As consumers, it’s important to save as much money as possible while still being able to purchase the items we need and want. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to do just that when shopping online.
In this article, we’ll explore some helpful tools and methods for saving money while shopping on the internet, including cashback apps, comparison shopping, and rewards programs.
Saving Money with Cashback Apps
First up on our list is the use of cashback apps. These apps provide a percentage of cashback on purchases made through their platform.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is one of the most popular options in this category, offering cashback from thousands of online retailers. Simply sign up and create an account, then start shopping through their platform to earn cashback on eligible purchases.
Another popular option is
Ibotta, which provides cashback on both online and in-store purchases. Simply add offers to your account before shopping, then upload your receipt afterward to receive cashback.
It’s an easy and straightforward way to earn cashback on purchases you were already planning to make.
Outsmarting Dynamic Pricing
Dynamic pricing is a practice used by some retailers where the price of an item can change based on factors such as the time of day or the location of the shopper. This can be frustrating for consumers, but there are ways to outsmart this practice.
One way to do so is by comparison shopping. Visit multiple retailers for the same product to find the best deal.
Clearing cookies and using a VPN (virtual private network) can also help to avoid dynamic pricing, as retailers may track your browsing history and adjust prices accordingly. Using a cashback credit card is another tactic to save money.
Many credit cards offer cashback on purchases made with their card. You can earn cashback on your purchases while avoiding dynamic pricing and comparing prices at different retailers.
Leveraging Rewards Programs for Savings
In addition to cashback apps and comparison shopping, there are numerous rewards programs available that can help you save money while shopping online.
MyPoints is one such program that offers points for various activities, such as taking surveys or shopping through their platform.
Points can then be redeemed for gift cards or other rewards.
Swagbucks is another popular rewards program that offers gift cards or cashback for various tasks, such as watching videos or completing surveys. Both
MyPoints and
Swagbucks are free to sign up for and provide numerous ways to earn rewards.
The Importance of Saving Money
Managing Finances
While saving money while shopping is important, it’s just as important to manage your finances overall. One key aspect of this is budgeting.
Creating a budget helps to keep track of your expenses and ensure that you’re not overspending. There are numerous budgeting apps available that make this process easier and more streamlined.
Shopping Habits
Another relevant aspect of saving money is analyzing your shopping habits. Online shopping in particular can be a time-consuming activity, leading to overspending and impulse purchases.
One strategy for managing this is to limit the amount of time spent shopping online. Set aside a certain amount of time each week for online shopping and stick to it.
Additionally, creating a shopping list before browsing can help to avoid overspending and impulse purchases.
Evolution of Shopping
Finally, taking note of trends and changes in the world of e-commerce can assist in better managing finances and saving money. In recent years, subscription services have gained popularity, such as meal kits, book clubs, and clothing boxes.
While these services can be convenient, they can also add up quickly and become costly. Be sure to evaluate the potential value of each subscription service before signing up, and cancel any subscriptions that are not providing worth over time.
Conclusion
Saving money while shopping online requires some intentional effort, but thankfully, there are a variety of tools and strategies to make it manageable. From cashback apps to rewards programs and comparison shopping, these tactics can add up over time and result in significant savings.
Additionally, managing overall finances, analyzing shopping habits, and staying aware of e-commerce trends can help to make smart decisions and achieve financial goals in the long run.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
If you’re looking to save money while shopping online, Rakuten is a go-to option for many. Here’s a closer look at how to sign up, use it, and earn cashback.
How to Sign Up
To sign up for Rakuten, visit their website and click “Join Now.” You’ll be prompted to enter your email address and create a password. Alternatively, you can sign up using a social media account, such as Facebook or Google.
Once you’ve created your account, you can start shopping through their platform to earn cashback.
How to Use It
Navigating Rakuten is relatively straightforward. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a list of stores offering cashback on their platform.
You can search for specific stores or browse by category. When you find a store you want to shop at, click the “Shop Now” button to be redirected to their website.
When you make a purchase, cashback will be added to your Rakuten account. One helpful feature of Rakuten is their pop-up alerts.
