How to Save When Shopping Online

I love catalog shopping and shopping online. And I love saving money and getting the best deal. So when I'm able to combine shopping and saving money, I'm thrilled! Here's how I do it:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Internet Connection
• Shopping List

1. SHOP THE SALES/TIME YOUR SHOPPING
   
   Wait for the products in catalogs or online stores to go on sale. You can pick up items for 40%-50%-even 70% off! To do this, shop off-season. Buy swimsuits in the fall, winter coats in the spring.
   
   For holiday items, the catalog stores and online stores generally offer deep discounts two weeks before Christmas.
   
   Buy linens in January.

2. SEARCH THE CLOSE-OUT SECTION
   
   Nearly every online store has a closeout section, which generally offer the deepest discounts. When I'm shopping online, I look for the "SALE", "CLOSEOUT", "CLEARANCE" pages first to find deals.
   
   In this section you can save 40%, 50%, even 90% off items that they are trying to quickly sell. You can generally find great deals here!

3. LOOK FOR COUPON CODES
   
   Now that you've picked out what you want to buy. It's sitting in your shopping cart and you're ready to check out, notice that there's a box asking for a coupon code. (Nearly every online store has one.)
   
   Open a new window or tab in your Internet browser (Safari, IE, Foxfire).
   
   Open Google.com or your favorite search engine.
   
   Type in the store name that you are shopping and "coupon". For example, if I was shopping at JB Pet.com, I would type in the search box "JB Pet coupon". What you'll find is a list websites that offer website codes.
   
   I recently did this search and found a coupon for $5 off my purchase. And since I was buying the product whether or not I had a coupon, that's $5 in my pocket!

Tips & Warnings

• The code you found is expired? Try it anyhow. Businesses often keep the coupon codes active for a time after its expiration date because they WANT your business.
• Keep searching. Businesses often offer several different coupon codes, such as money off, free shipping, percentage discount. Find the code that saves you the MOST money.

[nanamusicgirl]

on 9/23/2009 Thanks for sharing this! It's wonderful information we should all use!!! 5 stars. Recommended you also.
Come visit!

[godfather25]

on 9/6/2009 Very nice tips on saving while shopping online.

[pennynickols]

on 9/5/2009 Thanks for sharing your online shopping tips in "How to Save When Shopping Online." I didn't know that online retailers may accept expired coupon codes. Thanks for the tip!

[frozenmocha]

on 9/4/2009 This is terrific advice! Thanks. I love shopping online!