I think lots of us are shopping online more and more these days so I thought it might be useful to share the things I do before every online purchase to make sure I’m getting the best deal for me.
Before I start with the things that I do to make sure that I’m getting what I want for the best deal out there, I do just want to say one thing that I do try to do which doesn’t always save me money with smaller items. I try and see if there’s a small business, preferably local who I can buy the same thing for a similar cost – I’m not going to pay a lot extra but if I can buy from a small business then I might pay a little bit more knowing that.
It’s easier said than done to find a local business that does what I’m after but if there’s a company I know of who I think might do then I’ll check their website or reach out to them on Instagram or Facebook. Other than that I’ll often check on Etsy to see if I can buy similar on there. So when I wanted some silver earrings with some kind of pearl detail, I searched on there and found these little beauties for £3.50 which was actually cheaper than anything else I’d seen by far and they were so cute and delicate. And just look at the note the seller left me…
My alternative to this was a cheap (but still more expensive than this) mass-produced option from somewhere like Claires in town or a more expensive earring from somewhere like Pandora which you know the world will be wearing.
So… the moral of this story is to try and support small businesses where you can. 😇
Now back to the actual moneysaving part of this post! Here are my top tips for things you should do before every online purchase:
Ask yourself is it really a good deal?
A quick Google of the product you’re wanting to buy will bring up all kinds of products from companies across the internet, usually including a photo, the cost, and even the postage if you select the shopping option underneath the search bar. I found my pearl earrings by going straight to Etsy first as I don’t think all the individual Etsy sellers come up on the shopping search but had I not then I would have been presented with so many options to suit all budgets. I still like mine better but those Monica Vinader ones would like to come and live with me. 😂
Often with larger products that are marketed as being on sale with a particular company, you’ll do this search and find that they’re not really as good a deal as they seem as they’re actually a similar price with other companies who aren’t trying to tell you that they’re on sale.
Make sure you’re getting cash back where you can
I’m sure you’re all fully up to speed with cashback websites but just in case you’re not, get yourself signed up to a cash back website like Top Cash Back and check on there before you make a purchase to see if it’s a company you can get cash back on. If it is, use the link to the website from the Top Cash Back site so your visit is tracked, and then just make your purchase as normal and you’ll be paid out whatever the cashback amount is once it’s validated. It’s a game-changer when you realise how much money you can get back on your purchases! I do have a post here which explains cash back in a bit more detail if that helps at all.
This is my refer a friend link that gives you a £10 bonus for signing up.
Download the Honey Browser extension
I love Honey and have probably mentioned it quite a bit lately as it’s saved me a fair amount of money this year. It basically knows when you’re checking out on a website and when you get to the page where you can add in a discount code then it offers to search the web for you and see if it can find one. You’ll see it on your screen whizzing through all the possible discount codes and then it will apply the best one or let you know that you already have the best price.
Even when Honey can’t find you a discount code, the pop-up will often tell you that you can earn ‘Honey Gold’ on the purchase which is almost like cash back as the Honey Gold can then be redeemed for vouchers for certain online stores.
This is my refer a friend link for Honey so you can start saving right now!
Is there a loyalty card you can use to get some extra rewards
Make sure you have all the store loyalty cards that you’re offered and that you actually use them when you make a purchase if you can. I do really well with Boots Advantage points and save them through the year so I have enough at Christmas usually to buy a small bottle of perfume for Miss Frugal.
Do you really need it?
And aside from all the ways you can save money on your purchase, do ask yourself the question ‘Do I really need it?’ because not buying something is obviously the ultimate way to save money.
If you follow these tips, I guarantee you’re going to save money!
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