As the stock market continues its disappointment, unemployment rises, and necessities rise in cost, it is becoming even more difficult for gamers to justify that $60 price tag on most games these days. Luckily for all of us gamers, there are various options to help us stretch our wallet. Whether you are looking to buy new, used or even trade games, I am here to broaden your horizon on various ways to nab a great deal on the game you want.

Buying new can be costly, but only if you must have a game the day it comes out. Even then it is not impossible to find some good deals on brand new games. Various stores and websites will have day one deals with up to $10 - $15 off the MSRP or trade-in deals to bring the cost down. The often hated GameStop many times has trade-in deals towards new titles. These deals can range from getting a game for $20 or less, or fully paid off if you take advantage of the right bargain. Many times GameStop will tack on an extra 10 - 40% (Edge Card holders get an extra 10% on all trade-ins) for a certain number of games traded in, maximizing your value. Amazon also has trade-in specials towards new games, that can even net you up to 50% off the price, but you will have to mail your games to them.

Also when buying new, patience can usually bring about the best deal. If one can wait one to three months, many times games will end up with a price cut or on sale/clearance. You might just be able to snag a game that was retailing at $60 a few months ago for $30 or less. Some stores like Target, Wal-Mart, and Sears sometimes throw games on clearance rather quickly and can easily be found at $20 or less. They say patience is a virtue, but it's also your biggest ally in game savings.

Buying used can also bring about great results. GameStop can be a nice spot to grab used titles, and my suggestion is to wait for their Buy 2 used games, get 1 free sales. You can also see the quality of the game you are getting from in store shopping as well, so be sure to ask the clerk to let you see the condition of the disc. Once again, Edge Card holders will receive an additional 10% off used games.

But for those who once again can't stand to set foot in the door of a GameStop, the online arena has a wide selection of sites to get used titles. Amazon has a Marketplace in which they sell their own used titles, or you can purchase from other sellers. They do have conditions laid out, but there is no true guarantee buying from a 3rd party seller. Many times though the sellers will constantly drop prices to battle for the lowest price and quickest sale. So be sure to keep checking back for the best deal. Amazon also has a Videogame Deal of The Day and at times all day gaming lightning deals.

EBay and Half.com are a couple other sites you can grab used games on the cheap. Many times you can save $5 - $20 off the used prices of GameStop or Amazon Marketplace just by bidding on EBay auctions. Don't forget that buying a disc only copy instead of the complete package will also normally save you more money as well.

When it comes to videogame trading, there are a slew of internet sites out there that can help you get the most value out of games you are currently trying to unload. Goozex.com utilizes a currency based on points and all matching is done by an automated matrix to create a simple user interface. Goozex allows users to trade their games for points, which can then be used to purchase games from other users with those points. The only requirements to receive games are sufficient amount of points and 1 trade token.  Tokens are $1 a piece, but the more you buy at once, the higher the discount on the price. To offer or request games, you enter a queue and when you are next in line with the correct amount of points and a token, you will be matched up with a user to send or receive. The site can be intimidating to new users who will see long wait times on many games, but be patient and as you become more active, you will see wait times reduce dramatically. Goozex users currently offer over 10,000 games across 13 platforms and even have a Goozex.eu site for the European members.

Looking for a more direct way to trade your games? Then check out Gametz.com and work out your own conditions for each trade with another user. Gametz.com allows users to lists detailing their wants, what they have available and what is in their collections. You can easily specify in detail every item you have up for trade and communicate more easily with other traders to work out the right trade for you. While Goozex is strictly region specific, Gametz allows for the trading of imports as well. So the fans of import gaming will definitely want to check here first. You can also buy and sell if you would prefer not to trade your own games. Gametz has been around for over 10 years and with thousands of active members, you are sure to nab a good deal.

Finally a website that all gamers should have bookmarked on their internet browsers is Cheapassgamer.com. This is the best site out there to stretch your wallet and get the most bang for your gaming buck. Started by CheapyD, Cheapassgamer (CAG) is a site that compiles the best videogame deals around. Whether it is in store or online, you can be assured that CAG will have the deal for you, since members of the forums are always willing to share a deal they have found with everyone. Recently CheapyD has been working on a complete renovation to the site with a more robust price tracker and price alerts through e-mail. The recent addition of game collections and wish list has led to a brand new way to trade on the site. You can showcase games you would like to trade and see what others have to offer. It will even alert you when games you want are available through other users. So whether you are looking to find a great deal on games or want to do some direct trading, CAG is a must visit for all.

I hope everyone finds the information here useful and I know this doesn't cover all options available to everyone, but I felt these are the biggest names out there that provide the best opportunity to those looking to find the best deals. Whether you like the some of the choices or not, there are plenty of options for all gamers to save money these days. If this article helps even a handful of people save money in these tough economic times, then I have succeeded. Don't forget to also listen to the Aggrocast where we have a Bargain Bin segment each episode, in which each of us give our picks for cheap deals readily available.