How to Save Money Shopping Online

Since I started blogging, I've had a few people ask me how we afford to decorate and do the updates in our home.  I have been a stay-at-home-mom since my first daughter was born (she is seven), so we have lived on a single income for a while now.  

I wanted to share with you today some ways to save money when shopping online.  These are things that can be implemented easily and they all really add up over time, freeing up some cash flow.

*Use Swagbucks

Swagbucks is an easy way to earn extra cash.  There are a few different ways to rack up Swagbucks, which can then be redeemed for gift cards to stores like Amazon, WalMart, and Target.  You can shop from their site, earning Swagbucks per dollar you spend at participating sites, search, participate in surveys and polls, play games, and watch videos.  Go check it out.  Click here to sign up or have a look around.  

*Use Ebates

Here again, this is an easy way to earn extra cash back on purchases. Ebates is a site where you get cash back for shopping at your favorite websites.  If you shop online a lot this would really benefit you. Most sites offer 3-6% cash back, but always check and see which sites are offering a higher percentage. That changes all the time, but you can really score some great deals.  Right now, Aeropostale is offering 20% cash back! T Mobile and Verizon are both offering between $37.50 and $95 cash back. Need to book a room for vacation?  Check Ebates to see how much cash back travel sites are offering. 

I never shop online without going through Ebates.  And I have received a few cash back checks.  You really should go check it out!

*Utilize the Target Red Card

I have a thing for Target.  The closest one to me is an hour away. I go every chance I get, and I take advantage of the coupons they offer as well the great prices and the 5% off you get just for using your Target Red Card. But since it is hard to get to the actual store, this makes the Red Card even sweeter.  

The Red Card is not a credit card. It is a debit card that you use only at Target and Target.com.  Each time you use it, you automatically get 5% off your entire purchase. Also, you get free shipping from Target.com and an extra 30 days for returns. 

So how do you make it really earn you extra cash? Open a tracking ticket through Ebates. (Right now through Ebates you get 2.5% cash back.)  Open a tracking ticket through Swagbucks. (Earn 2 Swagbucks per dollar.)  Then shop away.  Get your 5% off by using your Red Card plus free shipping.  You've saved close to  10% on your purchase!  

By the way, Target.com is having an awesome home sale right now!  Save up to 30% on home items and get a $10 gift card when you spend $50 on home goods. (Use promo code SAVE10).

A couple more things:
~Shop on sites like Overstock.com or Amazon to find great deals!  Both offer great incentives to shop their sites, like low shipping or free shipping or coupon codes. 

~Sign up for websites' emails.  I know that when you sign up on a lot of sites that you can get inundated by emails, but they often send out special coupon codes or percentages off that you can take advantage of.  I have a separate email account just for this.  That way I can better keep track of my personal emails and they don't get bogged down with all of the website emails. 

I hope this helped a little!  Do you have any more tips that you can add?  Leave a comment!


*Disclosure: Links to Swagbucks and Ebates are through referral program.