• Home

  • Meet Stacey

    • Work with Me

  • Decor

  • Family

  • Food

  • Style

  • Travel

  • Shop My Feed

  • PRIVACY POLICY

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Posh in Progress

Online Shopping 101: Save More Money and Time on Cyber Monday

By Stacey Freeman 5 Comments

online shopping 101Cyber Monday, the kickoff of the online holiday shopping season, is just around the corner. Online-only and brick and mortar retailers will soon flood their websites and mailers with many online-only discounts.

To find the best deals and save the most money, you need to be prepared. The following tips will be a refresher for veteran online shoppers or a great introduction for beginners.

1. Narrow your search by virtual window shopping.

Google Images is a great way to window shop online. Depending on your search terms, you can see hundreds of pictures of the products you might want. However, if you already have a general idea of what you want, but aren’t sold on just one brand, websites like Polyvore or Shopstyle can narrow your search results.  I regularly use Shopstyle to search through thousands of store websites in an instant. For example, if you want to find a burgundy handbag under $150, you can narrow your results to only look for those items.  Then you can scroll through and find bags that match what you are looking for.  The more specific you are in your search criteria, the fewer results you will need to search through.

Once you find the specific item you want, do a more specific search that includes the product brand name and item name, so you can find where it is cheapest.  For example, larger brands may sell their products at many different stores, so you might find it cheaper at one department store vs. another.  If the item is available at three different department stores, make sure to search for online coupons and figure out shipping costs (see steps 4 and 5) before you make your final purchase.

2. Call your local store after you find it online.

Once you find the item you want, call your local store to check availability. Buying it directly at the store helps you avoid shipping fees and get the item immediately.  If the local store doesn’t have the item in stock, they may be able to order the item for you and have it shipped directly to your house or have it available for pick-up in the store.  Many stores will waive shipping fees if you order the item directly through the store.

 3. Check Amazon and Ebay for lower prices.

Before I buy anything, I always check Amazon and Ebay to make sure they aren’t selling the items for cheaper.  Amazon regularly offers free shipping if you spend over a certain dollar amount and use certain sellers.  Some Ebay sellers offer free shipping as well, and if you find the item with a “Buy it Now” option, you can purchase the item immediately.  If you find the item in an Ebay auction, that may require extra time and patience to see if you can get the item at a better deal, in which case, you may opt not to wait to bid on it.

4. Find online coupon codes for additional savings.

Save even more money by searching online coupon sites like: Ebates, Fatwallet, Slickdeals, or Couponcabin for coupon codes. Retailmenot is my go-to online coupon destination.  I never buy anything online without first checking for coupons.  Many websites have their own online coupons, but Retailmenot  usually has regularly updated coupons for everything from retail clothing stores to restaurants to printing services. You can find online codes that will save you percentages off your total purchase price, dollar amounts off a total purchase, or sometimes other offers like free shipping or free products with specific purchases.

5. Beware of Shipping and Return Fees.

Even if you find an item slightly cheaper at one store, make sure you check shipping fees before you buy.  Some stores have very reasonable or free shipping over a certain price point, and others offer free returns.  Some stores make you pay for shipping both ways, in which case, you may save more money by shopping at another store. Also, be sure to investigate whether the retailer will allow you to return items directly to the store or if you have to pay to ship items back to the retailer.

Some retailers and online coupon sites have free or discounted shipping tied to your total purchase amount.  If the store has an easy (and free) return policy, I sometimes over-spend just to get the free shipping and then return the unwanted items. For example, if I’m buying $80 shoes, but need to spend $100 for free shipping, I’ll add on another item to get me over the $100 mark.  Then, I will return the extra item to the store, or ship it back to the retailer if their return shipping is free.

 

I hope these shopping tips help you to save money and find great deals this holiday season.  If you have some tips I didn’t include, I’d love to hear them.  I’m always on the hunt for a great deal.

 

Tagged With: amazon, cyber monday, deals, discounts, eBay, online shopping, polyvore, retailmenot, shopstyle, tutorial

About Stacey Freeman

I am a Style Maven, Mommy, Educator, and Traveler.

