| Online shopping has grown immensely over the past | | | | before you decide you've found the best deal online. |
| few years. There are so many advantages to | | | | Just because you found the cheapest price on a |
| shopping online in addition to just finding a great deal | | | | product in one place doesn't mean that it's the best |
| delivered to your door. Here are some great tips to | | | | deal in the end. You need to be sure to add the price |
| help you save money while shopping online. | | | | of the product, tax if applicable and shipping. |
| 1) Shop Ahead of Time | | | | Sometimes there is an outrageous shipping charge to |
| Give yourself plenty of time before special events | | | | make up for the low price on a product. You should |
| when shopping online to allow for shipping of your | | | | be able to look up this information on the website |
| order and avoiding costly expedited shipping fees. | | | | under "customer service" or "FAQ" but if you still |
| Giving yourself some time also allows you to shop | | | | can't find all the information you need, go ahead and |
| around for specials. You might have a purchase in | | | | enter the product as if you were going to purchase |
| mind and know you don't need to order it today and | | | | it and see what they calculate for tax and shipping. |
| then you find it on sale or a particular website is | | | | Just don't enter your credit card information. Only |
| having a promotion to help you save money. | | | | then can you legitimately compare prices between |
| 2) Earn Cash Rebates and Incentives for Shopping | | | | online merchants. |
| Online | | | | 5) Free Membership to Money Saving Newsletters |
| There are several free websites out there that work | | | | You should sign up for newsletters directly with |
| as virtual shopping malls and offer incentives for | | | | companies and with some money saving groups. For |
| shopping through them. You actually make your | | | | example, if you shop regularly at Toys-R-Us, |
| purchases through actual merchant's websites, but | | | | Fisher-Price or Lillian Vernon, make sure you're on |
| you get there through the virtual mall website in | | | | their mailing list so you hear about their online |
| order to earn your rewards. Some of these websites | | | | shopping sales right away. Often times there are |
| offer points that can later be redeemed for gift | | | | deals for free shipping. Free shipping can make or |
| certificates or gift items. Two examples are Club | | | | break an online shopping deal. You also want to sign |
| Mom and My Points. Other free websites offer cash | | | | up to forums or online newsletters from groups who |
| back rebates on every purchase you make by | | | | are out there scouting out the best online shopping |
| shopping online through their website. Some of these | | | | deals. One great newsletter is from They also have a |
| include My Power Mall, Ebates and Inbox Dollars. The | | | | superb forum to learn about many other ways to |
| great thing about these free websites that offer | | | | save money. |
| cash back is that you earn cash to spend however | | | | 6) Don't Ignore Shopping from Smaller Websites |
| you choose. You are not limited to specific gift cards | | | | Retailers |
| or gift items you don't really want. | | | | Just because you're not familiar with a particular |
| 3) Look-up Coupon Codes | | | | website doesn't mean it's not any good. I have found |
| It's always a great idea to see if there are any valid | | | | some great deals on some smaller merchant |
| coupon codes you can use toward your purchase. | | | | websites and have had great customer service as |
| Sign up to receive notification from websites who | | | | well. That doesn't mean you shouldn't check them |
| specialize in this. One example is Couponcabin. You | | | | out. Be sure to read their return policy, and make |
| can sign up to receive a newsletter with the hottest | | | | sure there is a way to contact them for customer |
| online deals and you can also go to their website | | | | service should you need it. You may also be able to |
| before a purchase and look up the store you're | | | | find merchant ratings online. |
| considering to buy from and see if there are any | | | | Added Bonuses |
| deals you can take advantage of. Sometimes you | | | | If you're anything like me, I don't look forward to |
| can find a coupon code for a certain amount off of a | | | | hauling two kids to various stores or to the mall for |
| purchase, or my favorites are a coupon codes for | | | | the day to shop for something. It's more frustrating |
| free or discounted shipping. Some other examples of | | | | than enjoyable and there is no guarantee I'm going |
| coupon code websites are Fightdivx, Ecoupons and | | | | to find what I'm looking for, or for a reasonable price. |
| Currentcode. Please note though, if you shop through | | | | By shopping online I save time and money. No hassle |
| a virtual mall as mentioned above, write down the | | | | of crowds or grouchy kids and it's much easier to |
| coupon code, go to your virtual mall, click on the | | | | comparison shop between stores for the best deal. |
| merchant link and only then input the coupon code. | | | | And I'm saving money on gas and not polluting the |
| Clicking directly to the merchant website without | | | | air! |
| going through your virtual mall will cause you to lose | | | | I hope you found these online shopping tips useful |
| your rebate or incentive from the virtual mall. | | | | and may you find some great deals on your future |
| 4) Be Sure to Add It All Up! | | | | online shopping adventures! |
| Make sure you take all things into consideration | | | | |