Shopping online offers unparalleled convenience, a vast selection of products, and often, significant discounts. However, it’s easy to get carried away with spending, especially when sales and promotions seem to be everywhere. The good news is that there are numerous strategies you can employ to ensure you’re not just spending money, but saving it too. In this article, we’ll dive into 15 money-saving tips to help you save big while shopping online in 2025.

1. Use Price Comparison Websites and Tools

Before making any purchase, it’s crucial to compare prices across different websites. Price comparison websites aggregate prices from various retailers, helping you identify the lowest price for a specific product.

Popular Price Comparison Tools:

Google Shopping: Google’s shopping search engine lets you compare prices from different retailers quickly.
PriceGrabber: This website provides comparisons for a wide range of products.
Shopzilla: Another well-known tool for comparing prices across different online retailers.
Honey: This browser extension automatically finds the best prices and even applies the best coupon codes at checkout.

By utilizing these comparison tools, you can be sure that you’re not overpaying for your purchases.

2. Look for Coupons and Promo Codes

Before hitting the checkout button, always search for online coupons and promo codes that can help you save money. These codes can provide discounts, free shipping, or even freebies with your purchase.

Where to Find Coupons:

Honey: This browser extension automatically finds and applies promo codes for you during checkout.
RetailMeNot: A popular website that offers a collection of discount codes for various online stores.
Coupon websites: Sites like Coupons.com, Groupon, and SlickDeals often have updated promo codes that can save you money on your purchase.
Email Newsletters: Many retailers offer exclusive coupons or discounts to those who sign up for their newsletters.

Tip: Make sure to check the expiration dates and terms of the coupon codes before using them.

3. Sign Up for Store Loyalty Programs

Many online retailers offer loyalty programs where you can earn points for each purchase. These points often translate into discounts or free items down the line. Signing up for these programs is usually free and can help you save big in the long run.

Examples of Popular Loyalty Programs:

Amazon Prime: Offers exclusive discounts, free shipping, and early access to sales events.
Sephora Beauty Insider: Get rewards points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for discounts or free products.
Target Circle: Offers personalized deals, a birthday gift, and even 1% back on every purchase you make.

Tip: Even if you don’t shop at a store frequently, joining its loyalty program can still help you earn rewards on the occasional purchase.

4. Wait for Sales and Seasonal Promotions

If your purchase isn’t urgent, waiting for seasonal sales can be a game-changer. Online retailers often offer significant discounts during sales events, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day.

Key Sales Events to Keep in Mind:

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: These annual sales offer some of the best discounts of the year on tech, clothing, home goods, and more.
End-of-Season Sales: Retailers often offer deep discounts to clear out inventory at the end of a season.
Holiday Sales: Major holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Labor Day often come with special promotions and discounts.

Tip: Create a list of items you want to buy and monitor them regularly so you can pounce on a great deal when the sale arrives.

5. Take Advantage of Flash Sales

Flash sales are limited-time promotions offering steep discounts. These sales typically last for a few hours to a day and can offer great savings on specific items or categories.

Where to Find Flash Sales:

Amazon Lightning Deals: Amazon offers hourly flash sales on a variety of products through its Lightning Deals section.
Best Buy: Best Buy often hosts flash sales with discounts on electronics, appliances, and more.
Retailer Websites: Many major online stores host their own flash sales, especially during holiday seasons.

Tip: Flash sales often require quick decision-making, so be prepared to act fast when you see a deal that interests you.

6. Use Cashback Apps and Websites

Cashback apps and websites allow you to earn a percentage of your purchase back when you buy through their platform. This can provide additional savings on top of any discounts or coupons you use.

Popular Cashback Platforms:

Rakuten (formerly Ebates): Earn cashback on your purchases when you shop through Rakuten’s affiliate links.
TopCashback: Another popular cashback website that offers competitive rates on a wide range of retailers.
Ibotta: An app that provides cashback for both online and in-store purchases.

Tip: Before purchasing, check if the retailer you’re shopping from is listed on any cashback platforms to ensure you’re maximizing your savings.

7. Set Up Price Alerts

If you’re eyeing a particular product, setting up price alerts is a great way to ensure that you buy it when the price drops. Many price tracking websites and tools allow you to set alerts that notify you when the price falls below a certain threshold.

Tools for Price Alerts:

CamelCamelCamel: A website that tracks Amazon prices and notifies you when a product hits your desired price.
Honey’s Droplist: Allows you to track prices on specific items from your favorite stores and receive alerts when the price drops.
Google Shopping: You can set up alerts for specific items, and Google will notify you when they go on sale.