When you visit a website that offers cashback through Rakuten, a pop-up notification will appear in the top right corner of your screen. Click “Activate” to activate the cashback offer, then proceed with your purchase.
Earnings and Payouts
Earnings on Rakuten vary depending on the particular store and the type of purchase made. Cashback percentages can range from 1% to 30%.
Once you’ve accumulated at least $5.01 in cashback, you can choose to receive a check or receive payment through PayPal. If you opt for a check, it will be mailed to the address you provided during registration.
If you choose PayPal, the payment will be sent to your linked account.
Ibotta
Ibotta is another popular app for earning cashback on both online and in-store purchases. Here’s a closer look at how to sign up, use it, and withdraw earnings.
How to Sign Up
To sign up for
Ibotta, download the app from the App Store or Google Play. You’ll be prompted to enter your email address and create a password.
Once you’ve created your account, you can start browsing offers and earning cashback.
How to Use It
Browsing offers on
Ibotta is easy. Simply open the app and select the retailer you’re interested in.
You’ll see a list of offers available, such as cashback on specific products or a percentage back on your purchase total. When you find an offer you want to use, click “Add” to add it to your account.
After shopping, upload your receipt to the app to receive cashback. In addition to browsing offers,
Ibotta also offers bonuses.
These are usually tied to completing a certain number of offers or shopping at specific retailers. Bonuses can add up quickly and result in larger payouts.
Withdrawing Earnings
Earnings on
Ibotta can be withdrawn in multiple ways. One option is through PayPal or Venmo.
To do so, link your PayPal or Venmo account to your
Ibotta account and withdraw your earnings. Another option is through gift cards.
Ibotta offers gift cards for various retailers, such as Amazon or Walmart. You can redeem your earnings for a gift card and use it for future purchases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Rakuten and
Ibotta offer simple and straightforward ways to earn cashback on purchases. Whether you prefer shopping through a website or an app, these tools can help you save money and earn rewards.
By taking advantage of their sign-up bonuses, browsing offers and bonuses, and withdrawing earnings through your preferred method, you can maximize your savings and make the most of your online shopping experience.
Outsmarting Dynamic Pricing
Dynamic pricing is a common tactic used by online retailers to adjust the prices of their products based on various factors. While it can be frustrating for consumers to contend with constantly changing prices, there are a few simple ways to outsmart dynamic pricing.
Comparison Shopping
One effective way to avoid dynamic pricing is to compare prices across different retailers. Websites like Google Shopping allow users to search for a specific product and see a list of prices from various retailers.
By comparing the prices, you can determine the retailer offering the best deal and avoid dynamic pricing altogether.
Clearing Cookies and Browsing History
Many retailers use cookies to track a customer’s browsing history and adjust prices accordingly. One way to avoid this is to clear your cookies and browsing history or shop as a new customer.
Alternatively, you can use your browser’s “incognito mode” to prevent tracking altogether.
Using a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) is another effective way to avoid dynamic pricing. By masking your IP address, retailers won’t be able to track your browsing history and adjust prices accordingly.
Using a VPN also ensures that you’re being charged the normal rates, rather than a potentially higher price due to dynamic pricing.
Cashback Credit Cards
Another way to save money while shopping online is by using a cashback credit card. These cards offer rewards in the form of cashback on purchases made using the card.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of using them, examples of popular cards, and how to keep track of rewards.
Benefits of Using Them
One of the primary benefits of using a cashback credit card is the rewards it offers. Most cards offer a percentage back on purchases made using the card, with some offering higher percentages in certain categories, such as grocery stores or gas stations.
Additionally, some cards offer sign-up bonuses or other rewards for using the card regularly.
Examples of Cards
Two popular cashback credit cards are the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited cards. The Chase Freedom Flex card offers 5% cashback on purchases in rotating categories, with 1% cashback on all other purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers 1.5% cashback on all purchases, with no limit on the amount earned. Both cards offer sign-up bonuses for meeting certain spending requirements.
Keeping Track
To ensure that you’re maximizing your rewards, it’s important to keep track of them. Credit card companies typically provide an online account where you can view your rewards balance and redeem rewards.
