Shopping online – particularly when it comes to those midnight scrolls in bed, trawling through your favourite retailers – could be considered one of modern life’s greatest conveniences. However with such ease and accessibility also comes the opportunity to overspend or impulse buy, which can be less than ideal when you’re trying to save money shopping online.
The good news? You can actually make the system work for you when shopping online, if you take a strategic approach. With the cost of living crisis showing no signs of abating just yet, being savvy with your online shopping can even save you money in the long-term. Yes, shopping smart to save money – that’s an attitude we can get behind.
Here are our essential tips on how to save money shopping online.
How to save money shopping online 2024
Look for discount codes
Discount codes are one of the easiest and simplest ways to score the item you’re after for a better price. You’ll get exactly the product or experience you’re wanting to purchase, but you’ll enjoy a sneaky saving in the process. From homewares to garden supplies, there’s likely a special deal that can be scored with a discount code – and thankfully, we’ve done the hard work for you with our very own dedicated promo codes space!
We painstakingly sift through the latest deals from thousands of digital offers to bring you the best options, so you’ll always save money shopping online. Bookmark our discount codes page and check back regularly to see how to save money shopping online, ranging from exclusive coupon codes on pet food for your furry friends, to big savings on exciting getaways with your significant other.
Consider the best time to buy
If it’s a big ticket item, you might want to think about when the best time to buy might be. Prices online can fluctuate based on the time of year, day of the week and for some merchants, even a specific time of day. Tech products such as phones and laptops and other devices, for example, often see discounts around the release of newer models, while the the best deals on clothing might be found during end-of-season sales when the weather is changing.
Compare prices
One of the biggest benefits of shopping online is being able to switch between tabs to see where the item you’re after might be available for cheaper. Always compare prices, even if it’s just a quick search, to see if there’s a chance you can get what you want without having to completely abandon your cart altogether. Bonus points? Double check if there’s a special offer for the retailer you’re buying from before you check out.
Go secondhand
If you haven’t already, check out marketplaces such as eBay for secondhand items that can save you a lot of cash. You’ll find a lot of items are in excellent or near-new condition, which could mean you get the product you’re wanting for less than you would’ve paid if it were full-price. Plus, we’ve also rounded up a number of exclusive eBay discount codes, which might result in an even bigger saving. You’re welcome!
Track your spending
Maintaining an awareness of how much you’re spending helps to avoid impulse buys. There are a whole host of handy tools and apps that assist you in tracking your spending and categorising purchases and buying behaviour (yes, we also find ourselves absentmindedly adding to cart on the train) can also offer insights into where your money is going and ensure that you stick to your budget.
How can I save money on everyday purchases?
Planning for your purchases is the best way to save money shopping online, especially those everyday items that can often add up. Try mapping out what it is you need before you start shopping, with a list that’s either on your phone or on paper. Do your best not to deviate from the list and remind yourself why you made it in the first place, but if it’s an item that you know you’ll use all the time, consider buying it in bulk to save money in the long-term.
What is the ’30-day rule’?
The 30-day rule is a simple and surprisingly effective budgeting strategy designed to help curb impulse purchases and promote more thoughtful spending. The essence of this rule is to create a self-imposed mandatory waiting period of 30 days for any non-essential purchases you’re considering, where you identify the item you’re lusting after, note it down and then wait for 30 days before making a decision to purchase that item.
This approach can be beneficial when you’re looking at how to save money shopping online, as it reduces the dopamine hit you get from an impulse purchase. It often reduces buyers remorse by cutting out things you decide you don’t actually need, and it also allows you more time to do some pre-shop research. After 30 days, you’ll be armed with all the information (and hopefully a few discount codes!) to make that final decision.
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