In today’s economy, saving money is crucial. Online shopping is the new frontier for saving money. Online shopping comes with many advantages like free shipping, online shopping discounts and more. Occasionally, it may be more cost-effective to shop online than to waste gas driving to your local shopping center of choice. It’s also more convenient – there are no closing hours for online shoppers!
Here are a few places that will help you stretch your dollar while shopping online. Discount ratings are based on a four star system.
1. RetailMeNot.com
Pros:
RetailMeNot.com is a great source to find online coupons and discounts at your local stores. If you’re a big fan of shopping malls and department stores, then RetailMeNot.com will quickly become your new online shopping buddy. RetailMeNot.com is a place for online shoppers to post the latest and greatest in sales, online discount codes and more. If you’re not into online shopping, no worries! RetailMeNot.com occasionally offers printable coupons.
Cons:
After RetailMeNot.com was featured in a major magazine, many retailers have requested to be removed from their system. Fortunately, some of these retailers will still post their sales, but they have blocked user-contributed discount codes and coupons. Ouch!
Discount Deal Rating: 2 Stars
2. Dealigg.com
Pros:
Online bargain hunting in its purest form is Dealigg.com. Not only does Dealigg.com offer user-contributed discount codes, printable coupons and sale information for online shoppers – it also directs bargain hunters toward freebies. Who doesn’t love a freebie? Just click on the top tab and you’ll find a smorgasbord of free samples (like makeup!) Of course, freebies aren’t just limited to free samples. In the freebies section you can also find rebates that cover the costs of products (like do-it-yourself tax programs,) and in some cases you’ll even get a few bucks back after rebate!
Cons:
Some stores just aren’t listed on Dealigg.com – they are far and few between, but occasionally you just might not be able to find that one particular store.
Discount Deal Rating: 3 ½ Stars
3. BeatMyPrice.com
Pros:
If you’re searching online for a bargain on a TV, DVD player or other major electronic purchase – BeatMyPrice.com is the place for you. While it can be used for just about any purchase (clothing, shoes, purses and other more female-friendly products,) many users check out BeatMyPrice.com to compare prices on things like an Xbox 360, an Apple iPod, or that big screen TV they’ve always dreamed of. Just type in the product name, copy in the link of the product, and then price and click "Beat this!" You’ll be redirected to a page that shows you what prices others have found for the same product. You’ll know instantly if you’re paying too much, or if you’ve really found a great bargain.
Cons:
Occasionally, for lesser-known products (like a very, very specific camera) you may find that your cheaper prices are on eBay. Some users don’t care to buy previously used electronics. Fortunately, this isn’t always the case and eBay will only be one of several price options.
Discount Deal Rating: 3 Stars
4. MyPoints.com
Pros:
MyPoints.com is a great way to combine all of your online shopping. If you’re frequently shopping online – you can earn points with MyPoints.com. It’s pretty simple, just register – fill out a survey about yourself and what products you’re interested in and boom! You’re earning points. Points can be exchanged for gift cards to just about anywhere: WalMart, Pier1, Office Depot and more. You’ll earn points just for buying things you regularly buy online like office supplies, clothes and more. Gift cards come in values of anywhere from 5$ to 100$.
Cons:
It can take up to 6 months to save up for a $25 – $50 gift card, but that’s money that can be spent on groceries, clothing or other household needs. You will also receive a lot of spam, so be sure to set up a separate account for your MyPoints emails. Checking your separate email account once a week can earn you points galore, and it only takes about half an hour a week.
Discount Deal Rating: 2 Stars
So bargain-hunters rejoice – the bargains are far and wide. Whatever you’re searching for, remember that the internet is a great place to find a great deal. Be wary of shipping costs outweighing the savings, and you’ll be sure to stretch your dollar.