Everyone loves to save money, right? In today’s economic climate, small savings can really add up and make all the difference between living a comfortable life, or struggling to get by.
These days, online shopping is more popular than ever. In order to save money when shopping online, you have to get savvy! Let’s take a look at 10 ways to rack up those savings.
Table of Contents
10 Savvy Ways To Save Money When Shopping Online
1. Shop around
If you want to save money when shopping online, the most important thing is to shop around. Before buying something from your ‘go-to’ store, it’s always worth a quick search to see if it’s being sold for less elsewhere, whether it’s the exact same product or a much cheaper dupe.
Just be careful if you see an advert on Facebook or Instagram for something you’d like to buy. Never just buy it straight away, as often they are scams! They make the product sound exclusive and high-quality, and at a good price, when in fact, you can get the exact item for a fraction of the price elsewhere.
Another tip is to type into a search engine, ‘sale’, ‘clearance’ or even ‘closing down sale’ and then the product you are after. Sometimes it will come up with the item you want, greatly reduced in a shop you’ve never even heard of that happens to be having a sale.
2. Check for discount codes
Always check for discount codes before you place an order online. You can get a browser extension to do this for you, such as VoucherCodes DealFinder which I use. However, even if your browser extension doesn’t come up with any discount codes, it’s worth doing a quick Google search anyway in case it’s missed one.
3. Use a cash back app
A cash back app is well worth having because it gives you cash back on all valid purchases, both online and in-store. I use an app called JamDoughnut where you can buy gift cards for a wide variety of stores and restaurants. Because it’s done via gift cards, you get your cash back immediately, even before you’ve spent the gift card!
I’ve got into the habit of checking JamDoughnut before making any purchase, to see if that shop is on the app. If it is, I buy a gift card for the exact amount I need to spend, and use that to make the purchase. Then I get cash back, and it really adds up!
Shops and services that are on JamDoughnut include: Amazon, Apple, ASOS, Boots, Deliveroo, Google Play, M&S, New Look, Spotify, Uber, WHSmith and many more.
If you sign up to JamDoughnut, please consider entering my referral code ‘SNVO’ when prompted.
4. Consider waiting for reductions
How many times have you bought something, only to see that it’s been reduced to half the price a week later? If there is something you’ve been wanting to buy, but you don’t need urgently, it’s worth waiting to see if it gets reduced. Chances are it eventually will, especially if you regularly check several online stores that sell it.
5. Use subscribe and save
Many stores, including some Amazon sellers, offer a ‘subscribe and save’ option. This is where you opt to have the product delivered regularly, for example, on a monthly basis, and get it at a lower price as a result. This can seem like a commitment, but if it is something you genuinely expect to re-buy on a regular basis, such as a supplement or a personal care product, then it’s worth doing for the savings.
It would be a good idea to make a note somewhere of the things you’ve subscribe-and-saved to, so you don’t forget about them and end up having more ordered if and when you don’t actually use certain products any more.
6. Buy in bulk
If there’s anything that you know you will keep using, consider buying it in bulk. For example, get large bottles of personal care products like shampoo and shower gel, and large bags of food staples like pasta and rice. Although large packs are a bigger initial investment, they are invariably better value so it works out cheaper in the long run.
Buying in bulk can also save you from paying postage if you can manage to exceed the threshold for free shipping. However, be careful not to buy more than you’ll ever use before the products expire, just to get free shipping, because this counteracts the benefits of buying in bulk.
7. Use price comparison sites
I have never really got into using price comparison sites, but as their name suggests, they could definitely help you save money when shopping online. Price comparison sites do the hard work for you by comparing different online shops and finding the best deal.
8. Sign up to newsletters
If you buy regularly from a particular online shop, it’s worth signing up to their newsletter or mailing list. Even if you’re not interested in reading their marketing emails, they will sometimes send you offers and discount codes that you would not otherwise get.
Also, the first time you buy from an online store, you can often get a one-time ‘new customer’ discount code by signing up to their mailing list, which is well worth taking advantage of. You can always unsubscribe later if you get fed up of their emails or you don’t think you’ll buy from them again.
9. Make the most of discounts when you see them
You’ll save money in the long run by making use of discounts when you see them. For example, if you’re subscribed to a company’s newsletter or social media, you’ll be notified when they have a sale or a current discount code.
I must stress the importance of not buying something just because it’s in the sale – that is not savvy shopping! But if it’s something you genuinely need, or will need in the future when you run out, then make the most of the sale and stock up. This will keep you going until you next spot a sale from them – so basically you’ll never have to pay full price.
10. Buy less!
This seems kind of obvious, but the best way to save money when shopping online is not to buy anything at all. Before each purchase you make, really stop and think. Do I actually need to buy this? Or is it unnecessary? It’s okay to treat yourself once in a while, but overall, avoiding unnecessary purchases is the best way to save money.
How do you save money when shopping online?
Saving money on online purchases boils down to three main things: finding the lowest prices (even if it means waiting for reductions), finding additional discounts and buying only what you need. By following some or all of these guidelines, you’ll soon become a savvy shopper and save your pennies for the things that really matter in life.
Do you have any savvy hints for how to save money when shopping online? Do you already do some of the things I’ve mentioned in this post? Please share your tips and experiences in the comments below.
Read more: 5 Everyday Money Management Tips To Help You Feel In Control of Your Finances
