How to save money shopping online
Online shopping has both its good and bad points. It’s great for finding a bargain you couldn’t find in the shops, or doing your weekly grocery shop in your pyjamas because you can’t be bothered to go to the store. What it’s not so good at is sparking that inner temptation that lies within all of us. Whilst that Angel on your shoulder may tell you that you don’t need anything; you can be sure the devil is saying ‘but it looks so good’. So whether you’re shopping for essentials online, or there’s that new mascara you’ve got to have, remember my tips on how you can save money online shopping.
Use coupons
Coupons and voucher codes are essential when I want to save money online shopping. Dependent on the retailer sometimes you can save up to 20% on average, I’m sure you’ll agree that’s a pretty significant saving. I’m a big fan of the Honey extension. Pouch is another good one, although I don’t use it as often. Honey is great as it will also give you cashback which you can buy high street vouchers with.
Shop on cashback websites
I’ve been on TopCashback for many years and I use it every time I can when shopping online. Since I started using TopCashback I have earned £1,657.29 cashback which I have cashed out to spend on whatever I want. If you’re not a member yet you can sign up under my link. If you want to branch out, there are other sites like Quidco and cashback apps like GreenJinn.
A new favourite cashback extension has got to be the Kindred cashback extension. I don’t even need to click through it to earn cashback, I just need to have the extension active. I’ve only had it a short time and earned £7.97. Cashback is one of the best things about shopping online; you’re literally being paid to shop. Over the years this will definitely help you to save money online shopping as you can use the money you generate through cashback to buy new things.
Stick to your shopping list
Where possible try to avoid temptation and stick to your shopping list. By only buying the items on your list and not swaying, you will save a lot of money. This is a great way to save money grocery shopping as you have to search specifically for what you want, rather than browsing the aisles in the supermarket and adding everything to your trolley that catches your eye.
Sign up to a brands loyalty scheme
I love loyalty cards as much as I love cashback. I used to have so many I would find it hard to shut my purse. My favourites are Nectar, Subway, Tesco Clubcard and Boots Advantage. Whilst a lot of loyalty cards are for use in store, you still have the option to use some of them online. Being loyal to a brand will often get you extra discounts and coupons which time can use to save money shopping online.
Save your items in your wishlist
This will sound like a strange idea initially but stick with it. Often when I want to shop online this is impulse buying. So to avoid spending ridiculous amounts of money on things I don’t need (I have a SHEIN problem!) I like to heart them or put the items on a wishlist.
When I go back to my wishlist I often find that item doesn’t have so much appeal anymore. By going away and coming back another day, you’ll have fresh eyes on the product and know if you ‘really’ want it or not. I can guarantee you this will save you a lot of money!
Create a budget (and stick to it!)
One easy way to save money online is to create a budget. At the start of the month determine how much you will spend on food, clothes, eating out etc and move that money out of your account.
Monzo is a great bank for creating pots where you can put the money you’ve allocated for each section. If you’re not with Monzo there are a lot of other banks that offer this feature. Once you’ve spent that money that’s it until next month.
I hope this post helps you save some money, do let me know what you thought in the comments.
Before you go make sure you check out my fabulous list of birthday freebies.
If you think your friends and family would love to find out more, please give the post a share on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
I can’t believe how much you’ve saved on Topcashback! I’ve used it for many years but I always forget to go through it!!
It’s so worth making a note to remember!
I often spend ages putting things in my shopping basket and then abandoning it. Sometimes it works out well because I then get sent a discount voucher.
Coupons are a great way to save money when shopping online.
1oo% Honey’s one of my fave
Some really great tips, I always stick to my list and use coupons and buy things on offer, it really makes a difference.
This was a very helpful post, thank you
Great tips here. I love using cashback apps to get a little something back.
I’m definitely going to be trying out these tips with Christmas coming up thank you!
Some great tips and ideas to work through here, thanks for your thoroughness!
I often forget to use Topcashback, but my nephew’s family have paid for a holiday by using this site. A great idea and something I should use more frequently!
It’s one of my faves, i’ve made about £1500 from it now 🙂
Very useful
It’s not often mentioned to put something in your wishlist and think about it. I often find you then have an offer of savings on it.