Tip: Price alerts are especially useful for high-ticket items like electronics or appliances, where a significant price drop can lead to substantial savings.

8. Consider Refurbished or Open-Box Items

Refurbished and open-box items are a great way to save money on products that are often as good as new. These items have been returned, repaired, or refurbished, but they can often be found at a significant discount.

Where to Find Refurbished and Open-Box Deals:

Amazon Renewed: A section on Amazon that sells refurbished and pre-owned electronics with warranties.
Best Buy: Offers open-box items and refurbished products at discounted prices.
Apple Refurbished Store: Apple’s official refurbished store offers certified pre-owned products with a warranty.

Tip: Check the return policy and warranty on refurbished items to ensure you’re covered in case the product doesn’t work as expected.

9. Follow Retailers on Social Media

Many retailers use social media platforms to announce flash sales, exclusive discounts, and promotions. By following your favorite brands on social media, you can stay up to date with the latest offers.

Social Media Platforms to Monitor:

Instagram: Brands often post special promotions and giveaway contests on Instagram.
Facebook: Retailers share limited-time offers and sales events on their Facebook pages.
Twitter: Twitter is another platform where many brands announce surprise sales and exclusive codes.

Tip: Turn on notifications for your favorite stores to receive real-time updates about discounts and sales events.

10. Take Advantage of Free Shipping

Shipping fees can quickly add up, turning a good deal into a not-so-great one. Many online stores offer free shipping, but you may need to meet certain conditions (e.g., minimum purchase, membership).

How to Get Free Shipping:

Sign Up for Memberships: Services like Amazon Prime offer free shipping with a paid membership.
Check for Free Shipping Promos: Some stores offer free shipping during special sales events or promotions.
Buy in Bulk: Some stores waive shipping fees for orders over a certain amount, so consider buying in bulk or pooling orders with family and friends.

Tip: Be sure to calculate whether the item you’re buying at a discounted price is still cheaper than buying it from a store with a free shipping offer.

11. Use Student, Military, or Senior Discounts

Many online retailers offer discounts for students, military members, and seniors. If you fall into one of these categories, be sure to take advantage of these offers for extra savings.

Where to Find These Discounts:

Student Discounts: Websites like UNiDAYS or Student Beans provide student discounts for various brands and online retailers.
Military Discounts: Many retailers, including major chains, offer military discounts. Always ask before purchasing.
Senior Discounts: Websites like AARP often provide exclusive deals for seniors.

Tip: Verify eligibility and check for applicable terms before using these discounts.

12. Use Shopping Apps for Exclusive Deals

Many online stores have their own apps, and they often offer exclusive discounts for users who shop through the app. These discounts may include special offers, early access to sales, or app-only promo codes.

Popular Shopping Apps:

Amazon App: Often provides app-exclusive discounts and deals.
Target App: Offers personalized coupons and discounts for app users.
Walmart App: Features exclusive online-only deals and app-specific discounts.

Tip: Install the apps of your favorite retailers to access these exclusive savings.

13. Buy Off-Season

If you’re not in a rush, consider purchasing items during the off-season. Buying products like winter clothes, holiday decorations, or outdoor furniture in the off-season can save you a lot of money.

Examples of Off-Season Purchases:

Winter Clothes: Shop for winter gear during the spring or summer months.
Holiday Decorations: Buy Christmas decorations right after the holiday season ends.
Outdoor Furniture: Purchase outdoor furniture at the end of summer or during the fall.

Tip: Off-season shopping can help you secure deep discounts on products you’ll need the following year.

14. Stack Discounts and Coupons

In some cases, you can stack multiple discounts or coupons for even bigger savings. This could include applying a promo code along with any cashback offers, free shipping, or loyalty points.

Tip: Always check the terms of the discounts and coupons to see if they can be combined.

15. Abandon Your Cart (With Caution)

If you’re not in a rush, try abandoning your shopping cart. Some online stores will send you an email with a special discount to encourage you to complete your purchase.

Tip: Be careful not to overdo this, as it may not always work. Use it selectively for items you’re genuinely interested in purchasing.

Conclusion

Shopping online can be a fun and cost-effective way to purchase the things you need. By using these 15 money-saving tips, you can ensure that your online shopping experience is both enjoyable and budget-friendly. From using price comparison tools to waiting for the right sale, there are plenty of ways to maximize your savings and get the best deal possible. Happy shopping!

How to Save Big While Shopping Online: 15 Money-Saving Tips