Ouch – paying top dollar for anything hurts! Thankfully, in the age of the internet, there’s almost always a way to never pay full price for anything online. Free vouchers, online discounts and promo codes have become essential for people looking to save money when buying clothes, gadgets and even food. Whether you’re saving up for a holiday and don’t want to spend money on expensive travel packages, or you just want to snag a few items below retail price, there are countless ways you can cut the costs.
If you’re new to shopping online or simply want to learn some new tricks of the trade, it never hurts to brush up by reading up on how you can become a savvier shopper. By following the tips below, you’ll quickly become a pro at finding great deals and goodies for less than everyone else.
Comparison shop online
Shopping online is the best – you can browse, compare, and compare again without ever leaving your house. You’ll find that many items have significantly lower prices online than they do in stores. If you’re already shopping online, this will be easy—just head over to Google and type in the name of the item. If several options are listed, start clicking around until you find one that seems reasonable (and then go back and compare).
And, of course, there’s no shortage of price comparison websites and apps that make it even easier to find the best prices around. Depending on what you’re looking for, chances are there’s a price comparison website or app specific to it: Groceries? Try Frugl. Health Insurance? Compare Club has you covered. Books, DVDs, Toys: Check out Booko. Or try Getprice for a wide range of products.
Hot tip: Even if you’re not ready to purchase something, it doesn’t hurt to start accumulating some of your favourite items so that when you are shopping for a birthday or Christmas presents, you’ll know where to get the best deal (and more importantly, where NOT to get the best deal).
Timing is everything
Never pay full price for anything by playing the waiting game. Don’t rush in to buy a product full-price just because it looks good in the heat of the moment—wait until it inevitably goes down in price, or until another similar option becomes available. The longer you wait, the more likely you will save money.
Instead of just buying whatever item looks good at full price, savvy internet shoppers wait for sales and deals. Even if you don’t buy something when it’s on sale, you can wait for it to go back down in price again—so it pays to wait! Keep an eye out for clearance and end of season sales so you buy cheaper now for later.
Hot tip: Boxing Day has been a huge sale day in Australia for years. But with the introduction of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, they are now considered to be the two biggest shopping days of the year. Make note of Friday, 26 November to enjoy big discounts just in time for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas – don’t wait around to buy everything during the festive season. Make the most of midyear sales for buying Christmas pressies early (just remember to find a good hiding place!).
Sign up to email lists
One of the easiest ways to get discounts is by signing up for the stores’ mailing lists that interest you. You might get coupons, or other exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox. Many online retailers offer discounts on their products throughout the year—especially during holidays like Black Friday or Cyber Monday—so be sure to check these sites as well before making any purchases!
Want to be the first to hear about the latest deals and coupons in Australia? Sign up for Shopa Docket Deals straight to your inbox. You’ll get the chance to buy everyday items and bulk buys at a lower price.
Hot tip: If you’re a first-time shopper, most companies will offer you a coupon for 10% off just for joining their mailing list. Look out for the sign-up pop-ups when you visit their website!
Use coupon websites and apps
There are often coupons and discount codes available for everything from food to clothes—just search online for them! Thanks to the world wide web and the power of savvy searching, finding coupons has never been easier. The best thing about these discount vouchers is that they are available for an almost infinite number of products, services and events. Bookmark your fave coupon websites because they’ll be key to you never paying full price for anything!
No matter the product or service you need, you can find a coupon or promo code to save some serious cash. You just have to know where to look. If you’re looking for online coupons in Australia all in one place, dedicated coupon websites such as Shopa Docket are committed to helping Australians save money through exclusive offers.
Sign up for loyalty programs, but be picky
Loyalty programs are an easy way to get discounts on your favourite brands and stores —but they’re not all created equal. Some are easy to sign up for, but the benefits aren’t worth it. Others require a lot of effort to get the most bang for your buck. The key is to find one that works for you and stick with it! Here are a few reasons why loyalty programs could be worth your while:
You get points for every dollar you spend, which can add up quickly.
You get special offers and discounts just for being a member of the program, which is totally worth the few seconds it takes to sign up.
They’re easy to use on the go! Just download their app, and boom—you’re ready to shop and save with the touch of a button.
Whether it’s a new pair of shoes or a trip around the world, there are plenty of ways to get what you want at a fraction of the cost and never pay full price for anything. Don’t forget: the more you stand to save, the more likely you will be to keep learning about these options and begin utilising them to your advantage. The internet is an amazing place for saving, whether you’re shopping for something big or small—so take advantage of it!
