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