3 Simple Strategies to Save Money While Shopping Online
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
This post is sponsored by Ebates, however all opinions and extreme giddiness when earning cash back online is 100% mine.
I never used to be a big fan of online shopping.
I was always afraid the clothes wouldn’t fit right without my first trying them on, or that shipping would cost more than the item itself. And for some purchases, I find that is still the case….but….the landscape is changing, and lately, I’ve found it’s almost just as thrifty to shop online, if not more than regular stores!
I can confidently say I’m now a total online shopping convert, and seriously, who doesn’t want to sit in their PJ’s and order a bunch of online goodies with the convenience of a laptop and beverage of choice?
Of course, we can’t get too carried away, but I think you understand what I mean.
As long as you are careful to pick and choose what you can afford, online shopping is hands down way more fun than running in and out of stores without much luck….and when you combine your shopping savvy with these 3 savings strategies, you’ll see how easy it really is to grab a great deal online.
Strategy #1: Sign Up for Newsletters and Email Lists
I probably know what you’re thinking — Don’t we have enough email clutter and spam in our inboxes everyday? Yep, we do. Which is why I always suggest opening a new email account specifically for this purpose.
My “junk” email account is what I sign up with for giveaways, store mailing lists, and birthday freebies, and I check it about twice a week to sort through the clutter. I only keep ads and flash sale alerts that I’m interested in exploring further, but everything else gets ruthlessly deleted.
There are a lot of positives to owning a separate email account, but if you have a tendency to forget about checking it more than a couple times a month, you might not want to deal with the hassle. I would hate for you to spend hours upon hours sorting through hundreds if not thousands of emails!
Another alternative is to create filters for your current account, which you can do in Gmail.
Strategy #2: Never Shop Without a Coupon Code
Coupon codes are everywhere, but how do you know where to find one that actually works and hasn’t expired yet? Easy — just check Google!
All you have to do is type in “online coupon code for {insert store}”, and under Search Tools, select Past Month. This way, you can avoid older coupon posts that have already expired, but for some reason, still show up in search.
You should also note when each search result was published, and only click the ones that are listed as a few hours, or a few days old. You can see the time each post was published on the left-hand side of the text, right under the web address listing. If you’d rather go straight to the source rather than use Google, you can find a list of my favorite coupon sites in this post. I suggest you pick one site you like, and always stick with it. There is rarely a difference in what coupons each site offers, so save time and just choose one!
Strategy #3: Shop Through a Cash Back Website
When I found out you could earn money for shopping online, I was hooked.
In the past, I used to buy through multiple sites claiming to give out points and rewards for shopping through their links, but hands down, Ebates is my absolute fave. Not only do they have hundreds of store merchants to choose from, they also give a much better percentage than any other program I’ve tried.
Just this year I’ve earned over $50 cash back from online purchases, and that doesn’t even include my Christmas shopping yet!
I used to forget to use my Ebates cash back link all the time, and I could just kick myself for missing out on all that free money. But recently, I found out you could install an Ebates button on your toolbar that will alert you when an online site has cash back available. Why did I not do this sooner?
I personally like to combine Ebates with a cash back credit card for even more savings, because I just love making money off those credit card companies, but if you decide to do the same, make sure to pay that card off every month, okay? That’s super important.
If you consistently practice these 3 online shopping tips every time you make a purchase, you’ll see how quickly those discounts can add up.
I know I love scoring everyday items for less, and earning a little extra in my account every quarter from Ebates doesn’t hurt either!
Want more? I’ve compiled a list of more than 60 resources that are all about how to earn, save, and manage money better. Best part is – they are free! Check them out here.
What are your best online shopping tips?
Ebates is truly the place that pays to shop online. Simply sign up for an account, install the cash back button on your toolbar, and activate your savings anytime you shop at a participating store! Ebates sends it’s members a big fat check at least 4 times a year, or you can opt to transfer the money to your PayPal account. You can even send the cash to your favorite charity. Plus, it’s 100% free!
Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.
I just recently started to fully utilize Ebates. It has been great because 90% of the time they don’t carry my size in stores anyway so I’d be stuck buying it online anyway.
Shopping on-line while using coupon code is really cool. It helps to save time and money both. Mine favourite sites are LavihCoupon.com and Retailmenot.com.
A big trick I have found to buying clothes online is to go to the store (if possible) and try on items there first. Then you know what size you are in THEIR clothing line and it makes it easier to buy online! π
That’s a fantastic idea, Jill! Totally stealing that. π
That’s what i do every single time i wanted buy clothes from an online store, and i check for coupons and cashbacks too. π
Re shopping for clothes online; I became a plus size a few years ago, my petite friends had bad luck online, clothes did not fit, it may be due to figure or the catalog them shop from. I started years ago shopping online, a friend would put in an order online + ask me if I wanted something from LL Bean, he’s cover the shipping, I tried a few items + loved the experience. Have since added a select group of other vendors. One does not charge extra for my size-Orvis. Have had good luck others, Talbots, Sierra Trading Post [once bought a pair of leather gloves there lined with cashmere at an extremely good price, occasionally from Appleseed’s, Zappos, eBags, Footsmart [Coldwater is now out of business].
The vendors I have stayed with have great customer service, colors very close to the catalog, sizes are true, items are delivered as promised if not earlier. There’s a choice re returning items. It would cost my more time & money to go from store to store where they seldom have clothes true to size-that’s a frustrating experience, and the the larger stores here have cashiers only no customer service people. I have to bring in 3 of 1 item to see what size I need. It’s no wonder that those who can shop online do.
It IS crazy how much sizes can shift and change from retailers and brands. That’s great that you’ve found a few sites that you know and love!