Over the past couple of years, I compiled a list of tips and tricks I use to save money when shopping. So, I thought I’d share them with you. This Black Friday, I saved hundreds of dollars using the tricks in this article, so keep on reading if you want to get the best deal when shopping.
Make sure to always get cash back
I recently made it a rule for myself to only shop through apps where I can get cash back for every purchase. This obviously doesn’t apply to groceries or other essentials, such as medication.
During Black Friday, I got up to 16% cash back on sites like Shopbop, H&M, and DSW. I got a total cash back of $68 – which is f*cking amazing if you ask me. Depending on the retailer and season, you can get even 20%. I’ve previously gotten 15% cashback when shopping at Nordstrom. To get cash back, I use apps like Rakuten and Honey. You can use them both on your desktop and phone.
If you’re shopping in-store, don’t worry, you can still get cashback. Simply, connect your debit or credit card to Rakuten, you “add” the retailer you want to get cash back from in the app, and then shop all you want! Rakuten automatically tracks your purchases and processes the cash back.
PS. If you create an account at Rakuten with my link, you’ll get a $30 bonus for you can use for shopping!
Earn points and redeem them for cash or gift cards
I’ve been using Honey for years and what I love the most about it is that you get points for every dollar spent when you shop using their browser extension or app. Even if they don’t have a coupon for you to use, they reward you with points, which you can later redeem for gift cards or even cash.
It doesn’t seem much, but if you’re using the extension for every online purchase you make, it adds up. I’ve managed to get $50 gift cards from different retailers such as Amazon.
Related: 10 Best Places to Shop for Affordable Jewelry Online
Use coupons & discount codes
If you’re using Honey, they browse the web looking for discount codes for you to use. But if they don’t have any coupons for the retailer you’re shopping from, then ask an influencer you’ve seen rep the brand.
Most of the time content creators receive a promo code to share with their audience. I’ve gotten promo codes of up to 50% for my readers and followers. This way you get a discount and are also supporting a content creator – which is always appreciated! It helps us show brands how valuable we are, which can lead to us being better compensated for our work.
Another thing you can do is sign up for the retailer’s newsletter. They usually reward you with a 10 to 15% discount just for signing up. And you can get all of their offers and sales straight to your inbox. Sometimes, those discounts are exclusively shared with those on the mailing list. Also, if you create a free account with them, a lot of retailers reward you with points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed as a discount, free shipping, or even small gifts.
Take advantage of student discounts
If you’re a student, you can download apps such as StudentBeans and Unidays. If you cannot find the retailer in either of these apps, then check if they have a student program directly on their website. You might have to scroll all the way to the bottom or contact customer service and ask!
Related: 5 Ways To Make Money As A College Student
Be rewarded for your steps and physical activity
I use apps such as Sweatcoin and Paceline to get rewarded for my steps and for basically going to the gym.
Sweatcoin
The difference between the two is that Sweatcoin rewards you for your steps, by giving you coins that can be redeemed for discounts on physical products and free trials on virtual products. They have offers such as 3 free months of Apple Music, 50% off your first BarkBox, 7 days free from Apple TV+, and more. You can also donate your coins to different causes. So, you basically walk to help different organizations!
Paceline
Paceline is a bit different because you have to hit a certain amount of minutes of physical activity for it to unlock the offers. For me, it’s 150 minutes weekly. They have offers such as $10 off any task on TaskRabbit, a $5 Winky Lux gift card, a $5 Target gift card, and more. Since the minute goal resets every week, you have to redeem your minutes each week or you’ll lose them that week.
PS. Use code “07J9MZ” to sign up for Paceline.
Download the retailer’s app
Many retailers offer discounts if you download their app and shop from there. Nasty Gal gave me a 20% discount on top of other discounts just to shop from the app. Also, some retailers have app specials where you can get a discount on specific items on the app only. The best part is that you can delete the apps right after you make a purchase.
Make a budget
This is literally one tip everyone gives. Just make a budget – set a spending limit of how much you plan to spend on a specific item or on your shopping spree and stick to it. It’s also an amazing way to practice self-control.
Avoid over-consuming
This is probably the most important tip when it comes to saving money. By buying only what you need or by treating yourself to only a couple of items, you’re not only saving money, but you’re helping the planet. It is especially easy to buy more than you need at fast fashion stores, so try to think in terms of quality as well.
My 3-day rule
Always take a moment to pause and reflect before making a purchase. As someone who used to be an impulse shopper, this piece of advice has truly made a difference in my spending habits. Whenever you find yourself tempted to buy something, especially if it’s something you’re unsure about or don’t genuinely need, simply hit the brakes for a second.
My personal rule is this: if I can’t get that item out of my mind in the next few days, I’ll consider going back to buy it. However, if it slips from my thoughts just as easily as it came, then I know I’ve made a wise decision by not making the purchase in the first place.
Consider renting
If you’re buying an outfit for a special occasion, like a wedding – I recommend renting instead. I think we all have a few items we only wore once for special events. At the end of the day, those clothes just take up space in your closet. Just pay for a subscription, rent the item, and save closet space + money. You can also consider renting the items that are collecting dust in your closet.
I hope these tips were helpful – I will be adding more as I find more tricks and tools.
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