Ever click checkout and then wince at the final total? You’re not alone. Each year billions of us shop online but miss out on easy savings. In fact, about 70 percent of online carts get abandoned before purchase (Baymard Institute). The good news is that a few simple tweaks can help you snag better deals and avoid buyer’s remorse. Here are 10 insider smart shopping tips that will change how you buy online today.
Compare prices across platforms
Before you hit buy now, take a minute to scan multiple retailers. Prices can vary widely for the same item.
- Try dedicated comparison sites like Google Shopping and PriceGrabber
- Check marketplace sellers versus brand storefronts
- Peek at international versions of a site—you might spot lower rates after currency conversion
Use price tracking tools
Want to know if that gadget really dropped in price? Price tracking services do the heavy lifting for you.
- CamelCamelCamel monitors Amazon price history
- Honey sends you price drop alerts on thousands of stores
- Keepa charts real-time pricing trends so you can time your purchase
Claim cashback and rewards
Getting a little money back feels like free cash, right? Cashback portals and reward programs stack up your savings.
- Sign up for Rakuten or TopCashback before shopping
- Link your preferred credit card for extra points or miles
- Combine retailer loyalty programs with site-wide offers
Leverage coupon codes
Coupon codes still work—if you know where to find them. A quick search can save you up to 30 percent or more.
- Install browser extensions like RetailMeNot or Honey for automatic code testing
- Bookmark dedicated coupon sites before big shopping days
- Subscribe to brand newsletters often offering first-order discounts
Sign up for deal alerts
Deal alerts feel like having a personal bargain hunter in your pocket. You’ll never miss limited-time steals.
- Follow deal-focused newsletters such as Slickdeals or Brad’s Deals
- Enable push notifications in shopping apps to catch flash sales
- Set Google Alerts for products on your wishlist
Shop during sales events
Major sale days aren’t just for Black Friday. Build your shopping calendar around the year’s biggest markdowns.
- Mark down Amazon Prime Day, Cyber Monday, and year-end clearance dates
- Watch for seasonal sales like back-to-school or end-of-season blowouts
- Combine event discounts with coupons and cashback for maximum impact
Optimize shipping costs
Shipping fees can eat into your savings fast. A few freight-saving habits go a long way.
- Consolidate orders to hit free-shipping thresholds
- Try in-store or curbside pickup when available
- Compare standard versus expedited rates—you might not need next-day delivery
Read user reviews
User reviews are your best window into real product performance. Look beyond the star rating.
- Scan for verified purchases to spot authentic feedback
- Watch for repeated praise or complaints about the same feature
- Check photo and video reviews for real-life usage
Try browser extensions
Extensions automate deal-hunting so you can shop hands-free. They’re like little shopping sidekicks.
- Honey tests coupon codes at checkout automatically
- Capital One Shopping compares prices and tracks rewards
- InvisibleHand alerts you when a better price exists elsewhere
Protect your payment data
Smart shopping isn’t just about saving money. It’s about keeping your info safe too.
- Use secure payment options like PayPal or virtual credit cards
- Shop only on sites with HTTPS and a padlock icon in the address bar
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when entering payment details
Key takeaways
- Scan multiple retailers and use comparison sites
- Track prices with tools like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa
- Stack cashback, coupons, and rewards for extra savings
- Time your purchases around major sales events
- Cut shipping costs with consolidated orders or free-shipping perks
- Lean on user reviews and browser extensions for smarter buys
- Keep your payment info secure every time you check out
Try one of these tactics on your next order and watch your savings grow. Got a favorite hack? Share it in the comments below so everyone can cash in on smarter shopping.