Additionally, many companies offer official bonus categories and provide updates on how much you’ve spent in each category to ensure that you’re maximizing your rewards.
Conclusion
Outsmarting dynamic pricing and using cashback credit cards are two effective ways to save money while shopping online. By comparison shopping, clearing cookies and browsing history, using a VPN, and choosing the right cashback credit card, you can maximize your savings and earn rewards on your purchases.
Keeping track of rewards and taking advantage of cards’ official bonus categories can help you make the most of your cards and achieve your financial goals.
MyPoints
If you’re looking for an easy way to earn rewards while shopping online,
MyPoints is a great option to consider. Here’s a closer look at how to sign up, what you can earn, and the redemption options available.
How to Sign Up
To sign up for
MyPoints, visit their website and click “Join Now.” You’ll be prompted to enter your name, email address, and create a password. Once you’ve created your account, you can start earning rewards through various activities.
What You Can Earn
MyPoints offers a variety of ways to earn points, including shopping through their platform, watching videos, taking surveys, and playing games. When you make a purchase through their platform, you’ll earn points for each dollar spent.
Additionally, each activity offered by
MyPoints has a corresponding point value. For example, watching a short video might earn you 5 points, while completing a survey might earn you 50 points.
When you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for various rewards. The number of points required varies depending on the reward.
Some popular options include gift cards, PayPal cash, and travel miles.
Redemption Options
One advantage of
MyPoints is the variety of redemption options available. Gift cards are one of the most popular options, with cards offered for retailers like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks.
You can also choose to redeem your points for cash through PayPal or travel miles through various airlines.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is another popular rewards program that offers a variety of ways to earn points and rewards. Here’s a closer look at how to sign up, what you can earn, and the redemption options available.
How to Sign Up
To sign up for
Swagbucks, visit their website and click “Join Now.” You’ll be prompted to enter your name, email address, and create a password. Once you’ve created your account, you can start earning points and rewards through various activities.
Earning Points and Rewards
Swagbucks offers numerous ways to earn points, including online shopping, watching videos, answering surveys, and using their search engine. When you make a purchase through their platform, you’ll earn points for each dollar spent.
Similarly to
MyPoints, each activity has a corresponding point value, and the more points you accumulate, the more rewards you can earn.
Redemption Options
Swagbucks offers a variety of redemption options for earned points. Gift cards to various retailers are a popular option, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
You can also redeem your points for cashback through PayPal or as a prepaid Visa card. Finally,
Swagbucks also offers the option to donate your points to various charities.
Conclusion
Both
MyPoints and
Swagbucks offer simple and straightforward ways to earn rewards through various activities, such as online shopping, watching videos, and answering surveys. By accumulating points and redeeming them for rewards, you can make the most of your online activities and earn rewards for purchases you were already planning to make.
With a variety of redemption options available, you can choose the rewards that work best for you and achieve your financial goals.
Stacking Rewards
One effective way to maximize your savings while shopping is by stacking rewards. By combining various rewards programs, discounts, and cashback offers, you can save money on purchases and earn rewards for future use.
Here’s a closer look at how to stack rewards for savings on Amazon, groceries, and earning gift cards.
Saving at Amazon
Amazon is a popular retailer for many, thanks to the convenience of online shopping and quick delivery options. In order to save money on your Amazon purchases, consider stacking the following rewards and discounts:
-Rakuten: As mentioned earlier, Rakuten offers cashback on purchases made through their platform.
Combine this with your Amazon purchases to earn cashback on eligible items. -Capital One Shopping Price Protection: This browser extension can help you find the best prices on Amazon by comparing prices across various retailers.
Additionally, it offers price protection on Amazon purchases, meaning that if the price drops within a certain timeframe, you can receive the difference. -Cashback Credit Card: Using a cashback credit card for your Amazon purchases can earn you additional rewards in the form of cashback or points.
Saving on Groceries
Groceries are an essential expense for many households, but there are ways to save money on your regular grocery store trips. Consider stacking the following rewards and discounts for savings:
–
Ibotta:
Ibotta offers cashback on grocery store purchases.
Simply add offers to your account before shopping, then upload your receipt afterward to receive cashback. Combine