The Frugal Girls

How to Be a Smart Shopper Online! (5 Easy Tricks)

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I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

A BIG thank you to RebatesMe for sponsoring today’s post: How to Be a Smart Shopper Online!

Do you love to shop? I’ve loved shopping for as long as I can remember.

Maybe it’s the hours of research beforehand, the wild treasure hunt, the thrill of the deal, or the excitement of the happy mail… I don’t know. Whatever it is… I’ve always loved the process.

My mom used to tell me that as early as age 3, I would stand by the door to the garage for hours, saying over and over again… “Mommy, go shopping?”

If that wasn’t enough, I even had a complete obsession with ‘The Price is Right’ that started in my preschool years. I’m telling you… I’m a shopper. 🙂

That’s why I’m always looking for ways to learn how to be a smart shopper online and find the best deals!

Full price? No thank you!

Sweet deals and cash back? Yes, please!

If you’re all about the deals, which I’m guessing you are, here are some of my top tips for how to be a smart shopper online…

How to Be a Smart Shopper Online

#1: Add to Your Cart and Save For Later

If an item you’ve been wanting is full price, or you’re just not sure if you really want it… just add it to your cart and wait.

There are so many things I think I absolutely need. So what I often do is just add them to my cart, and select ‘Save for Later’.

Then after waiting just a few days or a week, I totally change my mind.

It’s amazing how much money I have saved by simply adding an item to my cart and waiting! This one trick has helped me avoid so many unnecessary impulse purchases.

Adding an item to my cart and waiting also allows me to simply wait and see if the price will go down.

I have used this method to score so many amazing deals at random times. Not just at Black Friday or other typical holiday sales… but all throughout the year!

#2: Compare Prices Before You Buy

Now if you think you’ve found a good price on something you’ve had your eye on… take a few minutes to compare that price to the same or similar item at other stores, BEFORE you buy.

Simply search for the item by name at similar store websites. If you’re not sure of any other places the item may be sold, try searching online by the product description or item number.

This is such a fast and efficient way to find a huge list of websites that are selling that item.

Another really smart tool you can use is a price comparison search engine.

There are so many options available.

Just type “Price Comparison Engine” or “Price Comparison Websites” into your favorite search engine.

On some sites you can even setup price alerts to help you know when an item has gone on sale.

Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you are getting the very best deal! So take a minute to compare prices… before you pay too much!

#3: Always Read Reviews

Now before you select ‘Buy’, make sure to check the reviews. Online reviews can be so helpful! I’m always looking for products with a LOT of reviews and at least an average 4.5 star review.

Just be careful to sideline any reviews that seem to be fake.

Look for reviews that are coming from verified purchasers of the product. Then take the time to think critically about their comments.

For example, I even like to read through the negative reviews.

If I’m looking for a new stainless steel pot for the kitchen and the negative reviewers are saying it rusts quickly, I’ll pass and keep on looking until I find a better option.

However, if I’m looking for a quality skincare lotion to hydrate my skin and the only negative reviews say that it’s a little runny, I might still buy it.

Just make sure you can live with what the negative reviewers are saying before making your purchase.

#4: Search for Promo Codes Before You Check Out

Now that you’ve read reviews and know you’re getting the best deal, it’s time to search for promo codes! Here are a few of my favorite ways to find promo codes…

Check the website’s ‘Coupons’ or ‘Deals’ tab

Sign up for emails or texts from your favorite stores

Join Store Loyalty Programs

Use the RebatesMe browser extension

If you can’t find a promo code and aren’t happy with the current price, simply add that item to your online cart and wait!

Promo codes and deals come and go, so you may be able to get a better deal later.

#5: Get Cash Back When You Shop with RebatesMe + a FREE $20 Signup Bonus!

Have you heard of RebatesMe? If you haven’t signed up for an account yet, you NEED to!

Here’s how it works…

Sign up for a Free RebatesMe Account

When you’re ready to shop, head to RebatesMe.com or open up your RebatesMe App

Search for the store you want to shop at in the search bar

If you don’t have a specific store in mind, tap ‘Double Cash Back’ in the app or select ‘Deals’ on the website to see what the best deals of the day are.

Shop for your items, then wait for your cash back! How EASY is that?!?

Plus, right now I’ve got an exclusive deal for all Frugal Girls Readers to receive a FREE $20 Signup Bonus added to your account balance. 

Once you accumulate $10 in cash back through online purchases, you can cash out. It’s typically a $5 signup bonus, so RUN and grab this sweet deal!

So what are some of your favorite tips for how to be a smart shopper online?

Leave a comment & share!

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Comments

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  2. MARIETTE VANDENMUNCKHOF-VEDDER says

    Dearest Heidi,
    Those are about the procedures I do follow for anything I want.
    Search, study, read reviews and those fakes are easily spotted. Sure some people will do that for $$.
    I’ve often gotten a reminder email (from those I buy more often from), that I have still some items in my shopping cart and they offer me a bonus for completing the deal.
    Thank you and yes, complete I did.
    Internet is fabulous for studying anything we need.
    On Amazon, never go too fast as they ALWAYS put the cursor on the ‘shipping fee’ tab.
    Right above or below, you will spot the FREE shipping tab. Select that and you save on the shipping.
    They’re smart for having it set up that way but a fast and avid reader will spot that ‘catch’.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    PS thanks for your comment about the Smart Cookie…

    Reply

  3. Christie says

    Wow these are such great tips to share with us! I love the one about reading reviews. It’s such a life saver and prevents unwanted returns!

    Reply

    • Heidi says

      That’s such a good point, Christie! I can’t imagine how many more things I would have had to return if I hadn’t taken the time to really read through those reviews!

      Reply

    • Heidi says

      You’re very welcome, Kathrine! I love using the add to cart trick… it’s crazy how quickly I can change my mind on something! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Lisa says

    Fab tips, Heidi. I’m a big fan of add to cart and wait. Also reading the reviews first on bigger items, so make sure we get the right one at the best price. Cheap doesn’t always mean best, so it pays to shop around!

    Reply

    • Heidi says

      Thanks, Lisa! And I agree… taking the time to shop around really can be off in the long run when it comes to price and quality! 🙂

      Reply

    • Heidi says

      Thanks, Kimberly! And I agree… isn’t it amazing what we think we have to have, and then realize we don’t even really care about it?!? 🙂

      Reply

  10. CoCo says

    These are all such fantastic tips, Heidi! Thanks so much for passing them along. I’m always looking for ways to save and to avoid impulse purchases too so I can wait to put these tips into practice. Hugs, CoCo

    Reply

  11. Her Digital Coffee says

    Incredible list! I’ve started adding things in my cart and saving them for later, or just entering my e-mail and some brands actually send you discount codes in hopes you’ll come back and complete your transaction! Googling promo codes is also a great tip. Thanks for sharing this lovely post!

    Reply

  12. Carol says

    Great tips and I’ve used most of them. I also notice some online stores will send a discount code when I leave items in the cart for a day. Never hurts to let it sit and come back.

    Reply

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