How to Save Money While Shopping Online?

How to Save Money While Shopping Online: The Ultimate Guide

Online shopping is more convenient than ever, but it’s also easy to overspend. With strategic shopping habits, you can take advantage of deals, cashback opportunities, and smart purchasing techniques to save significant money. This guide provides expert tips on how to maximize savings while shopping online.

Why Save Money While Shopping Online?

Shopping online offers convenience, but retailers use clever tactics to encourage spending. By applying smart strategies, you can:

• Reduce impulsive purchases
• Get the best deals on products
• Maximize cashback and rewards
• Avoid unnecessary fees and overpaying

1. Use Cashback and Rewards Programs

Cashback programs help you earn money on purchases you’re already making. Here’s how to maximize savings:

Best Cashback Websites & Apps:

• Rakuten (formerly Ebates): Earn up to 10% cashback on popular stores.
• Honey Gold: Rewards points for shopping at partnered retailers.
• Swagbucks: Get cashback and gift cards for purchases.
• TopCashback: offers high cashback rates.

Credit Cards with Cashback Rewards:

Use a credit card that offers cashback on online purchases, such as:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: 1.5% cashback on all purchases.
• Discover It® Cash Back—rotating categories for up to 5% cashback.
• American Express Blue Cash Everyday®—Cashback on groceries, gas, and online shopping.

2. Always Search for Coupon Codes

Before finalizing any purchase, look for promo codes.

Where to Find Coupon Codes:

• RetailMeNot: database of discount codes for thousands of retailers.
• Honey Browser Extension: Automatically applies the best promo codes at checkout.
• Capital One Shopping compares prices and finds coupons.
• Store Email Newsletters: Many retailers offer discounts when you sign up.

3. Compare Prices Before Buying

Prices vary across platforms, so it’s essential to compare before making a purchase.

Best Price Comparison Tools:

• Google Shopping: Shows price comparisons across multiple retailers.
• CamelCamelCamel tracks Amazon price history to ensure you’re buying at the lowest price.
• PriceBlink is a browser extension that alerts you if a lower price is available elsewhere.

4. Take Advantage of Free Shipping

Shipping fees can add up. Avoid them with these methods:

• Join Loyalty Programs: Many stores offer free shipping perks (e.g., Amazon Prime, Walmart+).
• Meet Minimum Order Requirements: Add small items to reach the free shipping threshold.
• Use Free Shipping Codes: Sites like FreeShipping.org list retailers that offer free shipping codes.

5. Shop on the Right Days for the Best Deals

Retailers offer the best discounts on certain days of the week and during seasonal sales.

Best Days to Shop Online:

• Monday: Deals on electronics.
• Wednesday: Clothing discounts.
• Friday: Travel deals (flights, hotels, vacation packages).
• Sunday: discounted household goods.

Seasonal Sales to Watch:

• Black Friday & Cyber Monday: The biggest online shopping discounts.
• Amazon Prime Day: Exclusive deals for Prime members.
• Back-to-School Sales: Great for electronics, clothing, and school supplies.
• End-of-Season Clearance: discounts on fashion and home goods.

6. Buy in Bulk for Extra Savings

When purchasing non-perishable items, consider bulk buying to save in the long run.

Best Websites for Bulk Purchases:

• Costco & Sam’s Club: Membership warehouses with big discounts.
• Boxed.com: No membership required for bulk grocery and household items.
• Amazon Subscribe & Save: Discounts on regularly purchased items.

7. Use Digital Wallets and Store Apps for Exclusive Discounts

Many retailers offer special discounts for using their apps or digital wallets.

Examples of savings apps:

• Target Circle: Exclusive discounts for Target shoppers.
• Walmart+: Free shipping and early access to deals.
• Kohl’s Wallet: Stack multiple discounts and store rewards.

8. Buy Discounted Gift Cards for Extra Savings

Purchase discounted gift cards and use them to shop at your favorite retailers.

Best Places to Buy Discounted Gift Cards:

• Raise.com: Save 5-20% on store gift cards.
• Gift Card Granny: Offers discounted gift cards and cashback rewards.
• CardCash: Buy and sell unwanted gift cards.

9. Sign Up for Store Loyalty Programs

Retail loyalty programs offer members exclusive discounts, early access to sales, and reward points.

Popular store loyalty programs:

• Sephora Beauty Insider: Earn points and get free samples.
• Best Buy Rewards: Exclusive tech deals and rewards.
• Walgreens Balance Rewards: Discounts on pharmacy and personal care items.

10. Abandon Your Cart for Additional Discounts

If you leave items in your cart without checking out, retailers may send discount offers via email to encourage you to complete the purchase.

11. Consider Refurbished or Open-Box Items

Buying refurbished or open-box items can save you up to 50% compared to new items.

Best Places to Buy Refurbished Products:

• Amazon Renewed: Certified refurbished electronics.
• Apple Refurbished Store: Discounts on MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads.
• Best Buy Open-Box: Deals on returned and inspected electronics.

12. Stack Multiple Discounts for Maximum Savings

Combine cashback, promo codes, and rewards points for the best deal. Example:

• Use a discount code to reduce the price.
• Pay with a cashback credit card to earn rewards.
• Shop through a cashback site like Rakuten.
• Redeem store rewards points for additional discounts.

FAQs

1. What is the best cashback app for online shopping?

Rakuten and Honey offer some of the best cashback opportunities for online shoppers.

2. How can I get free shipping on my orders?

Sign up for store memberships, meet order minimums, and use free shipping promo codes.

3. Is it safe to use coupon codes online?

Yes, but ensure you’re using trusted sites like RetailMeNot or Honey to avoid scams.

4. What’s the best time of year to shop online for deals?

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, and end-of-season sales offer the biggest discounts.

Conclusion

Saving money while shopping online is all about strategy. By combining cashback offers, promo codes, price comparisons, and loyalty programs, you can drastically cut costs on your purchases. Start applying these tips today and keep more money in your pocket!

Want more money-saving tips? Check out our other financial guides and share your favorite online shopping hacks in the comments!