Smart Ways to Find & Save With Promo Codes, Online Deals, and Coupons

Thanks to all these talk of tariffs, there is a very good chance that we may see the prices of many goods and services get even higher. When we place this side by side the fact that there may not be any increase in wages any time soon, it means that one has to find smart ways to save money as much as they can while shopping online.

One way of doing this is to use coupons and promo codes to get a discount when buying a product. Buyers can also use referral codes and affiliate links, especially when signing up to a service, to get a reduction in price.

Another way to save money online is to be on the lookout for brands that have various deals and sales events going on. Want to know more? Then read on for tips on how to maximize savings online as well as common mistakes to avoid.

What Are Promo Codes, Coupons, Online Deals, and How Do They Work?

Promo Codes

One way to save money when shopping online is to look for and use promo codes when paying for an item or a service. “What are promo codes?” one might ask. Well, promo codes are a string of alpha-numeric characters that one can enter during checkout while shopping online so that they can get a discount.

For instance, an online fashion retailer can decide to release a code – SAVE20 – which customers can use to get a 20% discount on their orders. When a customer finishes their shopping and is on the checkout page, they can enter that code and their discount will be given to them. Promo codes often come with terms and conditions and also have an expiry date.

Coupons

Now, let’s talk coupons. Coupons are also similar to promo codes in that they can be applied during checkout by a customer to get a specific amount of discount. Example – 2% off coupon or $2 off coupon. They may or may not have a code attached, though, and they can be used both offline and online. This is the key difference between coupons and promo codes. The former can be used both online and offline while the latter is mostly used online.

Coupons also come with terms and conditions. For instance, a grocery store can hand out a 50% off Apples coupon. In such a situation, one cannot use that coupon to get a discount on carrots for instance.

Online Deals

Utilizing online deals is another way shoppers can save money. For instance, a brand can announce that they are offering free shipping to any customer whose order is worth a certain amount. In such a situation, the customer doesn’t have to look for or apply any codes. They automatically get to enjoy that benefit once their order reaches the specified threshold.

Now, mind you, it is not only online sellers that have got deals going on. Brick and mortar stores can also have their own deals. A local furniture shop can decide to offer free delivery to every customer who buys a set of couches.

Some of the benefits that come with coupons, promo codes, and online deals

Reduction in price to be paid for a product or service.
Free delivery/shipping.
Two products for the price of one.
Free gifts.
Increased warranty periods.
Free returns and exchanges etc.

Best Places to Find Working Promo Codes and Coupons

Coupon websites like RetailMeNot, Honey, Wanderful, Rakuten, Couponfollow, etc.
Websites like UniDays and Student Beans (for student’s only discounts).
Websites like military.com (for persons eligible for military discounts).
Newsletters of various brands and companies.
Social media accounts of various brands and companies.
Website of the brand that one wishes to patronize.

How to spot expired or fake coupon codes

Check the comments left by past users of the code on the coupon website.
Check the expiry date provided for the code.
Search online to confirm if the brand in question has such a promotion going on.

How to Apply Promo Codes and Maximize Discounts

So, you have searched one of the best coupon websites that we mentioned above and found a valid coupon. Now, what? Well, you need to apply the promo code/coupon to be able to enjoy your discount. The rule of thumb is that promo codes and coupons are generally to be redeemed during checkout. If it is at a physical store, you can hand the coupon to the store attendant and they will factor in your discount. For an online store, you just have to fill in the coupon in the box provided for it on the checkout page of the website and then click the apply button.

Step by Step Guide On How to Apply Discount Codes during Checkout

Visit the website of the company.
When you see something that you want to buy, add it to your cart by clicking the appropriate button.
When you are through shipping, look for the cart symbol and click on it.
A breakdown of all the items in your cart as well as their prices will be provided.
Click the button that says checkout.
On the checkout page, there will be an empty box with such words like promo code, coupon code or discount voucher.
Carefully type in or paste your code in the box and tap the apply button.
Your discount will be reflected on the spot. You can now go ahead and finish up the shopping process

Tips for Enhancing One’s Savings While Shopping Online

Stack codes: Some brands allow customers to stack coupon codes i.e. use two coupons in one order. So, check to see if the brand you are patronizing allows that. If they do, you can go ahead and apply two codes so as to increase your savings

Install web extensions like Honey, Rakuten, Ibotta, and Capital One Shopping: They make it easier for you to find and apply coupon codes. Some, like Ibotta and Rakuten also offer cash back to customers.

Combine offers: Some online retailers, even those who don’t allow the stacking of coupon codes, sometimes allow the combining of coupon codes and other offers such as store credit or gift cards. Therefore, those looking to save money can implement such to get even more discounts.

