Online shopping is convenient, simple, and unfortunately, extremely expensive if you aren’t careful. That convenience and ease can quickly backfire, causing bad spending habits, like impulse buying, to rear their ugly heads.
But that doesn’t mean shopping online is bad, and there are many instances where you can get a much better deal than in person. However, it also means that you want to shop smarter, and we’re covering four ways for you to do just that.
Do Your Homework
Don’t just trust that one glowing review or the product description. Dig deeper—hunt down reviews on multiple sites and check out what people are saying on Reddit. If a product constantly gets slammed for breaking after a week, that’s a big red flag you’ll be grateful you saw flying when you did
You should also compare specs between brands. These details matter, especially if you’re buying something expensive or something with a lot of variables, like electronics. Do your homework about where you’re buying from, too. Customer service matters a lot when online shopping, so buying from not-so-friendly businesses isn’t recommended, no matter how cheap it is.
Set a Budget Before You Shop
Budget specifically for online shopping. Better yet, budget for this specific session of online shopping. Know what you’re willing to spend before you add anything to your cart, and you’ll be much less likely to add things you don’t need. Make sure you factor in shipping costs, taxes, and any customs fees if you’re buying from overseas.
It’s important to be honest with yourself, but also realistic about what you’re purchasing. For example, if your primary objective is to buy a new laptop, but you give yourself a $50 budget, you aren’t going to get far. The budget should reflect what you can reasonably buy that still has value. This prevents you from buying overly cheap things you’ll regret.
Check Return and Warranty Policies
This is a good tip for everyone, but those of you who love to review the virtual sale racks want to pay special attention here. Always read the fine print. Know how long you have to return the item (or if you can at all), if you’d have to pay return shipping, and if there’s anything covered under warranty.
Some stores are better about returns than others. Know that going into your shopping, because it can inform where you purchase certain items from.
Sleep On It
If you have a history of impulsively clicking the “add to cart” button and feeling pangs of regret when the item arrives a week later, there’s a simple solution. Add everything and anything you want to your cart, then walk away. You can add it to a wishlist, too, so you’re less inclined to buy it, but still won’t forget it.
Odds are that once you check on it the next day, you might feel different. And that’s only if you even remember that you wanted that special thing. If you still want it, you can go for it. Otherwise, pat yourself on the back for avoiding a useless buy.
Read More:
- 30 Ways To Get Free Stuff (That Aren’t Scams)
- 12 Best Coupon Apps To Help You Save Money
- 13 Ways To Earn Money From Paid Surveys [At Home, Online & More]
