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Shopping online can be a great way of cutting your expenses, especially when you’re adjusting to lower income, or want to take greater control of your spending.
With a simple swipe, tap or click, you can have access to an entire world of retail splendour, with real savings to be found and the perfect item potentially within one Google search.
However, it's easy to get carried away, especially if you’ve got more free time to browse online – so you might need a raft of smart strategies to help you spot where you can actually save money.
So whether you’re a smart shopper already or new to the game and want to feel safe online, it’s entirely possible to keep your budget in check...while not giving up on a little fun with a trip to the high street.
Thanks to special offers, pop-up ads and smart marketing, you might find it hard to stay on track - so before you click buy, take a moment and look at what you're about to spend on – is it really an essential purchase or... is it just being made out of habit?
Of course, we all enjoy a little retail therapy, but make sure it’s something you’ll actually use or wear on a regular basis. Unsure if something is worth the cost? Just take a moment.
There’s no harm in pausing and coming back to your basket at a later date, perhaps having done some research – if you still feel like it’s a necessary purchase, then you can feel more confident in your choices.
It’s hard to make a decision online – especially for big purchases such as a shed or sofa - without seeing the goods. So if you spot something you like in the shops, always check if it’s cheaper using your smartphone.
“Lots of websites run frequent discounts which aren’t available [on the high street]. It’s always worth trying clothes on in store, for example, but before you head to the tills, quickly check whether ordering the item online will save you money,” says personal stylist Lindsay Edwards.
Search using the product name or model number to find a match, but make sure you’re getting exactly the same size and specification.
“When you’re looking to buy a big-ticket item, always do your research first by checking price comparison sites like PriceRunner, which not only show current prices at multiple retailers but also reveals a product’s pricing history,” adds Which? Head of Home Products and Services, Natalie Hitchins.
“Try Googling the name of the site you're buying from with the words 'discount code' and more often than not you'll find several websites claiming to offer codes that will save you a hefty wedge with your chosen retailer.”
However, don’t always rely on price comparison sites to find your choice at its cheapest – check a few of the big sites directly as things can change rapidly.
“Compare prices across different retailers before you click to buy. Online retailers frequently change their pricing, with some using sophisticated methods to ensure they're always cheaper than their competitors,” Hitchins adds.
One of the easiest things to do is overspend in the supermarket – the layout of the aisles is designed to entice you into spending a little extra here and there... and before you know it, you’re paying out hundreds of pounds more a year than is necessary.
A smarter way to shop is to do it online – giving you the space to write a complete list, then search for the things you need, one by one.
In doing so, you’ll be able to watch the total going up as you spend (making it easier to budget) but you’ll avoid other potentials... such as heading to the supermarket on an empty stomach.
Be wary of other tactics too – when buying groceries online you’ll need to have an account, and the shop will therefore know the things you like to buy the most.
Before checking out, you might be offered a raft of products that you’ve ‘forgotten’ based on what you’ll be most likely to grab on impulse - if they’re not on your list, don’t be tempted.
If you feel like having your groceries delivered will rob you of a pleasant chance to get out of the house and do some other errands as well, you can arrange to ‘click and collect’ your shopping, so it’ll be waiting for you at a timeslot you choose.
Signing up to sites such as Wowcher will give you offers straight to your inbox, but always check the small print for delivery charges – and compare prices on other sites too, as it might not always be a great deal.
Only use sites like this to search for things or experiences you’re already looking to buy, as otherwise you may be cajoled into things you don’t really need.
Similarly, HotUKDeals is a great place to find bargains posted by community members – but always have a clear idea of what you’re looking for, so you don’t get distracted.
If you have expensive tastes, industry insider Kayleigh Fazan from The International Retail Academy says: “There are some excellent websites to find top luxury brands at heavily discounted prices.
“HEWI (Hardly Ever Worn It) and Luxe Collective offer designer brands - and some have a digital voucher available when you sign up, so you can save even more on your first purchase.”
Fazan has another simple tip for keeping your costs down: “Head to the website’s clearance or sale section, then filter the results by ‘lowest priced item first’.”
Online sales can cause a frenzy, but are those bargains too good to be true? “It can be tempting to impulse buy, but the deals often aren’t as good as they seem,” says Hitchins.
“Prices fluctuate throughout the year and discounts certainly aren’t limited to big sale dates like Black Friday, so don’t feel panicked into buying things you don’t need or haven’t budgeted for.
“Some products follow a predictable seasonal pattern that means you're more likely to pick up a bargain at certain times of year than others. For example, new TV models are usually launched between April and July.
“When a model has just been released it'll be at its most expensive – but if you wait until later in the year, the hype will have died down along with the prices.
“Or you could even wait until the new lines are released and pick up a model from the previous year for a knock-down price.”
When you see prices slashed, it’s tempting to fill up your online basket, but Fazan recommends waiting before you check out.
