Let’s be real — online shopping is addictive. With just a few clicks, you can have anything from a new laptop to your favorite snacks delivered right to your door. But while the convenience is amazing, it’s just as easy to overspend if you’re not careful.
The good news? There are plenty of simple tricks you can use to save money while shopping online — and they don’t take a lot of effort. From coupon codes to cashback hacks, here are 8 tried-and-true ways to keep more money in your wallet every time you shop.
When it comes to online shopping, one of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming the first price they see is the lowest. The truth is, prices vary across platforms, and without doing a quick check, you could be overpaying — sometimes by a lot.
The good news? Comparing prices has never been easier. With just a few tools and a couple of clicks, you can find the best deals online, track price history, and shop with confidence knowing you're getting the most for your money.
Best Tools to Compare Prices Online
Here are some top-rated tools and browser extensions to help you compare product prices across websites instantly:
🛍️ 1. Google Shopping
Google Shopping allows you to search for any product and instantly see prices from multiple online retailers. You’ll also see ratings, shipping info, and sometimes even promo offers — all in one view.
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Tip: Use filters to sort by lowest price or free shipping options.
💸 2. PriceGrabber
PriceGrabber is a dedicated price comparison website that scans a wide range of categories like electronics, clothing, appliances, and more. It also shows historical price trends and store reviews.
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Bonus: They often highlight which retailers are running limited-time sales.
🧠 3. InvisibleHand (Browser Extension)
InvisibleHand runs silently in your browser and alerts you if the product you’re viewing is available for a lower price elsewhere. It supports hundreds of online retailers in real time.
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Great for: Instant price alerts while you browse.
📉 Track Amazon Prices with CamelCamelCamel
If Amazon is your go-to, you’ll love CamelCamelCamel. It tracks the price history of Amazon products, so you can see if the deal you’re getting is actually worth it — or if prices tend to drop.
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Get price alerts via email
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View product pricing trends over weeks or months
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Avoid impulse buys and time your purchases better
Looking for smart ways to cut your grocery bill without sacrificing convenience? Curbside pickup and online grocery shopping hacks are a game-changer for saving money, especially if you know where to look and how to shop strategically.
Joanie Demer, the Boise-based co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady, swears by curbside pickup as a budget-friendly alternative to in-store and delivery app shopping.
| “There are usually no extra fees – and you can still use a lot of manufacturer and store coupons,” Demer explains.
Why Curbside Pickup Is a Money-Saving Secret
Unlike delivery apps that often charge service and delivery fees, curbside grocery pickup is typically free. And here's the best part: many retailers still allow you to use digital or printable manufacturer coupons and retail discounts, even when you're not physically shopping in the store.
Demer points out that Kroger sometimes offers better curbside deals than what’s available in-store. So you’re not only saving time — you're potentially saving more money just by ordering from your car.
Stores That Accept Coupons for Curbside Pickup
Several popular grocery chains are making it easier than ever to save while shopping from the parking lot. Here are a few:
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Kroger: Offers digital coupons and often lower curbside prices
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Giant Eagle: Allows use of coupons on curbside orders
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H.E.B.: Supports digital and manufacturer coupons for online pickup
These programs let you stack deals while avoiding crowded aisles — it’s a win-win.
Avoid Extra Fees from Delivery Apps (Unless There’s a Promo!)
Demer recommends skipping delivery apps like Instacart and Shipt if you’re trying to avoid unnecessary charges. These services often come with added fees and markups, which can quietly inflate your total.
“I don’t like their fees,” Demer admits. “They add up quickly.”
But here’s a little-known tip: many online grocery delivery services offer special deals for new users. For example:
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Costco.com offers free same-day delivery via Instacart for orders over $35
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Apps like Shipt and Instacart may waive delivery fees on your first 1–3 orders
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Look for first-time shopper coupons or “free delivery” promos at checkout
This one’s sneaky but effective. Add items to your cart, then close the tab and walk away. In many cases, the store will email you within a day or two offering a special discount to convince you to come back and complete the purchase.
It doesn’t always work, but when it does, you could score a better deal without lifting a finger.
