Especially for newlyweds attempting to begin their lives together on a budget, these practices can be game changers when shopping online
The convenience of online shopping is one that many people in the modern world enjoy almost daily. The ability to scroll through web pages filled with various products, services and items and hit the “add to cart” button right away has completely transformed our society’s buying behavior.
However, this 24/7 accessibility can also be a huge source of debt and financial instability for those even with the best intentions to save. That is why this article will outline several useful ways that people can stick to their budgets while shopping online. After all, no one said those with spending plans should not shop online, they may just need to do so with a few tips and tricks in mind.
3 Words: Research, Research, Research
Shopping online has removed all seller to buyer pressure that can sometimes exist in a physical retailer. Now that various companies and brands have a huge presence in the virtual world, potential customers are able to research what is of interest to them, spending as much time as they like reading expert reviews or testimonials from former buyers without the pressure to make a decision on the spot. And this goes for practically any range of interest in any product and industry.
For example, someone who is a sports fanatic and enjoys betting on important game outcomes from their favorite football franchises may check out the wealth of sportsbook providers that are opening up online throughout the U.S. However, before deciding on one, they can research by reading overviews of their offerings. This can be seen in the FanDuel sportsbook review which connects potential customers to the pros and cons of the service.
In this way, reviews are useful tools for cost-effective shopping because they allow the potential customer to see up front what they will be paying for, making it easier for them to understand a product’s quality before making an electronic transaction or potentially wasting money on a service that was not useful for them.
Use the 24-Hour Rule
Speaking of taking the pressure off of decision-making while shopping, another useful tip to save money while shopping online is something called the “24-Hour Rule.” As its name suggests, this strategy relies on the buyer waiting at least one full day before making a decision to purchase an item, service, or product in the virtual environment. This rule has two major benefits for those on a budget. Number one being that it reduces the need to make “impulse” purchases or those which are done completely on a whim without much thought or research.
Secondly, deploying the 24-Hour rule can often result in brands sending email messages filled with discounts straight to your inbox. For example, all you have to do is keep the product in your online shopping cart and then log out of the account thus “abandoning” your cart on the merchant’s website. It is common practice for various retail brands to send coupons via email a day or two after they see you have made no action on their items.
When a customer knows how to use the virtual shopping cart to their advantage, receiving discounts will become second nature
Ask Yourself: What Day Is It Today?
Believe it or not, your calendar can be an extremely useful tool for saving money when shopping online. Although it can be tempting to go on a buying spree from the comfort of your own home on a rainy weekend afternoon, waiting until Wednesday or Thursday may be beneficial for your wallet. This is because many online stores tend to have discounts during the mid-week rather than on Saturdays and Sundays. This is especially true for buying airline tickets.
Another thing to consider is holidays. For example, Cyber Monday actually has better deals than the famous Black Friday that takes place on the eve of Thanksgiving Day. Other special calendar days like Mother’s Day, Easter, and Memorial Day also tend to have their fair share of discounts online.
Organize Your Inbox
Often times people forget that when shopping online, a brand’s site will ask them to sign up for promotional lists or newsletters in order to continue browsing. These emails tend to get lost in a pool of other subscribers, but what shoppers do not realize is that sometimes they can contain real money-saving treasures.
Try organizing your inbox by brand, dividing those messages which contain valuable coupons and discounts and those which, on the other hand, you will most likely never use. Take it one step further by unsubscribing from sites who no longer serve a purpose to your shopping needs.
