quite an asset.  And finally, it helps keep track of where you parked your car using GPS technology.  Eureka!

Lemon by Lemon is another seasonal app you’ll want to get your hands on.  Of course, you’ll probably get gifts worth returning or exchanging, and of course, the receipt always tends to disappear.  Enter Lemon to the rescue!  This app allows you to digitize all your receipts and keep them on record.  Consider it your new virtual filing cabinet.

And here’s one all you Valley vixens will love: ShopStyle by Sugar.  This app lets you search for stuff pretty easy; by brand, store, size, price, etc.  You can also arrange alerts for sales of your most beloved brands. 

Finally, like ShopStyle, ShopSavvy also is a perfect aid for the bargain shopper.  This app lets you compare products, read reviews, and get the scoop on an array of gift ideas.  This app has been re-vamped from last year’s shopping season…it now showcases coupons, offers, and promotions for any mall-loving man or woman. 

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