When Lena and Michael shop online, they often add items to their cart—but they don’t hit the “Buy Now” button right away. Instead, they pause and wait.
“We let it sit there for a while,” Lena explains.
More often than not, she receives a follow-up email from the store within a few days, usually offering a promo code or discount to encourage her to complete the purchase.
Similarly, many online orders arrive with a coupon inside the package—often something like “20% off your next order,” Lena says.
“So if we want to buy four of the same item,” she adds, “we’ll just order one first. When it arrives with the discount coupon, we use that to order the other three.”
If you're shopping online and not using cashback apps or websites, you're missing out on free money. These tools give you a small percentage of your purchase amount back — just for starting your shopping journey through their platform.
It may sound too good to be true, but it’s not. Cashback sites and apps are a real and easy way to earn cash back on your regular online purchases.
🛍️ Top Cashback Apps and Websites to Try
1. Rakuten
One of the most popular cashback platforms, Rakuten offers generous cashback at thousands of online stores including Walmart, Target, Macy’s, and more. They often run bonus offers like $10 for signing up.
2. TopCashback
Known for offering high cashback rates, TopCashback covers a wide range of retailers and doesn’t have a minimum payout threshold.
3. Swagbucks
Swagbucks gives you points (SB) for shopping, taking surveys, watching videos, and more. You can redeem them for gift cards or PayPal cash. It’s a great multi-purpose rewards platform.
💳 Double Your Savings with Credit Card Rewards
Want to maximize your savings? Combine cashback sites with a credit card that offers rewards. Many cards provide 1–5% back on certain categories or purchases, which stacks nicely with what you earn from the cashback website.
For example: Buy through Rakuten + pay with a 2% cashback card = double rewards.
Just make sure to pay your balance in full each month so the interest doesn’t eat into your savings.
📱 Pro Tips for Using Cashback Apps Efficiently
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Activate browser extensions (Rakuten, TopCashback, etc.) so you never miss a cashback opportunity.
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Set a reminder to check the cashback rate before you make a purchase.
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Use mobile apps for bonus deals that may not appear on desktop.
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Stack with promo codes and free shipping offers when possible.
Even if you’re only saving a few dollars here and there, it can add up to hundreds over the course of the year — especially if you're a frequent online shopper.
If you're a frequent shopper at your favorite stores — whether it’s for groceries, skincare, or clothes — joining loyalty programs is one of the easiest ways to unlock long-term savings.
Most retailers offer store rewards programs that reward you simply for shopping. These programs are designed to build customer loyalty, but savvy shoppers can use them to their advantage by earning points, scoring exclusive deals, and even getting free shipping.
🛍️ How Loyalty Rewards Work
When you sign up for a store's loyalty program, you usually receive a points system tied to your purchases. The more you shop, the more points you earn — and those points can often be redeemed for store credit, coupons, or member-only rewards.
Some programs also offer:
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Exclusive member discounts
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Free gifts or samples
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Birthday rewards
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Personalized offers based on shopping habits
Over time, these customer retention programs can help you save on repeat purchases, especially in categories like beauty, groceries, or pet supplies where you shop regularly.
💡 Perks of Being a Loyalty Member
Here’s what makes loyalty programs a smart choice for budget-conscious shoppers:
✅ 1. Points That Convert to Savings
Many stores allow you to accumulate points with each transaction, which can be redeemed later as cash or discounts. Think of it as earning back a portion of what you spend.
✅ 2. Early Access to Sales
Members often get early access to sales, new product launches, and limited-time offers — meaning you get the best deals before they run out.
✅ 3. Free Shipping Benefits
Some retailers offer free shipping as part of their rewards program, which can be a huge cost saver over time, especially for online orders.
✅ 4. Stackable Savings
You can often combine loyalty rewards with promo codes, cashback offers, and credit card rewards for extra savings.
📱 Examples of Popular Store Loyalty Programs
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Sephora Beauty Insider – Earn points for every dollar spent and redeem for deluxe beauty rewards.
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Target Circle – Access personalized deals and earn 1% back on purchases.
