Shopping online can be a smart way to manage your budget, and using the right strategies can help you save even more. These tips will help you to maximize your savings and make the most of your online shopping experience.
Cashback Websites
It’s always smart to use cashback websites like Rakuten and Swagbucks when shopping online. They offer a percentage of your purchase back just for shopping through their links. These platforms partner with various retailers, so you can earn cashback on almost anything you buy online, which will quickly add up.
Abandoning Your Shopping Cart
One of the most valuable yet secret online shopping strategies is to leave items in your cart without completing the purchase. Believe it or not, this can trigger discount offers from retailers, with many e-commerce sites sending follow-up emails with special deals to encourage you to complete your purchase.
Utilizing Discount Codes
Before finalizing any purchase, always search for discount codes first. Websites like RetailMeNot compile all the promo codes for a wide range of online stores, so they’re a good place to start. Take a few moments to look for these codes, and you’ll thank yourself later.
Timing Your Purchases
One of the easiest ways to save more money online is to shop during sales events. Holidays, Black Friday, and other sales feature impressive discounts, and astonishingly, Insight DIY estimates that over one-third of shoppers are waiting for these sales to make their purchases, which is smart.
Using Price Comparison Tools
Another essential online shopping tip is to use price comparison tools. They’re not just for insurance; websites and browser extensions like Honey or CamelCamelCamel allow you to see price variations across different platforms. This way, you can ensure you’re paying the lowest possible price for any item, maximizing your savings.
Signing Up for Newsletters
Few people realize that retailers often reward newsletter subscribers with exclusive discounts. Signing up for these can give you access to special promotions and access to exclusive sales. While inbox clutter is a downside, the savings you gain from these offers often outweigh the minor inconvenience of additional emails.
Joining Loyalty Programs
Some people think loyalty programs are scams, but that couldn’t be more wrong. They offer points for frequent shoppers, which can be redeemed for discounts or free items. Many programs also provide early access to exclusive sales, so joining these programs now can save you cash in the long run.
Following Brands on Social Media
It’s common for brands to share exclusive deals and discount codes with their social media followers, so follow your favorite companies, which helps you stay in the loop about flash sales and special promotions. It’s an easy way to save cash online that many people overlook.
Using Apps for Discounts
To find further discounts online, check out apps like Shopkick or Dosh, which offer discounts and cashback for shopping at specific retailers. These apps provide additional ways to save, sometimes even when shopping in-store, so download them before making any big online purchases.
Reading Reviews Before Buying
While it won’t get you any discount, reading online product reviews can help you avoid poor-quality products that might cost you more in the long run. It only takes a minute; by checking user feedback, you ensure that you’re spending your hard-earned cash on items that will meet your expectations.
Waiting for Free Shipping
Be careful of losing money online through shipping costs, which can add up quickly. If you’re not in a rush, it’s worth waiting around, as many online retailers offer free shipping promotions from time to time. It’s worth considering because, otherwise, shipping costs might outweigh other discounts.
Setting a Budget
It’s always smart to set a clear budget when shopping online. All the discounts can get you lost in the bargains, spending way more than you initially meant to. So, set yourself a hard budget and stick to it, ensuring you don’t fall victim to impulse purchases.
Opting for Bundles
When possible, try to purchase items in bundles or multipacks, which tend to cost less per unit. Many retailers offer discounts for buying in bulk or as part of a set, especially for consumables and household items. Keep an eye out, and you’ll save a surprising amount of cash.
Using Credit Card Rewards
Most credit cards offer rewards points or cashback on purchases, yet so many people forget to use them. That’s crazy because it’s essentially free money; just make sure to pay off your credit card balance each month to avoid interest charges, and it can be a valuable source of rewards.
Monitoring Price Drops
Despite being incredibly useful, few people know about price tracking tools, which alert you when the price of a desired item decreases. Websites like PriceGrabber or extensions like Keepa monitor product prices and notify you of drops, helping you find deals that you otherwise wouldn’t.
Exploring Outlet Sections
Some people think that outlet stores are only in-person, but that’s not true. Online outlet stores often offer just as many, if not more, heavily discounted items. Checking these areas before browsing the main sections can lead to significant savings on quality products that are simply being phased out.
Asking for Price Adjustments
Believe it or not, some retailers offer price adjustments if an item you purchased goes on sale shortly after–all you have to do is ask. It may sound too good to be true, but companies want customer loyalty, so it’s actually a win-win for everyone.
Taking Advantage of Student Discounts
If you are a student and you’re not using student discounts, you’re losing out on so many bargains. Verifying your student status through platforms like UNiDAYS can unlock serious savings on many products and services. So, get it registered, because you only get this discount once in your life.
Shopping During Off-Peak Hours
Few people realize that their favorite online retailers may lower their prices if they shop during off-peak hours. Late at night or early in the morning can be optimal times to find these deals, although hours vary, so it’s worth taking some time to experiment.