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5 Smart Tips To Save Money While Shopping Online

April 21, 2023

Table of Contents

    Online shopping sales mean lots of offers and a drain of your money down on items that might seem a waste later! Here’s how you can plan better and ensure your finances do not take a dip while you enjoy your end-of-the-year shopping bonanza!

    In recent times shopping has become effortless and you can even save money while shopping online. There is no need to get dressed, travel to the mall or a shop, and choose an offer that works best for you.

    With just a single tap, you can buy whatever you want with zero effort. But we often forget that a single tap also reduces the money in our bank account. 

    We're always presented with some discounts or great offers on anything and everything online. Sometimes it might be things we need, and sometimes it might be things we really want.

    Other times it's something that we tend to buy only by impulse. So, why do we still end up buying so many things online? 

    Do we include this aspect when we set our financial goals or maybe plan out the finances for the year? If you answer yes, you have done your job planning your finances correctly.

    If you haven't, it's never too late to make sure you don't leave a dent in your bank balance by the end of the online sale season. 

    Why are online sales a great time to clear your wishlists?

    Most online sales tend to come around when most of us get promotions or incentives. Companies know that and wish to capitalize on your account's extra money.

    You need to ensure that you've done your research regarding the things you need, and everything will fall into place.

    If you can be smart about it and plan well in advance, you'll get all the exact products you're looking for.

    Online sales are another excellent opportunity to make the most out of your wallet and get products that can last you for many years.

    Try to invest as much as possible in necessities rather than trivial products, and you'll thank yourself for many years!

    Here's what you need to keep an eye out for during the holiday sales:

    Holiday-themed discounts and deals 

    Just prior to the beginning of the holiday shopping season, prominent retail companies and online shopping platforms will begin advertising their marquee bargains.

    Be on the lookout for these things. In these sections, you may look through deals for your favorite categories and fresh updates with information about offers and sales. 

    These discounts are not exclusive to online purchasing but are also available at brick-and-mortar establishments. You may make the most of shopping across many channels all at once by keeping an eye out for sales and other savings.

    Coupons and promotional code discounts 

    Coupons and discount codes almost always have T&Cs to fulfil. Read the small print and make the most of the coupons you've accumulated over these past months to save money during this holiday season. 

    You might also use coupon applications, which provide faster access to the coupons offered by shops. There is no need to clip anything; you must scan the code with your phone to receive the discount.

    The availability of debit and credit card options 

    During festival season, banks and other financial institutions typically offer enticing bargains and discounts to customers using credit or debit cards.

    Additionally, e-commerce companies sometimes work with financial institutions to offer cashback, reward points, or discounts on customer purchases.

    For instance, IDFC FIRST Bank gives customers who use their debit cards throughout the holiday season a 1% reward on their purchases.

    If you keep your eye out, you'll be able to find similar discounts and cards being provided by some of the major banks around the country. 

    Going bargain-hunting 

    There are a lot of online merchants that provide first-time customers exclusive discounts and deals. To take advantage of these, check if any of your family/friends do not have an account on these websites. 

    Similarly, exploring the web in anonymous mode might give you an additional opportunity to hunt for price reductions. When you combine different discounts and deals, you may frequently save quite a bit of money.

    To get the most out of the deals that demand a certain total purchase, go shopping with a group of friends or family members.

    Rewards in the form of cashback

    There are various ways to save money, and not all of them involve receiving a reduction in the price of the things you buy.

    What if you get some cash back for the transaction you make? Well, that's the beauty of cashback! It makes the entire process of spending more fun and exciting. 

    Keep an eye out for any awards or points for loyalty, too. If the store participates in a customer loyalty program, the holiday shopping season may bring increased opportunities to earn loyalty points and lower prices on memberships.

    Several retailers now provide certificates as a seasonal gift option, which you may subsequently use for a discount on purchases.

    The perfect opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy is during a festival. You may reduce the money you spend on your purchases by carefully preparing and shopping beforehand.

    Ensure that you list the items you want beforehand, and try to maximize the rewards you receive from your sales.

    With time, you'll begin understanding how these online sales can help you get the most essential products you need at slashed prices. 

    To conclude 

    If money is tight at the moment or you're trying to build up your savings, it's worth setting a budget.

    If you have a strategy in place, it will be easier for you to resist temptations such as "free delivery on purchases above X amount," "buy one get one free," or cheap "similar goods" that you do not require.

    Now that you have all this information, you need to determine how it fits into your total budget. Your budget is closely tied to your shopping list. Your fixed expenditures are the critical, non-negotiable products you must acquire online every month.

    Make a ballpark estimate of the total price you're willing to pay. After that, repeat steps 1 and 2 for the "nice to haves," also known as your variable expenses.

    Work out these expenses, and with time, you'll be able to get the most out of the sales period smartly!