5 Ways To Find The Best Online Shopping Deals

I don't know about you, but I've been doing quite a lot of online shopping lately, given that it's my only option! When quarantining started, I found myself with a severe lack of comfortable loungewear (after all, I'm the type of girl who wears fancy dresses on intercontinental flights) so I took advantage of the many sales going on and stocked up on T-shirts and leggings and cozy shorts. Now that summer is approaching and tentative talks of decreasing guidelines are starting, I'm fantasizing about all the cute new summer clothes I could potentially wear. So I thought it might be a good time to share how I shop online and how I use a few different tools to make sure I'm getting the best deals possible. 

*Heads up: some of the links I'm sharing here are referral links*

1. Download An Apps Like Honey To Find Discount Codes

I can't remember how I first heard about Honey, but I cannot imagine living life without it. It's a Chrome extension that automatically finds and applies discount codes to the sites you are shopping, so if there's an extra discount code you don't know about, it will apply it for you! And even if there aren't any codes that work, you can get credits toward cash back rewards whenever you make purchases. 

You can download Honey here.

2. Use ShopStyle to Compare Retailers and Track Sales

Most people know ShopStyle as a way for bloggers like myself to create custom affiliate links and make a commission when readers purchase products, but I also love using ShopStyle as a way to research and compare different styles and shops. These days, most brands are sold at a few different online retailers, so the same item might go on sale at one store while staying full price at the other. Say I find a cute dress from Alice + Olivia; I'll usually search the product name in ShopStyle's search tool so I can see where else the item is sold and if it is available for a cheaper price somewhere else.

Additionally, you can toggle "sale alerts" for items you like so that you receive an email notification when that item gets marked down. With so many surprise sales happening right now, you never know when a favorite item is going to drop in price, so the alerts will keep you informed.

Sign up for ShopStyle here.

3. Subscribe to Newsletters For Your Favorite Brands

I know it sounds straightforward, but so many people don't take advantage of special offers that brands will advertise through newsletters and social media. Constant email campaigns can be annoying, but it helps to occasionally check out alerts from your favorite brands so you can stay updated on sales and promotions that are running. A lot of brands will host special sales or share exclusive discount codes that are only available to newsletter subscribers, so sign up to your favorite ones so you can stay in the know.

4. Follow Sample Sales

The last time I was in New York, my coworker and I stumbled upon the greatest discovery of all time: a Reformation sample sale. Gorgeous printed midi dresses and chic tops at a fraction of the original prices? Sign me up! I walked away with two midi dresses for less than the price of one full-price piece. While shopping, I realized that the sample sale was run by a company called 260, and they organized sample sales for all sorts of brands in LA and NYC, so I started following them on Instagram to stay updated on upcoming sales in LA.

With the beginning of quarantine, you'd think that sample sales would be on hold, but actually, 260 has started hosting online sample sales so now you can shop them from wherever you live!

You can view their list of online sale events here. 

5. Take Advantage of Cash Back Programs

Getting paid to shop? It sounds too good to be true, and yet, cash back programs exist! I've started using Rakuten religiously, and love how many brands are on it. With all the online shopping I've been doing while staying home, the rewards are already starting to add up. Urban Outfitters, Nike, Shopbop, and even Postmates are all partnered with Rakuten, and the site also shares special offers all the time. You can install a Chrome plugin so Rakuten can automatically remind you if a site you are shopping is eligible for cash back, too.

I also highly recommend checking out any offers available through your credit card or debit card company. I've gotten cash back from purchases at Rite Aid, Domino's, and Amazon Fresh through my credit card, some with up to 10% back, so take a look at your card's current offers for additional ways to get rewarded for purchases you are making anyway.

You can sign up for Rakuten here. 

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What secret tips do you have to find the best deals?