Smart Ways to Save Even More with Online Deals

Shop during sales events: Many brands often hold major sales events such as Black Friday sales, Winter Sale, Summer Sale etc. During such sales, they often reduce the prices of many of their products. Therefore, smart shoppers who want to save money when shopping online can target such sales events to do their shopping.
Join brand loyalty programs: When you join the loyalty or membership program of a company, you are likely to enjoy many benefits including discounts. Some brands even go as far as keeping track of your birthday and giving you a special offer when that day comes around.
Sign up to company newsletter or mailing list: Doing this ensures that you will be among the first to know when a company has a promotion going on.
Use a referral code to sign up: Many online retailers and software companies often run a refer-a-friend program. It means that they give discounts to new customers who join their fold using the referral code they got from a pal who is already a customer.
Utilize affiliate link: Affiliates market a company’s products and services in return for a commission. Normally, to attract new customers, affiliate links often bestow a discount on the person that uses it. Therefore, those that want to save money online should consider signing up to a service using an affiliate link.
Use price trackers: Apps such as CamelCamelCamel, Keepa, and Helium 10 can track the prices of goods on major e-commerce sites such as Amazon and alert customers once the price of an item they are interested in has dropped.
Free shipping: Some brands offer customers free shipping, particularly if the customer’s order is up to a certain amount. Smart shoppers who want to save money should keep that in mind.
Flash deals: These deals don’t last long, 24 hours or a few days, but they often come with significant discounts.
Clearance sale: Many online stores run clearance sales and the smart shopper hoping to save some money should start their shopping from that section.

Mistakes That Can Prevent Your Coupons From Working

Ensure that your order is up to the minimum spend requirements. If you fail to comply, the promo code will not work.
Be sure to use the coupon for the right product category. Don’t use a coupon that is only for shoes when you are buying handbags.
Don’t make any mistakes when writing the promo code as even the slightest of errors can invalidate it. To avoid this, just copy and paste the code directly.
Check to make sure that the promo code or coupon has not reached its expiry date. If it has expired, then don’t use it.
Don’t forget to factor in shipping fees when calculating. For instance, let’s say a brand is offering a 30% off coupon on an order worth at least $200. If your cart total is $170 and it is only a shipping fee of $30 that takes the entire amount to $200, then you are not eligible to enjoy that coupon yet. Your cart total must reach $200 without the shipping fee being factored in.

Best Times to Find the Biggest Deals

If you want to save a lot of money while shopping online, you also have to know when to shop i.e. the ideal time to shop to maximize your savings. Such times are:

Major sales events like black Friday and cyber Monday: Lots of brands often run generous promotions during such events. Therefore, those that want to save the most while shopping online should shop during those times.
Holiday periods like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year is also another good time to shop online as offers often abound then.
The onset of new seasons – Winter, Summer, Spring – is also another good time for online shopping as seasonal sales have become a regular adventure that many retailers embark on.
Back-to-School Period: The school resumption period is also another ideal time for online shopping, especially for those wanting to buy school accessories, as many retailers run back-to-school offers then.

Off-Season Shopping Strategies

The fact that Black Friday or Cyber Monday hasn’t come around, or has passed, doesn’t mean that online shoppers can’t get discounts anymore. They can still save money via other means.

Lookout for the anniversary of the brand or retailer as many of them offer limited time deals to celebrate such a day.
Use coupon codes and promo codes.
Take advantage of flash sales and clearance sales.
Be on the Lookout for relevant national/international day celebrations as the retailer may offer a short-time deal on such a day.

Recap: Expert Tips to Maximize Online Shopping Savings

Apply coupons/promo codes during checkout.
Take advantage of online deals such as free shipping.
Use referral codes/affiliate links when creating your account to enjoy a discount.
Shop during major sales events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Add browser extensions such as Rakuten, Honey, and Capital One Shopping to find coupons and deals and apply them during checkout.
Install price tracker apps like Keepa, Helium etc.
If you are a student, search websites like Unidays and Student Beans for brands offering special students discounts.
Members of the military, both active and retired, as well as their family members can also lookout for military discounts.
Sign up for the retailer’s newsletters or join their mailing list.
Join the company’s membership program.

Bonus Tips for Saving Money While Shopping Online

Contact the company support team: They may be able to offer you a price match or a special discount (for instance, if you are making a bulk purchase).

Check if you qualify for any special discounts: A good number of brands have special discounts for first responders, military personnel and even government personnel. So, if you fall into any of these categories, make sure to enquire to see if a brand has got something special for you.

Final Words

Couponing used to be a big deal back in the day. You had people scouring through the pages of local magazines, pennysavers/shoppers, and cutting out coupons so that they can use them next time they shop. Thankfully, things are easier these days and people don’t need to stress themselves much. They can just go online and browse websites that curate coupons and promo codes and use those coupons and promo codes.

They can also install some browser extensions and apps on their devices and the installed software will take care of the entire process and even bring them extra benefits such as cash back! So, being a smart shopper is now as easy as ABC.

FAQs

i) How do you get valid promo codes?

You can get valid promo codes from websites such as RetailMeNot, Wanderful, CouponFollow, Rakuten, etc. You can also get them from the newsletters of the brand in question as well as on their website.

ii) Are coupon websites safe to use?

Yes, they generally are. However, do look out for any warnings from your PC security software alerting you to the fact you are about to visit a harmful website. If you see such a warning, then leave the site immediately.

iii) What are the best browser extensions for saving money?

Rakuten, Honey, Ibotta, Keppa, and Capital One shopping are among the best browser extensions for those looking to save money while shopping online. These extensions will not only search for and find coupons for you. Some of them also have cash back offers.