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Smart online shopping on a budget is possible. Online shopping has made all of our lives easier. We can find virtually anything our heart desires, at any time of the day. With a simple click, we can have the items at our doorstep within days or even in a matter of hours. Skillfully shopping online may not have even crossed your mind. If you want to stay on track, you must learn these smart online shopping tips on a budget.

Why do you need to learn how To shop online?

Shopping online and staying within budget requires planning, even more so than traditional shopping at malls or at your favorite Target store. Here are 2 reasons why:

1. Online shopping is easy to get sucked into.

With more of us working and browsing online, it’s easy to see why sales ads litter every corner of the Web. You may have fallen prey to the most common marketing schemes out there, without even knowing it.

Savvy digital marketers place pop-up ads based on your browsing history and purchases. You may have become immune to the number of online ads you scroll through in a day.

Have you ever found yourself shopping and buying items when you were just trying to check emails or read articles? If you answered yes, then you too have fallen for these online marketing traps.

Don’t worry! We all have. You’ll learn how to limit your exposure and spot these inconspicuous sale gimmicks.

2. Online shopping prompts you at every turn.

Have you ever put something in your shopping cart, and then later decided against it? I bet you received emails or reminders prompting you to finish the checkout process. You might have even received a special discount or a special reminder letting you know how long you had before the sale ended.

Now, think about a time when you were at the mall and changed your mind. All you had to do was put the item down and walk out of the store. You didn’t have a salesperson following you around or popping up all over the mall reminding you to go back and make the purchase.

Smart Online Shopping Tips

Shopping online is completely different than normal shopping. When you shop at a store or mall, you consciously decide where, when, and what to shop for. You choose which store to shop at and which items to shop for.

Online ads pop up anywhere. They are strategically placed where you least expect them, even when you’re not shopping. Protect yourself and have a plan. Use these cash-saving tips and strategies to help you stay on budget while shopping online.

Prep

1. Unsubscribe to store emails and newsletters. Ingenious marketers will tempt you with enticing offers. Don’t give them another chance with your email.
2. Limit how much time you spend on social media. There are hidden traps all over social media that you may not even be aware of. Your favorite YouTube or Instagram influencer may recommend products. It’s okay to take their advice and purchase a few of their recommendations. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and bust your budget.
3. Check your budget first and stick to it. You’ll always find a bargain online. It’s easy to get carried away. If you haven’t started budgeting, click here for an extensive guide to creating a monthly budget.
4. Make a list and stick to it. Marketers know how to match your browsing history and past purchases with online recommendations you just can’t pass up.
5. Shop your own stash first. Take a quick inventory of what you already own before you start shopping. You just might find what you were looking for right in your own closet or shelves.
6. Make it as difficult as possible to complete an online purchase. Disable “one-click buy” on Amazon. Remove all saved debit or credit card information stored on your favorite shopping sites. It will force you to think twice if you have to enter information or find your debit card to complete a purchase.
7. Delete browsing history or cookies often. Don’t give online marketers free access to your shopping habits and preferences.
8. Set a time limit. The more time you spend online, the more you’re likely to spend.
9. Get in the right mindset. Ask yourself why you’re shopping in the first place. If you’re bored, it’s not a good idea to fill your time with online shopping.

Shop

1. First of all, stick to your shopping list. Suggestions will pop up endlessly. Ignore them.
2. Next, stick to your budget. Resist the urge to spend more than what you had originally planned.
3. Finally, stick to a time limit. Time seems to stop when you’re shopping online. It’s easy to fall down the online rabbit hole. Set an alarm on your phone if you don’t trust yourself.
4. Research items to see if you can get a better deal. Take the time to shop around and read online reviews.
5. “Simmer your buys.” Leave the items in your shopping cart overnight, or at least for a few hours. Give yourself some time to think about your purchase.

After you Shop

1. Right after your purchase, log it into your budget right away. It’s easy to forget about the purchase.
2. Use what you buy. This sounds like common sense, but you would be surprised at how often we forget what we’ve purchased. You may lose interest easily, hoping to fill the void with your next purchase. Stop chasing your next buy, and use what you have.
3. Take care of what you buy. Either use it up or learn how to properly maintain, care, and store your item. Don’t let your hard-earned money go to waste.
4. Remember to take a moment to be thankful that you were able to purchase your items debt-free. Give yourself a pat on the back for sticking to your budget and staying out of debt.

Final Thoughts on Smart Online Shopping Tips on a Budget

Incorporate these smart online shopping tips today. First of all, prepare yourself and make a plan. Online marketing tricks lurk at every click, but now you’ve learned how to spot them. Every package will be received without the stress of figuring out how to pay for it. You stayed on track and didn’t resort to debt. Happy Online Shopping!

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