The Secret to Successful Online Shopping

I love saving some dough, the Benjamins, cold hard cash.

And I will admit, I frequent the online world of shopping...shocking, I know.

But before I ever click on "Buy" I follow a couple steps to make sure I'm getting the absolute best price online.  I assumed the rest of the world operated this same way. 

So imagine how my debt dumping, ever saving, penny pinching world was rocked when I found out THEY DON'T.  The best way to convey my reaction is this...

I still love this movie!



I was shocked!  Aghast!  Flabbergasted! 

So, here are my top three tips for savvy online shopping.  (Does anyone else but me want to say "savvy" with an accent like Captain Jack Sparrow?)

1.  Go through a cash back service.

Always, always shop through a cash back service.  My personal favorite is Ebates.

All you do is go to the site, search for your retailer (such as Barnes & Noble, Groupon - yay!!, Sears, just to name a few.)  Click through their website and wa-lah, you'll be earning anywhere from 2%-10% back on your purchase.  Just for clicking through their link.  And if you're feeling philanthropic, you can choose to donate your cash back to a charity.

There is also Shop at Home which is a lot like Ebates.  Just different stores.

I've had an Ebates account since 2006 and earned $141 dollars.  That's not a huge amount, I know.  But $141 is $141.  (A tenth of the way to your emergency fund!)  I don't do ridiculous amounts of online shopping, but I usually rack up during the Christmas season.     


Ka-ching!



2.  Google "[retailer] promo code"

Even when using one of the above cash back sites, you can still use discount codes.  I typically google the name of the store and "promo code."  This will bring up several sites that "specialize" in this.  A word to the wise, don't just click on a random one.  You'll end up with smut all over your computer.  :) 

My favorite site is http://www.retailmenot.com/ .  They're bona fide.  But retailers can opt out or limit codes that can be posted so if you don't find success there, keep trying.

Ka-ching!

3.  Don't forget to price compare.

Pricegrabber compares prices online from different retailers.  When you factor in discounts, shipping costs, and sales, the amount you pay can vary widely on the same exact item. 



Credit



Hopefully, on this Thrifty Thursday, these simple strategies can keep some coin in your pocket next time you single handedly decide to stimulate the economy.