How Federal Employees Can Save Money While Christmas Shopping

These are some resources to help federal employees save money on their Christmas shopping.

The Christmas season seems to stretch earlier and earlier into fall. This is wonderful for spreading cheer and soaking in a few extra weeks of merriment. However, with the commercialization of Christmas, it can also exacerbate the stress of gift giving. From early Black Friday deals to holiday gift guides, there are tons of deals to be had. For federal employees, these deals can be even more lucrative.

Many of these vendors want to share their appreciation for you and want to make your buying experience seamless and hassle free. Each of these deals varies widely and sometimes come with certain conditions that need to be met. Be sure to read the fine print to understand exactly how to score an unbeatable deal. 

ID.me

ID.me is one of the most well-known and popular sites that connects federal employees with retailers offering discounts. ID.me has over 10 different categories from clothing to health and beauty to home and office supplies. You’ll find hundreds of brands like Under Armour, Nike, and Epson as well as deals that range from 1% cash back to 30% off your order. 

Be sure to explore all the different categories to get inspired by the breadth of deals available. You can likely find something for everyone on your holiday list from kids to teens to grandma. And don’t forget to check out experiences like movie and tickets, tickets to theme parks, and events for fun gifts they’ll remember for years to come. 

Using ID.me is simple. Once you create a free account, you can start to shop almost immediately. You’ll have to submit a photo ID verifying your job and identity and your social security number. Rest assured, ID.me uses bank-grade encryption to keep your personal information personal and you have control over which information gets shared. 

ID.me offers discounts to not only federal employees, but also teachers, first responders, and health care workers. You must read each deal to see that it applies to federal employees or set your filters to only list deals that apply to federal employees. 

Govx

Govx is similar to ID.me in that it is an easy and convenient way for federal employees to find discounts from a variety of retail stores. However, unlike ID.me, it is only available to law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service people, military, and federal employees. There are many different brands available like retail companies, travel offers, and venues hosting special events. 

Create a free account and begin shopping on the Govx website. Prices are given only to members though anyone can browse their inventory. In addition to purchasing directly from their secure website, you’ll also find several partner websites to shop from. Many of the products and brands are geared toward military, law enforcement, and federal employees like Helm Boots, TLO Outdoors, and Rock Rooster. 

Govx partners with several major sports leagues including MLB, NBA, and NHL to offer members discounts on sports tickets. These tickets make for great gifts for any serious (and casual) sports fanatic in your life. 

The Govx website is easy to navigate and features a blog with articles relevant to federal employees. They also frequently have flash deals so it’s in your best interest to check the website regularly. 

Brands that Reward Federal Employees

There are also many companies that offer discounts to federal employees with a valid ID independent of any aggregate website or membership. For example, the travel planner FedCruise offers deals directly to feds. 

Technology brands like Apple and Samsung each offer discounts to federal employees through their websites. These deals may change throughout the year but in some cases can be up to 30% off. It’s worth researching what deals they offer if you’re in the market for new technology. 

Working for the government isn’t always easy. Federal jobs often require long hours and pay that isn’t always equivalent to the private sector. However, serving your country can be incredibly rewarding in other ways. Many retailers want to express their appreciation for all you do and sacrifices you’ve made by offering federal employees special rates. Take advantage of these opportunities this holiday season and give gifts they’ll love. 

About the Author

Jason Kay is a professional resume writer and regular contributor to KSADoctor.com, a professional federal resume service and repository of sample KSA statements.