It's no secret that online shopping can save you a lot of money - if you know how to do it right. In this article, I'll provide you with some money-saving strategies for online purchasing. I'll cover everything from using coupon codes to taking advantage of reward programs, so you can get the best deals possible. I'll also offer some guidance on which credit cards to use for the greatest savings that don't have pesky hidden annual fees. So whether you're looking to save a few bucks here and there or want to shop more budget-friendly overall, read on for my top tips!
Shop At The Right Time
The peak of the week is typically when
consumers have more time to shop online. Many online stores use smart shopping
algorithms that increase prices on weekends, so by shopping mid-week, you can
save a few bucks. Tuesdays are considered the least preferred day to shop,
therefore try shopping for things like airfare on that day. Another great time
to shop online is during major sales events. You may save a lot of money on
your purchases by taking advantage of these discounts.
Black Friday
This day after Thanksgiving is typically when
retailers offer their biggest discounts of the year. In fact, many online
stores offer Black Friday deals even before Thanksgiving! If you're looking for
big discounts, this is the time to shop.
Cyber Monday
The Monday after Black Friday has become known
as Cyber Monday - another day when retailers offer deep discounts. Many online
stores save their best deals for this day, so it's worth checking out.
End of the Season Sales
At the end of each season, retailers need to
make room for new inventory. This means they'll offer deep discounts on
seasonal items. For example, you can save up to 75% on winter items at the end
of winter. So, if you're not in a hurry to buy something, it's worth waiting
for these sales.
Online Coupon and Gift Card Sites
Several online coupon sites sell certain
coupons at a significantly lower price. Some of them are gift certificates to
websites, store credit that people are selling, or special promotional offers
that are run by the business itself. If you are planning on shopping at a
specific store, you can purchase a gift card to that store for cheaper and use
it to purchase the item you would like. Some of the cards come in the mail as a
physical gift card, whereas others provide the code for online shopping.
Groupon
Groupon is a website that offers
discounts on local businesses. You can save money on everything from
restaurants to spas. The site has deals for cities all over the United States,
so it's worth checking out even if you're not in a major metropolitan area.
Living Social
Living Social is another website that offers discounts on
local businesses. The site has a similar selection to Groupon, but the deals
may be different. If you're looking for a particular deal, it's worth checking
out both sites.
Restaurant.com
This website offers restaurant gift certificates for a discounted price. The
certificates are typically for $25, but you can save up to 80% off the face
value. The selection of restaurants varies, so it's worth checking out the
website before you purchase a certificate.
Raise
Raise is a website that sells gift cards for a discounted price. The selection of gift cards is vast, so you're likely to find a card for a store you frequent. The discounts vary, but you can save up to 20% off the face value of the card.
Coupon codes are a great way to save money
while shopping online. You can usually find coupon codes for specific stores by
searching online. For example, if you're looking for a coupon code for Amazon,
you can Google "Amazon coupon codes." This will bring up a list of
current codes that you can use on your purchase. Coupon codes can save you
anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, so it's definitely worth
taking the time to find them.
Honey
Honey is a browser extension
that automatically applies coupon codes to your online purchases. It's
available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. Once you install the
extension, it will automatically apply coupon codes to your purchase when
you're shopping at a supported store.
Retail Me Not
Retail Me Not is a website that lists coupons and deals for
thousands of online stores. You can search for a specific store or browse
through the deals. The website also has a blog that features deals and tips on
how to save money while shopping.
Rakuten
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a website that offers cash back on online purchases. You can
save money on everything from clothes to electronics. The site has a wide
selection of stores, and you can save up to 25% on your purchase. You also
receive a $25 bonus for signing up.
Take Advantage of Reward Programs
Many online stores offer reward programs that
give you points or credits for every purchase you make. These points can then
be redeemed for discounts on future purchases or other benefits like free
shipping. So, be sure to sign up for the reward programs of your favorite
online stores. You will begin racking up points that you can use later on. Some
of the most common rewards programs are:
- Target REDcard: This card gives
you five percent off every purchase at Target, free shipping, and an extra
30 days for returns.
- Amazon Prime: This program offers
free two-day shipping on all purchases, as well as access to a library of
movies and TV shows that can be streamed at no additional cost.
- Sephora Beauty Insider: This
program gives you points for every purchase that can be redeemed for free
products or discounts.
- Starbucks Rewards: This program
gives you points for every purchase that can be redeemed for free drinks
and food.
Run Comparison Checks
It is a
good idea to compare prices between different stores whenever you are shopping
online. You can see how much the same item costs at different stores by
completing a quick search. This is a great way to save money on big purchases
like electronics where the prices can vary quite a bit.
Google Shopping
Google Shopping is a great way to compare
prices between different stores. You can search for an item and see a list of
results from different stores. The results will show you the price of the item,
as well as the shipping cost and estimated delivery time. This is a great way
to save money on your online purchases.
PriceGrabber
PriceGrabber is another price comparison website. You can search for an item and see a list of results from different stores. The website also has a section for deals, which features discounted prices on items from different stores.
Shopzilla
Shopzilla is another price comparison website.
You can search for an item and see a list of results from different stores.
It's easy to use and has a wide selection of stores. You can also save money by
using the price comparison tool to find the best deal on an item.
Shop With a Rewards-Based Credit Card
If you do a lot of online shopping, it's a
good idea to use a credit card that gives you rewards for your purchases. For
example, many cash-back credit cards will give you a certain percentage of your
purchase back in the form of cash or statement credits. This can add up over
time and save you a lot of money on your shopping. Just be sure to pay off your
credit card balance in full each month so you don't incur any interest charges.
If you can stay on top of it, different cards offer different percentages on
certain types of purchases. By using specific cards for things like travel
costs, gas, groceries, etc. you can get up to 5% back through these rewards. My
favorite rewards cards to check out (that have no hidden annual fees) are:
- Wells
Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
- Citi®
Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
- Discover
it® Cash Back
- Ink
Business Cash® Credit Card
- Chase
Freedom Flex℠
- Bank
of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- U.S.
Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- American
Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠
Card
- Hilton
Honors American Express Card
You can also sign up with charge cards from different stores
like Amazon or Walmart that give you a percentage back on all purchases made
with that card. They usually come with a sign-on incentive like 20% off your
first purchase or a gift card for signing up. So, if you're a big online
shopper, it's worth looking into these types of rewards.
There are many ways to save money while
shopping online. By following these tips, you can save a significant amount of
money on your online purchases. So, be sure to take advantage of these tips the
next time you're shopping online. If you're looking for more ways to save money
while shopping, check out my other blogs! Happy savings!