“Retailers - both on and offline - start sales modestly with 10-30% off, knowing that people will start buying.
“But then two to three weeks later more attractive discounts are applied, with up to 70% off, so you can buy excellent products at a fraction of the original price.”
However, if you do wait, the item may well go out of stock, so waiting could mean you’ve missed out entirely.
It’s good to have an idea of your budget when planning a purchase. Use online research to get a good idea of how much you'd like to pay - if you see it slide below that number, feel confident in making the decision.
Retailers don’t need much of an excuse to launch an offer: sign up to newsletters and you’ll soon see discounts because it’s payday, Blue Monday, Pancake Day… you get the picture.
“If you’ve not ordered from a brand online before, you’ll typically receive a 10% off voucher just by signing up to their newsletter,” says Edwards.
“They’ll [then] run offers throughout the year, typically around bank holidays, celebrations and events.”
Hitchins points out that being organised is key. “You can always unsubscribe once you've got the code and made your purchase, or set up an email account or folder specifically for promotional emails that you don't particularly want to read.
“Consider following your favourite brands on social media channels so that you're the first to find out when they're launching new sales – there might also be competitions you can enter to win free things too.”
The planet has enough ‘stuff’ and buying used goods is a great way to save money too. Take advantage of eBay’s ‘Watch’ button to get an idea of prices, then haggle by making an offer (if the seller has that option listed).
Another popular app for getting good second-hand clothes is Vinted. If you ‘favourite’ an item, you might get it offered for cheaper if you wait – or you can get chatting with the seller to put in a lower bid.
If it’s technology you’re after, the thought of buying second hand might not fill you with glee – but there is a smart way you can do it.
Looking for refurbished items, where they’ve been tested and restored by experts, can give some incredible savings and get you cutting-edge tech for a lot less than new.
Head to places like BackMarket or Amazon Warehouse to see what savings can be found. You might need to root around a little bit to find what you want, but there’s far more choice than you might expect.
Don’t forget online charity shops such as Oxfam for clothes, books and collectibles and British Heart Foundation for furniture if you're looking for decent discounts too.
When it comes to buying clothes online, Edwards recommends “shopping” in your own wardrobe.
“I’d be willing to bet that there are lots of items lurking in there that you’ve completely forgotten you own,” she says. “Maybe some still have the original tags intact and are just begging to be worn.
“Combine them in a new way, experiment and make simple tweaks such as swapping buttons on cardigans, blazers and coats. You’ll be amazed at how many new outfits you’ll create, none of which have cost you a penny.”
If you find a few things that you’ve not worn and, on reflection, never are going to, you can easily set up an account and sell them on sites like Vinted or eBay. Then use the proceeds to fund a complete change of look.
If you’re not already using sites such as Topcashback or Quidco, you could be missing out on earning money back every time you shop online.
These companies take commission from big brands such as Boots, Argos and Amazon and pass on a portion to you as a reward.
Retail specialist and savvy shopper Polly Arrowsmith always checks if a retailer is on cashback sites before buying anything.
“Without trying, I have made £870 back in less than two years on purchases of food, supplements, clothes, theatre, and toiletries. Put the retailer's name into the search box of the cashback site, see if there is an offer, and click through,” she says.
Make sure you look for cashback offers after you’ve found the best price though. If you check their deals first, it could entice you to buy something you don’t need, or actually end up spending more overall to just get cashback by shopping with a more expensive retailer.
Always be wary if something looks too good to be true. For example, if an item you want is a lot cheaper than on other sites, there’s usually a reason it's offered at such a discount.
“Online marketplaces are filled with apparent bargains – on sale for a fraction of the price you'd expect to pay in a high-street store” says Hitchins from Which?.
“However, be wary of brands you haven't heard of, and especially if there doesn't appear to be any brand at all. Check the seller has a website and that it looks reputable, with a clear customer contact and returns policy.”
“Check customer reviews – particularly negative ones - to see if any buyers had issues."
Even then, although it might be tempting to take reassurance from swathes of positive customer reviews, be very wary of fakes.
“Our research has often found evidence of fake reviews on the sorts of unbranded items we're warning against – five-star reviews are a great way for an unknown seller or product to stand out,” added Hitchins.
You should be able to pay by card, Apple / Google Pay or PayPal if you’re shopping online, so if a seller requests a bank transfer, be very wary.
If possible, pay with a credit card if you’re spending between £100 and £30,000, as it’ll be protected under what’s called ‘Section 75 ‘of the Consumer Credit Act.
This means if you don’t receive the goods or the supplier hasn’t given you what asked for, you can raise a claim with your lender for a refund.
(Of course, if you’re using a credit card to shop, always remember to pay the balance off in full each month to avoid having to pay interest).
And once you’ve finished, always log out or sign out of the website, especially if you’re on a shared computer, so nobody can access your account or card details.
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