Before you spend another dime shopping online, make sure you check these thirteen ways to save money shopping online. They’ll save BIG bucks!
I don’t know about you, but I shop online a lot which means I am almost always looking for a ways to find a deal online and ways to save money on online shopping. Honestly, sometimes, saving money online is easier than saving money in the store; especially these days.
Honestly, these days we should all be looking for a way to save money on everything from groceries to eyeglasses.
But know how to save money on online shopping doesn’t always come natural to someone. It’s just like anything you do to save money. It can take practice.
Is Online Grocery Shopping Worth It?
Learning how to save money on grocery shopping can include learning about online grocery shopping too. To truly save money on food, you absolutely should include knowing how to buy groceries online as long as you are smart about it.
We will get into this a bit more later, but I wanted to address it. Yes, online grocery shopping can be worth it!
Which Online Grocery Accepts EBT?
When buying groceries online first became a thing, there were no online grocery stores that accepted EBT. However, these days, quite a few do. This can make saving money on online shopping much easier if you receive EBT benefits and are looking to shop for groceries online.
A few online grocery stores that accept EBT:
Ultimately, if you’re unsure if an online grocery takes EBT, it’s best to check the SNAP website. They have a full listing by state to help you find the stores you can access.
What are Some Tips for Saving Money on Online Shopping?
The tips below will help you learn how to save money when you’re shopping online, but I do want to address one thing; saving money in any area of your life can be hard work. Sometimes you get lucky and the deal seems to land in your lap.
At other times, you will have to work for it. If you’re truly serious about finding a deal though, a little work for it will be worth it.
Get Cashback for Shopping Online
First and foremost, when you’re looking to save money online shopping, your first stop should be to use a cash back app or site. These sites have a special relationship with some retailers. When you shop through them, they will give you a percentage of your purchase back as cash back.
My favorite cash back shopping site is Rakuten. I have been a Rakuten member for years and in that time I have done almost all of my online shopping through them (when possible). I have earned quite a bit back in cash back – over $3,000 in the span of those years.
Rakuten does have some stores that they work with to find you cash back at brick and mortar stores too which is one reason they’re one of my favorites. They offer an all around strategy for getting cash back for shopping.
For new members, creating a Rakuten account is even more worth it. Use THIS link to create your Rakuten account and they will give you $10.00 in extra free cash back the first time you shop online and spend at least $25.00.
Use an App to Save Money Online Shopping
In addition to Rakuten, there are also apps to save money online shopping. Rakuten does in fact have its own app so once you create your account, you’ll want to download it. In addition, you should consider downloading any other apps to help save money before you shop.
Having more than one will always allow you to compare the deals you can get between them so you can find the best deal for you.
Other apps to save money shopping online:
- Ibotta – Get $10 with your first rebate when you create your account with THIS link.
- Honey – Honey is actually a browser extension that works like an app. Check it out HERE.
- Upside – Save on online shopping plus get an extra $0.25 off per gallon gas with THIS link.
- Swagbucks – See below
Save Money Shopping Online with a Free Gift Card
Another way to save money shopping online is to use a gift card you have earned for free. Yes, I know that a lot of people think these types of sites are scams, but I am here to tell you that there are some that are legit.
And those legit survey sites can be used to earn free gift cards that you can use to save money. In fact, I have earned several thousand with these legit sites over the course of the last decade.
They are a real help when you need to save money on any form of shopping. I have three favorite sites that I work personally to earn gift cards from.
You can earn from them just as easily as I do to use them to save money shopping online.
They are:
InstaGC will pay you points for doing surveys, completing offers, clicking links and more. Once you reach $1 you can order a gift card or Paypal. After your first cash out, they are instant although your first will take approx. 24-hours. Create your InstaGC account with THIS link and get free points when you sign up.
Swagbucks will pay you for doing offers, completing surveys, watching videos and tons more. Payouts take 7-10 days, but they have a huge selection of gift cards to choose from. It’s very easy to earn points with Swagbucks. Create your account with THIS link and get free points.
PrizeRebel is like the other two with one exception; you can not only order gift cards and cash rewards, but you can order quite literally any prize you want and have it shipped to your home. This not only helps you save money on online shopping with gift cards, but you can also use it to “buy” the items you need with your PrizeRebel points vs paying cash out of your budget. Create your PrizeRebel account HERE.
Take Advantage of Site Promos
Most online stores offer some sort of promo pretty much all the time. These can range from a percent off coupon code to free shipping or product. These promos can often save you quite a bit of money and are well worth paying attention to.
