Six-Point Guide To Save Money When You Shop Online

From grocery to gadgets, there’s hardly anything that you can’t buy at the click of a mouse. Online shopping has taken over our life like never before as most of us want to ditch the outdoors and shop from the comforts of our home. Of course, not all of us know how to crack the best deals online, but a bit of smart work can get you the cracker of a deal on the Web, much better than the ones you would get in traditional brick-and-mortar stores. So here’s a quick look at the tricks of the trade – a sure shot way to save a lot of money when you are shopping online.

1. Compare prices
Whether you want to shop online or offline, comparing product prices is one of the best ways to save money. And doing it online means you can compare prices and check out what other stores are offering without the least hassle. A little research about the product you want to buy will help you find the lowest price on the Internet. It also makes sense to visit the company’s official site before buying the product from a third-party vendor. At times, the manufacturer/brand offers bigger discounts than others.

2. Time it right
Timing it right can make a big difference in your shopping bill. E-tailers offer big discounts throughout the year and some sites offer as much as 80% price slash on special occasions. If possible, stock up on bulk use items like groceries when these discounts are on. While deals and discounts are the biggest catch phrases for online shoppers, delaying your purchase for a while can also ensure great benefits. This is because shopping sites keep modifying product prices to attract e-shoppers. For instance, a brand new mobile phone may cost you less if you buy it a month after the launch.

3. Dig for online discount coupons
Make aggressive use of coupon sites that offer discount coupon codes, promotional codes and rebates. After all, you may just come across a great discount coupon for a coveted product in your wish list. Before you start your shopping, make a shopping list and then do a quick coupon search, using as many search phrases as you can.

4. Connect with companies/brands on social media
While liking the pages of the most popular shopping sites is an intelligent idea, going a step further and connecting with the company/brand can also help you save money. Companies often announce discounts, giveaways and special offers on social networking sites. So connecting with them will not only give you some inside scoop on upcoming offers but will also give you a leg up on competing shoppers.

5. Sign up for newsletters
What can be easier than getting the most lucrative shopping deal right there in your inbox? Don’t shy away from signing up for newsletters of brands and websites if you want to buy from them.

6. Keep a tab on your budget
Online shopping is addictive and it’s very easy to go overboard. So it’s important to keep a tab on your budget and be clear about what you actually want to buy. That will save you from blindly adding up to your online shopping bill.

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