Shopping online can be convenient, but it’s easy to overspend if you’re not careful. Here are some smart money-saving tips to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible every time you shop online:
1. Use Cashback Apps for Extra Savings
- Cashback apps like Rakuten, Honey, and Ibotta give you a percentage back on purchases from popular stores. Simply activate the cashback offer before shopping to earn money back, which can add up over time and help you save on future purchases.
2. Sign Up for Newsletters and Get Exclusive Discounts
- Many retailers offer a discount code (often 10-20%) for new subscribers to their email newsletters. Sign up with an email address you check often, or create a separate one for deals and promotions. Bonus: Brands sometimes email subscribers exclusive flash sales or special discount codes.
3. Shop During Major Sales Events
- Plan to make larger purchases around annual sales like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day. Retailers often offer huge discounts, and many sites have “countdown” deals with limited-time price drops. If your item isn’t urgent, waiting for a major sale could mean significant savings.
4. Apply Coupon Stacking for Maximum Discounts
- Many sites allow coupon stacking, where you can use multiple coupons on a single order. Stack a general store-wide discount with category-specific coupons, loyalty discounts, and free shipping offers to maximize your savings.
5. Compare Prices with Price-Tracking Tools
- Use price-comparison tools like CamelCamelCamel or Google Shopping to ensure you’re getting the lowest price. Websites like Honey and RetailMeNot also provide price histories, showing if an item’s price has been recently reduced or if it’s likely to drop soon.
6. Take Advantage of Free Shipping or Store Pickup
- Many retailers offer free shipping above a certain order amount. You can bundle items to meet the minimum or select free store pickup to avoid shipping fees altogether.
7. Use Credit Card Rewards and Points
- Many credit cards offer rewards or points for online shopping. Check your card’s rewards site for extra cashback or bonuses when you shop through their affiliate links.
8. Look for Membership Perks
- Programs like Amazon Prime or Walmart+ often offer free or discounted shipping, exclusive deals, and early access to sales. If you shop frequently, the annual membership can pay for itself.
9. Buy Discounted Gift Cards
- Sites like Raise or Gift Card Granny offer discounted gift cards for popular retailers. Buy these cards and use them at checkout to save a few extra dollars on your total purchase.
10. Wait for the Best Price with “Abandoned Cart” Reminders
- Add items to your cart and wait a day or two. Sometimes retailers send “abandoned cart” reminders with a small discount to encourage you to complete the purchase.
11. Check Shein’s “Flash Sales” and “New Arrivals” Sections
Shein frequently runs flash sales on their website, where items can be significantly discounted for a limited time. Keep an eye on the “New Arrivals” section, as there are often introductory discounts available.
In Summary:
Being strategic with your online shopping can make a big difference in your budget. Using cashback apps, stacking coupons, and taking advantage of sales events are simple ways to get more for less. Happy shopping and saving!
Cashback and Rewards Sites
- Rakuten (formerly Ebates) – Earn cashback from thousands of retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Often has seasonal cashback boosts.
- Ibotta – Known for grocery cash back, Ibotta also partners with other retailers for online shopping rebates.
- Swagbucks – Earn points (Swagbucks) for shopping online, watching videos, and taking surveys, redeemable for gift cards or PayPal cash.
- TopCashback – Offers high cashback percentages at many popular stores and has frequent bonus events for extra rewards.
- Shein-Known for its trendy and affordable clothing, Shein frequently offers sales, coupon codes, and flash deals. Join their rewards program for extra discounts and promotions on future purchases.
Coupon and Deal Sites
- RetailMeNot – Aggregates coupon codes, deals, and cashback offers for a wide variety of retailers.
- Honey – Finds and applies coupon codes at checkout automatically. It also tracks prices and offers a cashback program called Honey Gold.
- Coupons.com – Known for printable grocery coupons but also has coupon codes and cashback offers for online shopping.
Discount Gift Cards
- Raise – Buy and sell discounted gift cards for retailers like Starbucks, Target, and Macy’s. Saves 5-20% or more on purchases.
- Gift Card Granny – Aggregates discounted gift card deals from multiple providers.
Price Comparison and Tracking Tools
- CamelCamelCamel – Amazon price tracker that lets you set alerts for price drops on specific items.
- Google Shopping – Allows for price comparisons across different retailers in real time to find the lowest price.
- Honey (Price Drop Notifications) – Besides coupons, Honey also tracks price changes on select items.
Freebies and Free Sample Sites
- Free Stuff Finder – Lists free samples, deals, and discounts, updated daily, across many popular brands.
- Vocalpoint – Allows users to sample and review products, and keep what they try. Focused on family and household items.
- PINCHme – Offers free samples from big brands in exchange for honest feedback.
Other Ways to Save
- Amazon Outlet and Warehouse – Offers discounts on overstocked, open-box, and used items, with high markdowns on popular categories.
- DealNews – Aggregates daily deals on electronics, appliances, clothing, and more, with a focus on tech and home items.
- Slickdeals – Community-driven site where users post the best deals they find; often includes hard-to-find discounts and promo codes.
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