3 Ways to Save Money Instantly Online

In today’s world, shopping in “brick and mortar” stores seems so backward, dated, and boring. Millions of people each year sit in their jammies while drinking wine and shop for clothes, household goods, gifts, and just about anything else you can imagine. Here are 3 ways to save money instantly online.

One of the great benefits of shopping online is the various coupon, rebates, and dollar-back programs available. If you click through a special link or use a coupon code at checkout, your savings can be substantial. In addition to instant discounts, you gain all the inherent advantages of online shopping: no need to wrangle children through crowded aisles, no money spent on gasoline to travel to and from stores, and no stress from dealing with busy shopping environments.

3 Proven Ways to Save Money Instantly Online

If you’re ready to embrace the convenience and savings of online retail, the next step is to understand where and how to find those discounts. Let’s begin with the most straightforward method: coupons.

Leveraging Coupon Codes for Immediate Savings

Using coupon codes is a standard practice for online shoppers. The process is simple: visit dedicated coupon websites, search for the specific store you plan to shop at, or browse by product category. Always remember to click the “apply” button after entering the coupon code during the checkout process to ensure the discount is applied. While early online shopping often featured remarkably generous coupons (such as $10 off $10 purchases with free shipping), finding such deep discounts today can be more challenging. Some retailers, like Lands’ End, infrequently offer site-wide codes, whereas others, such as L.L. Bean, frequently provide free shipping on all orders. Platforms like Rakuten often list numerous offers for a wide array of stores. To maximize your savings, sign up for newsletters or create accounts on these coupon sites. Many retailers also send exclusive coupon codes directly to their subscribers, which can be among the most valuable deals available. Here are some excellent coupon aggregators to get you started:

• RetailMeNot
• Honey (Browser Extension)
• Groupon (for deals and local offers)
• CouponFollow

Understanding and Utilizing Rebates

Rebates offer a slightly different, but equally effective, way to save money after your purchase. Imagine you decide on a new jacket from Kohl’s and find a coupon for $10 off a $75 purchase. Before completing your order, you could visit a cashback platform like Rakuten. By searching for Kohl’s on Rakuten, you might discover the store offers a 2% cashback reward. Clicking through the Kohl’s link on Rakuten’s page and then making your purchase means you benefit from the initial $10 coupon and receive an additional 2% back on your total spent. This cashback is typically credited to your account and can be redeemed via PayPal or a physical check. Taking advantage of both coupon codes and cashback programs can significantly reduce your overall expenditure.

Maximizing Your Savings with Points Programs

Point programs are a less widely known, yet highly beneficial, savings strategy, especially since you can accumulate points even without making immediate purchases. These programs often function similarly to cashback services in that you initiate your shopping session by clicking through a link on the rewards program’s website. For instance, using MyPoints, you might see that many retailers offer a specific number of points per dollar spent (commonly 2 to 4 points per dollar). Once you accrue a sufficient number of points, typically around 1,000, you can redeem them for gift certificates to various establishments, including restaurants, gas stations, travel providers, and clothing stores. It’s important to note that you generally cannot combine participation in both Rakuten and MyPoints for a single transaction. Therefore, if a retailer is featured on both platforms, assess which offers the most advantageous return for your specific purchase. The ultimate goal should always be to layer your savings strategies whenever possible, such as combining a direct coupon code with rewards earned through either MyPoints or Rakuten.

The key to achieving significant online savings lies in a multi-faceted approach. By diligently applying coupon codes at checkout, integrating cashback rewards like those from Rakuten, and strategically accumulating points through programs like MyPoints, you can drastically reduce your spending. Remember to always compare the offers available and to sign up for newsletters from your favorite retailers and savings platforms to stay informed about the latest deals. Consistent application of these methods can lead to considerable financial savings over time.

If you found these tips helpful, you might also be interested in learning more about traditional couponing strategies: Save Money with Coupon Clipping