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Kroger Plus Card – Save on groceries and gas while collecting fuel points.
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Walgreens Balance Rewards (now myWalgreens) – Get health-focused rewards and weekly discounts.
Nearly every major retailer — from supermarkets to fashion brands — offers some form of shopping loyalty strategy, and many are completely free to join.
Ever wonder if there’s a quick way to save money without hunting for coupon codes or downloading extra apps?
Here’s a little-known shopping trick: sometimes the payment method you choose at checkout can unlock an instant discount — no promo code required.
Whether you're using PayPal, Apple Pay, or a particular credit card, many retailers offer exclusive savings if you pick the right option during payment. And yes, it could be as simple as clicking a different button before you hit "Place Order."
💳 What Are Payment Method Discounts?
Retailers regularly team up with payment processors and banks to offer special checkout promotions. These limited-time deals reward shoppers who use a specific digital wallet or credit card — a subtle but effective way to encourage certain payment habits.
You might see offers like:
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“Get 10% off when you pay with Apple Pay”
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“₹300 off when you use XYZ Bank Credit Card”
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“Extra cashback when checking out via PayPal”
They’re easy to miss — but incredibly easy to use once you know to look for them.
🛍️ Popular Payment Options That Offer Instant Deals
Here are a few platforms that frequently feature payment-based discounts:
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PayPal – Occasionally offers cashback or direct discounts through retailer partnerships.
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Apple Pay – Often comes with exclusive shopping perks during seasonal promotions.
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Major Credit Cards – Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and local bank cards offer cardholder-specific offers at checkout.
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Digital Wallets – Depending on your country, apps like Google Pay or Samsung Pay may have limited-time deals with select merchants.
These offers vary by store, so it’s worth checking the details when you're about to pay.
🧠 Why Most Shoppers Miss This Trick
Most people are focused on completing their order as quickly as possible. So when they reach the final screen, they click the first familiar option without a second thought. But that’s exactly where these hidden online discounts usually appear.
Just taking a moment to scan your options — especially during a holiday sale or site-wide promotion — could save you a few extra dollars instantly.
These days, you can install handy browser extensions that automatically search for and apply promo codes or discounts while you're shopping online. Unlike annoying pop-ups, these tools only activate for the specific items or websites you're browsing, making them feel helpful and low effort. However, some may also track your shopping behavior or search data in the background, so it’s good to be mindful of privacy settings.
That said, not every discount is a reason to spend. We've all seen those tempting tiered deals — like “Free shipping on orders over $50,” or “Save 20% when you spend $100, 30% when you spend $150.” While they sound like smart savings, they often push shoppers to add more to their cart than they actually need.
The danger here is subtle. If you're on the fence about an item, that click-to-apply coupon can create a small dopamine hit — a sense of reward that nudges you to complete the purchase, even if it’s something you didn’t plan on buying.
Bottom line? These tools can be great for snagging legit savings on things you already intended to buy. But don’t let the promise of a discount pressure you into going over budget. A deal is only a deal if it saves you money on something you genuinely need.
When it comes to saving money online, it's not just about what you buy — it's also when you buy it. The truth is, the timing of your purchase can make a big difference in how much you pay.
Knowing how to shop at the right time can help you unlock extra savings, avoid peak pricing, and catch better online shopping discounts with very little effort.
🗓️ Big Sale Events = Big Savings
We all know about the major seasonal sales events like:
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Black Friday
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Cyber Monday
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End-of-season clearances
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Holiday sales (like New Year or Back-to-School)
These events are ideal for making high-ticket purchases like electronics, home appliances, and fashion staples.
Retailers usually slash prices during these windows, so if your purchase isn’t urgent, waiting for these events can lead to significant savings.
📉 Midweek Shopping Can Pay Off
Here’s a lesser-known trick: avoid shopping on weekends.
Why? Prices often spike when demand is higher, especially for items like flights, electronics, and even clothing. On the other hand, weekday shopping deals — especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — can sneak in with lower prices, early promo codes, or sitewide offers that aren’t heavily advertised.
These midweek price drops are often part of a retailer’s strategy to boost midweek sales traffic.
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