shopping

We’re officially all moved in to our first house, and the only problem we’ve encountered so far is controlling my intense desire to shop. I really want to make it feel like home, so there are a few things I’d like to purchase or update. Since I’ve been budgeting for this for quite some time now (thank you, BudgetSimple!), I have a little bit of wiggle room with my spending. We’ve clearly upgraded from our first apartment, and we plan on staying here for a little while, so I want to invest in items that will stand the test of time, both physically and stylistically. I also have a very specific tone in mind when it comes to home decor and design. To make everything appear exactly the way I’m thinking, I’ve started to scour the internet for the perfect pieces. Since I’m on a mission to furnish our new space in a more “grown-up” fashion while not spending a fortune, I’ve come up with a list of tips and tricks for saving more on online purchases. Check them out and keep some of them in mind the next time you’re adding things to your virtual shopping cart!

• Search for coupon codes. I feel like “Bed Bath & Beyond coupon” is permanently printed in my search bar as of late. Whether it’s for a percentage off of your total or free shipping, you can almost always find a code for whatever store you’re shopping at.

• Buy refurbished. We generally take this route for electronics. We’ve done it with computers, tablets, phones, and televisions. Manufacturers offer this option with a guarantee that the previously returned items have met their standards and are suitable for purchase. Good as new, but a fraction of the price!

• Be on the lookout for free shipping. Sometimes retailers will offer free shipping on specific items or within a certain department, or they’ll offer it if you spend a minimum dollar amount. Either way, it might be a good idea to add items to your cart, but wait to purchase them until a free shipping offer comes your way. I’ve even received deals from some stores for doing this as an incentive to purchase the items I’ve been eyeing up.

• Use a subscription service for frequently purchases items. This tends to apply more to household supplies. If you find yourself constantly running to the store for things like detergent, shampoo, etc., then it might be worthwhile to sign up for a subscription service (through places like Amazon.com). You’ll get a great discount for ordering on the regular, and you’ll save yourself time and money by not having to drive to the store quite as often.

• Wait for a sale. I get enough flyers and emails from stores where I’ve made purchases to know that just about anything will go on sale at some point in time. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of patience. Stores will often offer discounts on items right before a season starts (think grills and patio furniture in early spring) or at the end of the season (look for steep discounts on these same items as winter approaches, as stores will begin emptying their shelves to make room for new seasonal products).

• Check for an outlet store. A lot of big-name stores have an outlet version, whether it’s a brick-and-mortar location or a particular section of their website. You can often snag markdowns on last year’s models of furniture or housewares, or discounted scratch-and-dent items for a steal.

• Price matching. This one doesn’t always work, but it’s worth a shot. Some retailers will match competitor pricing, whether you find your numbers at another store or online. It doesn’t hurt to ask if they can do better for you!

Do you prefer shopping online or in-store? What do you do to save the most money?