Frugal Family: How to Save When Shopping Online

The shopping world is becoming more and more web-oriented, but shipping costs can add up and it’s sometimes hard to be certain that you’re getting the best deal. I do my best to avoid paying full price on anything I buy online. Here are a few tips to help keep your hard-earned cash:

1. Do your homework. It only takes a few minutes to check several sites to get the best price…do a little comparison shopping before you buy.
2. Combine orders when you can. If you and a friend both order frequently from the same site, check and see if combining your items into one order will save you cash on shipping costs.
3. Try to avoid shipping costs altogether when possible. Several sites offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount of money.
4. If you don’t qualify for free shipping based on your purchase amount, check for promotional or discount codes online. Use Google or your favorite search engine and run a search like “free shipping” and the name of the site you’re shopping through. Many codes will pop up; some will work and some won’t, but it’s worth a try. 
5. Search for general promotional codes and freebies on sites such as retailmenot.com. Just type in the store name, and several discounts will usually pop up. I’ve found free shipping, $5 off, save 10%, etc. The biggest deal I’ve found through these sites was when I was taking my children to see a show at Gwinnett Arena – we sat in the $60 section and only paid $15 for each seat.
6. If you’re buying airline tickets online, try to do so on Tuesday afternoons.  That’s typically when airfare is cheapest. Traditionally, one airline will announce a sale on Monday evening and by midday on Tuesday, all the others will have picked up on it and will be offering competitive prices.  Buy Wednesday, prices start creeping up again.
7. Realize that sometimes the convenience of buying online may not be worth the cost. This is especially true when purchasing event tickets.  Going through the big ticket sellers, while quick and easy, can come with convenience fees. When going to plays, shows and sporting events, try giving the venue’s box office a call before buying online to see if you can avoid “convenience” fees and shipping costs.

Buying online can definitely be a quick, comfortable way to shop. Being diligent, patient and willing to do your homework ensures that you’ll get the best deal. Best of all: you can do it all in your pj’s. Good luck and happy shopping.