Cheap online deals are everywhere, but we don’t always know how to get them. Browser plug-ins, using spelling mistakes to your advantage and browsing products without buying immediately are all ways you can save money. Here they are, explained.
Browser plug-ins
These little magic buttons are the future of cheap online shopping. They work behind the scenes while you browse to your heart’s content, always searching the web to find you the best deals possible. Here are two of our favourites:
Honey
This plug-in will stay schtum until you come to check out online. At this point, it will hunt for vouchers and apply the ones you can use to save money. That means you walk away with the best price without having to do any of the groundwork yourself.
The plug-in is completely free and works on most major browsers (Chrome, Safari, Explorer, Firefox and Opera). So, even if it doesn’t find you a deal for every purchase, it’s worth installing for those times when you can make a saving! Read this Buzzfeed article to see what all the fuss is about.
Invisible Hand
If you’d prefer a plug-in that compares prices from different sites, Invisible Hand could be the perfect solution. Whether you’re booking flights, buying an item or hiring a rental car, you’ll be notified if the plug-in finds a better deal elsewhere. As the name suggests, the plug-in is very discreet, only popping up when it finds a price that beats the one you’re currently looking at.
This plug-in is also free and compatible with Chrome, Safari and Firefox. Why not give it a try?
Read more: Money Stressbuster – Why You Should Cancel All Your Subscription Costs
Money-savvy sites
Fat Fingers
While technically not a plug-in, this site is made for those who can’t think of anything better than an eBay bargain. Fat Fingers works by collating all the related keywords to the one you’re looking for. It uses the search terms with typing errors and matches those up with the listings with typing errors, showing you a set of results that may otherwise be overlooked.
All you have to do is type in the product you’re looking for, hit find and then ‘click to view on eBay’. The site will then open the eBay search in another tab with all the listings that may otherwise fly under the radar.
What’s great about this is that you could end up bagging a bargain that nobody else has seen due to the incorrect spellings within the listing. We typed in ‘Yankee Candle’, and these were the results.
Hot UK Deals
This site works to pull together all the online and in-store offers submitted by users. People can then rate the deal based on validity, how easy it was to use etc. There are sections on the site for deals, voucher codes and even freebies. The listings are updated as and when they’re posted, so it’s worth keeping an eye on this throughout the day. There’s also a search function if there’s something you’re looking for in particular.
Reel in the retailers
This trick is like the virtual version of haggling. If you’re planning on buying something (and it’s unlikely to sell out soon) put it in your basket and leave it there overnight. Retailers will recognise that the item has been there for an extended period and will often send you a discount voucher to entice you to buy. Always ensure you’re logged in. Otherwise, the retailer won’t know who you are!
Good Vibes tip – Always read your emails from retailers. If they’re offering you a discount, they’ll usually state it in the email subject. However, this isn’t always the case! It’s easy to get into the habit of deleting all your ‘junk’ mail, but you could be throwing away some great deals.
Related: Where’s The Best Place To Sell Your Second-Hand Stuff Online?
Loyalty goes a long way
We’ve already told you about the money you can gain from having a loyalty card, but now retailers are offering online rewards for your continued custom.
If you regularly buy from ASOS, you’re probably already one of their A-list customers. This club entitles you to up to 20% off on your birthday, exclusive access to the sale before the general public and double or triple points days. Points make prizes, so with every 500 cleared points, you’ll get a £5 gift voucher to spend within six months. These can be used with other offers, coupons and discounts, so you can make substantial savings here!
Marks and Spencer also have a reward scheme called Sparks. They send you new offers every Thursday, ranging from money off food to clothing, shoes and accessories discounts. As your points add up, you unlock other privileges such as priority access to sales and events. You can also choose a charity for M&S to donate to on your behalf. So far they’ve raised over £3.8 million!
Visit our Life Hacks section for more super shopping tips. Here’s to you finding some cheap online deals!
