Best Online Tools for Saving Money and Finding Deals:
In today’s economy, saving money isn’t just smart – it’s essential. Whether you’re shopping for groceries, textbooks, gas, or even cosmetics, there are countless online money-saving tools and discount shopping websites designed to help you compare prices, find deals, and keep more cash in your wallet.
In this post, I’ve rounded up some of the best shopping discount apps and other online resources for saving money while shopping, across multiple categories, so you can shop smarter and save faster.
This is a collaboration post. However, please know I stand behind everything written here, and only include links to products/services/resources I’m willing to recommend personally.
Your Guide to the Best Discount Online Shopping Websites and Apps:
General Online Saving Tools:
Whenever I do ANY shopping online, I always check two widgets before I check out: Rakuten (formerly Ebates) and BeFrugal. I’ve written a separate post about how to maximize your Rakuten cash back, but it’s worth signing up for both anyway; each one offers different discounts and partners with different brands. Especially with holiday shopping coming up, it’s worth checking both these sites before making ANY online purchases, so you can maximize your cash back.
Another hack I recommend before doing any online shopping is making a quick check online for whatever online shopping discount coupons you can find. I usually do this through a general web search for “promo code [+ name of company I’m going to shop at], but sometimes I just go straight to Coupon Cabin, which is often where I end up anyway. You may have to try a bunch of promo codes in order to find one that’s not expired, but it’s worth the little bit of time and effort.
And a final hack: If you haven’t already done this, make yourself a “junk” email account – then use it for all your company loyalty programs (so they don’t clutter up your usual inbox). Especially if you’re going to shop from a given company for the first time, go to their website and see if you can get a first-time discount by signing up for their emails (but give them the junk email address, so you can check that inbox whenever you want a coupon from them but DON’T have to see their messages the rest of the time).
Clothing
You definitely want to be on the promo code list for your fave online clothing retailers (see above), and use Rakuten and BeFrugal to save even more on your purchases from these companies. But these aren’t the only tips to use.
Did you know that you can save both money AND the planet by buying gently-used versions of your fave brands’ styles? Before I buy new clothing these days, I try to see if I can find a secondhand version of the item on my wishlist (say, a new color of a fave style of dress) for less. A great way to do this, if you have a particular brand and style in mind, is to check out ThredUp and Poshmark.
Groceries
Groceries are one of the easiest areas to overspend without realizing it. The Flipp app and ShopSavvy make it incredibly simple to track grocery prices across stores in your area. These apps gather flyers and deals, showing you where to find the cheapest groceries online or in-store.
If you’re serious about cutting your weekly food bill, these two apps are must-haves. But also make sure you’re enrolled in your local preferred supermarkets’ rewards program. These programs often offer perks like sale prices, cash back, and freebies like gas discounts and free Thanksgiving turkeys.
Textbooks
College students know the pain of overpriced textbooks. The best strategy is to buy used books whenever possible. BookScouter and BookFinder compare prices from dozens of sites to help you find the cheapest textbooks online. You can also sell your used books through these platforms to earn some extra cash back. And don’t forget to check out sites like Amazon and Ebay, too!
Gas
Fuel prices fluctuate daily, so finding the best deal can make a big difference over time. GasBuddy and Waze both show you real-time gas prices in your area. GasBuddy specializes in finding the cheapest gas near you. Waze, on the other hand, gives you access to real-time navigation and traffic alerts; regular use of this intel can help make your driving more efficient, thereby saving you gas on your drives.
Cosmetics
When it comes to makeup and skincare, prices can vary widely. CosmeticsList is great for comparing prices across different online beauty stores, ensuring you always get the cheapest cosmetics online. Meanwhile, SkinSort helps you find products suited to your skin type and budget – a perfect combo for saving smartly while shopping for beauty essentials.
Amazon Items
If you shop on Amazon frequently, CamelCamelCamel is a lifesaver. It tracks price histories and alerts you when items drop to their lowest cost. Before hitting “Add to Cart,” check CamelCamelCamel to make sure you’re paying the cheapest price available online.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be expensive, but comparison sites like HearingLife and Soundly can help you find affordable options. Both offer reviews, guides, and tools for identifying the cheapest hearing aids online without sacrificing quality or comfort.
Contact Lenses
Contacts are a recurring expense, so even small savings add up. Lenspricer and ContactsCompare both specialize in finding the cheapest contact lenses online, and ContactsCompare also lists coupon codes to help you save even more at checkout.
And don’t forget to check with your vision insurance program, if you have one. I save a bundle on Kimmie’s contacts through ContactFill, which has partnered with my husband’s vision insurance.
Electronics
From laptops to headphones, prices for electronics can swing dramatically between retailers. Use Google Shopping and Price.com to compare prices, read reviews, and find coupons. These platforms make it easy to snag the cheapest electronics online while avoiding fake deals.
And if you’re really in a pinch, don’t be afraid to purchase refurbished electronics with a warranty or money-back guarantee. Both Amazon and Ebay sell refurbished electronics, as do many other companies. Just read the fine print carefully before you click “complete purchase” so you know what your options are if things don’t work out.
Subscriptions
Monthly subscriptions can silently drain your wallet. Tools like Truebill and Trim automatically detect recurring charges and help you cancel or negotiate them. It’s the easiest way to take control of your budget and uncover hidden savings on unused services.
And as I’ve recommended elsewhere, it’s worth revisiting your regular expenses at least on an annual basis, if not every six months. I’m not afraid to switch our phone service, electric supplier, or insurance package if I can get a better deal from 30-60 minutes of calling around. And often, if you find a better deal somewhere else, you can use that as leverage with your current service provider to negotiate a lower rate.
Software
If you’re a small business owner, student, or freelancer, software can be another major cost. AppSumo features exclusive lifetime deals and discounts on premium tools, while AlternativeTo helps you discover cheap or free software alternatives. Together, they’re essential for anyone looking to cut costs without losing functionality.
Final Thoughts
Smart shopping is all about using the right tools. From comparing grocery prices to tracking Amazon discounts or trimming unwanted subscriptions, these websites can help make saving money almost effortless. Bookmark them, check them often, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can save.
With the right strategy and these resources in your toolkit, finding the cheapest prices online isn’t just possible – it’s guaranteed.
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