Shopping online for clothes, electronics, and other daily necessities offers not only convenience but also the opportunity to score great deals. To help you get the best value for your money, there are various strategies to maximize savings, cashbacks, and rewards. This article provides a list of tips to help you stretch your budget further while shopping online.
Shop on the Right Day
Sales are typically launched on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, so make the most of the opportunity and save your online shopping for these days. If you have a purchase to make, it’s worth looking out for big sale events such as Black Friday; just make sure to monitor the price in the lead-up to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Utilize Cashback and Reward Apps
Sign up for apps or websites that offer cash back on online shopping, and you can compare which one will give you the best deal each time you make a purchase. You can also sometimes link your credit cards to these apps for automatic rewards.
Take Advantage of Price Matching
Lots of retailers offer price matching on their products, and according to Which?, “it’s worth taking advantage if you’re shopping online. Even though you may have found a great price, you might be able to get the same or better deal from a better-known company.”
Join Group Buying or Wholesale Clubs Online
If you’re looking to buy your everyday essentials online, you could consider joining a group to make the most of bulk discounts. Search for groups on social media, or share a wholesale club membership with friends and family to split the costs and benefits between you.
Utilize Student, Military, or Other Special Discounts
Lots of retailers offer discounts for students, those in the military, and other groups of people. Make sure you have your ID available when you’re shopping online in case you need to verify it and check to see if you can stack other promo codes and offers for maximum savings.
Follow Influencers and Bloggers for Exclusive Deals
By following bloggers and influencers who have shared interests, goals, and aesthetics, you’ll likely find deals and discount codes for products you want. There is also an array of budgeting and money-saving accounts, and Image Magazine suggests spending time curating your feed to inspire you on your budget-friendly spending journey.
Use Price Drop Alert Tools
If you have an item in mind you want to buy, make sure you set up an alert on a price tracking website, and then you’ll get notifications when the price drops. You can set an amount you want to spend on the item and monitor multiple products across different sites with just one tool.
Shop Through Incognito or Private Browsing Mode
When you accept cookies, retailers can sometimes show you a personalized version of the website, including pricing that’s personalized to you. To make sure you’re getting the best deal, choose incognito or private browsing mode and check that the prices aren’t different before you buy.
Buy in Bulk for Everyday Items
By purchasing your non-perishable goods in bulk, you’ll save money in the long run. You may even be able to find bulk discounts or wholesale prices online. Just make sure to consider the storage space and shelf life of the items before buying them, as you don’t want to end up wasting food.
Opt for Refurbished or Open-Box Items
Purchasing items such as electronics can be expensive, and NBC says, “If you’re trying not to dent your bank account, the easiest way to save money is by buying a refurbished device, which is one that is returned, repaired or restored to a like-new condition.”
Take Advantage of Free Shipping Offers
When you’re making a purchase, consider combining your orders or buying something you plan on ordering in the coming weeks to meet the minimum threshold for free shipping. Compare retailers to see if any offer free shipping with no minimum spend, and consider annual subscription services for free shipping if you regularly use the retailer.
Exchange or Sell Unwanted Gift Cards
After a birthday or the holidays, make sure you take any unwanted gifts back to the shop and exchange them for gift cards. You can then use the gift cards online, or if you don’t generally shop with that retailer, have a look at gift card exchange sites online. You can also use these sites to buy discounted gift cards for shops you like.
Monitor Social Media for Flash Sales
Make sure to follow all your favorite brands and shops on social media to be the first to hear about discounts and flash sales. You can also join brand-specific groups or forums for early tips on sales or search related hashtags to discover deals.
Compare Prices Across Multiple Retailers
Use price comparison websites and apps to make sure you’re finding the best deal on branded items every time. There are also browser extensions available that will automatically compare prices as you shop, saving you time and money. It’s also a great idea to check cashback sites before you make a purchase.
Sign Up for Newsletters and Loyalty Programs
According to Money Saving Expert, loyalty schemes are a great way to save with your favorite retailers. “If you’re savvy with these, you can really maximize loyalty points and, in essence, earn yourself ‘free money.’” They also go on to say you might also get perks, such as a free gift on your birthday.
Use Vouchers and Promo Offers
There are plenty of voucher sites available for you to search before you make a purchase online, or you can download a browser extension that will automatically find and apply the best vouchers and discount codes. It’s also a great idea to follow your favorite shops on social media for exclusive discounts.
Abandon Your Shopping Cart
Next time you’re shopping online, try filling up your cart and entering your details, then leave the cart for a day or two as the retailer will often try to tempt you back with a discount. According to Business Insider, “65% of all online carts end up abandoned, so retailers send follow-up emails in an attempt to close the deal.”