These days, retailers are always trying to stay in contact with their customers so these promos are often a request for your email address or phone number for texts. They’re well worth doing as they will often get you a high dollar or high percentage coupon. If you decide you no longer want to receive the texts or emails after you order, you can always unsubscribe.
Comparison Shop to Save Money Shopping Online
Just like shopping in store, buying from the first online site you land on is often a great way to spend more money than you need to. Instead, check a few different sites to see which one has the best price.
Often you’ll find that the prices are the same but one may offer free shipping or some other promo. In this case, the free shipping promo is the best deal since it will still save you money over paying for shipping.
For instance, Amazon Prime members get free 2-day shipping and access to exclusive Prime deals and coupons. This savings can often make Amazon cheaper than Walmart or other sites. By comparison shopping, you’ll be able to tell which place will give you the best deal.
Speaking of Amazon, if you’re not a Prime member, you can get 30-days Free right HERE. It’s a great way to check all the benefits of Amazon Prime including the coupons and deals I mentioned and free Prime Video.
Which Online Shopping Site is Cheapest?
Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to guess which online shopping site is cheapest for one reason; each time you shop, you’ll be wanting something different.
In addition, since sales vary from retailer to retailer, it’s impossible to say which site will be cheaper.
This is the reason that comparison shopping is best.
Check Deal Sites
If you’ve read our About Me page, you’ll know that this website started out as a deal blog. We rebranded in 2015, but I still hold a special place in my heart for deals. If you’re looking for something specific, be sure to check your favorite deal blogs first. If there is a deal to be had, chances are they will know.
Save Money Shopping Online with Online Thrift Stores
If you’re shopping clothes, shoes or accessories, be sure to check online thrift stores first and foremost. These are basically thrift stores that are online only, but they can be great for saving money.
In fact, I rarely buy new clothes these days and instead get most of my clothing from online consignment shops. I specifically shop two; ThredUp and Swap.
Both sites also let you send in your items you no longer want which is a great way to save even more money. If you sell the clothing, shoes and accessories you no longer need or want, you can use that money to buy more.
You can check out Swap HERE. They almost always have sales happening. Create your ThredUp account HERE and you’ll score a free credit to get you started.
Use a Price Book to Save Money on Online Shopping
Price books are great for shopping at your local grocery store, but they can also help you save money when you shop online. By using a price book that you keep up to date, you can compare whether the price you’re looking at online is cheaper than what you can get in store. Sometimes the best deal is in an actual store and having the ability to check that will save you money hand over fist usually.
Putting together a price book isn’t hard as long as you have the right worksheets.
Buy More for Cheap While You Can
Even if you don’t want to build a stockpile, there is still some value in buying bulk when it makes sense. This is especially true when you find a great deal.
You’ll want to make sure that you do you comparison shopping and that you can use the entire amount of product before it isn’t usable or edible anymore. Certain items, such as toilet paper, aren’t too big of a worry. But I wouldn’t suggest you buy 20 lbs. of cheese if your family rarely eats cheese.
However, buying in bulk; especially if you have a Sam’s Club membership or a Costco membership, can help you save significantly. Because of this, you’ll want to add their websites to the list of sites you use when you comparison shop.
Wait to Buy
Another way to save money when online shopping is simple. Wait.
If you don’t need the item right away, waiting for a sale or discount is boing to save you the most money. This is especially true for things such as Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day or Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.
Buy Off Season
Buying off season is a bit like waiting and is a great way to save money on online shopping. For instance, if you need a propane heater to fill out your emergency supplies, you will pay more buying it after the weather is cold than you will buying it in June. The same can be said about an air conditioner. Buy it in January and you’ll pay less than if you bought in August.
Time It Right
Just like a good joke, saving money is about timing. Buying off season, waiting for a sale, and other tactics we discussed above, rely on getting the timing of your deals right. If you time your buying wrong, you could end up paying hundreds more than you intend to depending on what you’re buying.
Know When to Walk Away
Finally – and this is probably the most important ways to save money shopping online on this list – know when the deal just isn’t going to happen and when to walk away. If you want to save money shopping online and you just aren’t finding the deal, don’t buy.
Let me tell you something; I have been a deal seeker since I got pregnant with my daughter in 2004 and if there’s one thing I have learned, it’s this; there will always be another deal.
If the price isn’t right, skip it. You wallet will thank you.