« Revamp Your Black Interview Suit
Cranberry Pecan Glazed Pumpkin Cookies »

Trackbacks

  1. Happy Thanksgiving! - Posh In Progress says:
    at

    […] For many people, Thanksgiving weekend requires a 5am wakeup call to partake in Black Friday deals. If you want to avoid the craziness of the stores or prepare for Cyber Monday, check out my tips for finding great deals while shopping online. […]

    Reply
  2. How to Save Money on Maternity Clothes and Still Look Fabulous - Posh In Progress says:
    at

    […] have some sort of promotion, like free shipping, or a percentage off of your purchase. Check out my online shopping guide for more online shopping […]

    Reply
  3. Happy New Year: Looking Forward to 2014 - Posh in Progress says:
    at

    […] Online Shopping 101 […]

    Reply
  4. 5 Things You Need To Buy in May on Discount - Posh in Progress says:
    at

    […] some time checking out online deals first, as you can often find additional coupons. I share more online shopping tips […]

    Reply
  5. 50+ Exclusive Sales that will Make Your Black Friday 2016 Awesome! - Posh in Progress says:
    at

    […] you’re not a huge fan of shopping online, you’ve got to get over that. You should check out my tips for shopping online and then dive right […]

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

Hi, I’m Stacey!

Popular Posts

  • Starbucks Egg Bites Recipe In the Oven featured by top LA lifestyle blogger, Posh in Progress

    How to Make Starbucks Copycat Egg Bites In the Oven

  • Summer Eggplant Tomato Pie recipe featured by top LA lifestyle blogger, Posh in Progress

    How to Make This Brilliant Summer Eggplant Tomato Pie

  • 3 Day Water Fast before and after featured by top LA lifestyle blogger, Posh in Progress

    I Went on a 3 Day Water Fast and This is What Happened

  • Doralto the perfect margarita alternative

    The Doralto: The Little Known Alternative to the Margarita

  • Easy Honey Glazed Biscuits Recipe featured by top LA lifestyle blogger, Posh in Progress

    How to Make These Easy Honey Glazed Biscuits

Disclosure

This site uses selective affiliate links, which means a commission is earned if you make a purchase via the link. The price you pay will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. We appreciate, and thank you for, your support!

Pinterest

Join Stacey on Instagram

poshinprogress

Writer - Educator - Entrepreneur
Mom Life • Travel • Fashion • Recipes
My new children’s book ➡️https://amzn.to/3rjsXKE

Stacey Freeman, Ph.D.
Is anyone else off to a very slow Tuesday? I usual Is anyone else off to a very slow Tuesday? I usually love the start of the work week, but going back to work after a long weekend, especially in summer, isn’t my favorite. 

It helps when you find a cute work dress though, like this one from @motf_official and I’m linking my current favorite work-appropriate dresses here: https://liketk.it/3Jihs

#liketkit #LTKunder100 #LTKworkwear #LTKcurves @shop.ltk #workwear #workingmom #workingmomstyle #workoutfit #worklook
About last night ✨. Thank you @revivetheshow for About last night ✨. Thank you @revivetheshow for the most unique experience. We had a blast. 

Save 20% with code: REVIVESOCIAL
Learn more https://bit.ly/3tVa4iF

#revivetheshow @redbirdla @vibianaevents @vaudeviresociety #lablogger #la #losangeles #losangelesblogger
Life is good. Working on gratitude today and alway Life is good. Working on gratitude today and always. I can’t believe it’s already July! June was a good one (in 15 seconds).

#drake #lifeisgood #familytravel #familytravelblog #summer #summervibes
Are you ready for the holiday weekend? If you’re Are you ready for the holiday weekend? If you’re looking for a festive and refreshing drink idea, head over to poshinprogress.com to check out my go-to summer drink - this watermelon blueberry smash cocktail recipe. Link in stories! 

#cocktailrecipes #cocktail #cocktailrecipe #watermeloncocktail #blueberries #watermelon
Supporting a healthy immune system and prioritizin Supporting a healthy immune system and prioritizing my health has been a major goal of mine in 2022. I've been focusing a lot more on my supplements, to make sure I'm getting everything I need. Each day, I start with the @naturemadevitamins Multi + Omega-3 gummies because they provide the nutrients my body needs plus heart-healthy Omega 3s.†  From Nature Made, the #1 Pharmacist recommended vitamin and supplement brand* Tap in my stories to learn more about some of my favorite Nature Made supplements. #ad #NatureMadeVitamins 
 
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 
 
*Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements.
Where you’ll find me most days… Last summer, Where you’ll find me most days…

Last summer, I took on a big DIY patio renovation and it was seriously the best decision. I absolutely love my outdoor space now. If you’re looking for tips on easy ways to update your outdoor space, head over to the blog to check out my before and after and all the products I used. Link in stories!

#patio #patiodesign #patiofurniture #patiodecor #patiomakeover
Load More... Follow Stacey on Instagram

© 2022 Posh in Progress. All rights are reserved.

Copyright © 2022 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in