According to Statista, in 2021, over 2.14 billion people worldwide are expected to buy goods and services online, up from 1.66 billion global digital buyers in 2016. This whopping number goes to show how online shopping has become more than just a trend. It is now a lifestyle; a hobby — and it’s easy to see why. Online shopping is very convenient!
Nowadays, you can find everything you want within your fingertips. A cute dress? Check. An office chair? Check. A gift for mom? Check. Sky’s the limit when you’re searching and buying items online. More so, online shopping gives you a wider range of prices. You can find a treasure trove of cheaper items from the same brand and the same quality on the internet!
If you’re a wise shopper, you can purchase great finds in a jiffy. You don’t have to get dressed, go out, and find yourself at the end of long waiting lines by the cashier. With the advent of technology, you can easily purchase your needs at home, while you’re in your pajamas. Now, you only have to wait for that cardboard box to show up at your front door.
See, with all the amazing benefits of online shopping, one can easily get addicted to it. Hardcore online shoppers understand the dilemma of fighting the urge to buy out of impulse. They’re so vulnerable to adding items in their carts, and ultimately, put a dent in their pockets.
Since people are shopping online more often, online merchants have strategized with creative ways to score big with shoppers. That’s why we keep on advising shoppers to be level-headed as they buy online because online shopping isn’t just about adding to cart and waiting for that package. You need to remember that every purchase entails money. If you keep on buying items out of impulse, you’ll likely end up being broke.
But if you’re a smart deal hunter, you can surely hoard your favorite items online while also saving tons of bucks!
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Let me share with you some secrets from our wise online shoppers. You can learn from these clever tips and apply them on your next online order:
1: Wait a little longer
Adding to the cart doesn’t cause damage, but clicking on the Complete My Order button is. Wait a little longer before completing your purchase, especially if the item is more like a ‘craving’ than a ‘need’.
Leave it at your cart for a couple of days. This gives you time to deliberate if it’s worth buying or not. Also, you may get an extra email discount offer from the seller too. Once these retailers see that you need an extra push to complete the transaction, they’ll sweeten the deal. It’s for this reason why it’s bestto sign up for an email newsletter from the online merchants too.
2: Look for digital coupons
Digital coupons can be usually found in a retailer’s email offers, at the website, or after some quick Google search. Hunt them like gold! There are even sites like Raise https://www.raise.com/coupons/target that compile (and, most importantly, check and verify) the coupons and codes that are currently available for a range of top retailers online, including Target, so you may not have to look far to find a great deal. Some retailers let you combine two coupons for every purchase. This gives you more opportunities to trim down your cost.
Some examples include About you voucher and Sephora promo code. Check them out and see for yourself the difference these discount vouchers can make!
3: Sign up for loyalty reward programs
If you shop frequently on a particular website, it’s best to show your loyalty by signing up for their loyalty reward programs. Retailers will reward their loyal patrons with exciting discounts or gifts. Some sites, like EveryMarket would even make use of reward points you can use for your next few purchases.
But don’t get too overwhelmed about these reward programs. Don’t buy stuff just to build up points. And more importantly, don’t sign up for credit cards, even if they’re enticing you with some accompanying rewards.
4: Follow them on social media
Most retailers have websites and social media accounts. Instead of constantly browsing their web page, you can also stalk them on social media where they would usually give announcements to the masses.
They’ll ping you with some sales alerts, coupons, and goodies from hitting the “Like” or “Follow” buttons on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Just for as long as you don’t mind the merchant showing on your feed, you can easily keep track of their whereabouts and get first dibs on their latest news and offerings.
5: Ship your items at once
Imagine the amount of shipping charges you’ll have to pay from buying items individually. So, make a list of all the items you would want to buy from the online shop. Then, order them all at once.
And if you’re not in a hurry to get that Gucci bag, you don’t have to pay extra for a fast-track shipping option. Be patient and wait for it to be delivered within days instead.
The Takeaway
Online shopping doesn’t have to be catastrophic to your financial resources. It should be convenient, fun, and efficient, not money-draining and anxiety-provoking. Thus, begin trimming your online shopping expenses by having a strict budget, hunting for great deals, and developing a sense of discipline in the face of crazy shopping. Those small savings add up, and you can use that money to fund your vacation or pay off debt!
What about you? What tips can you add to the list? We’d love to know in the comments section below.
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