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1. Shop online first

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Sorry, stores, but websites should be the shopper's first stop.

Next time you're tempted to hop in your car and head to the nearest strip mall, check the store's website first. You can nearly always find some kind of discount code or coupon.

Many department stores, for example, will offer you a discount if you just sign up for the retailer's email list.

The store is going to have your email anyway, if you wind up buying online. So it makes sense to sign up ahead of time and enjoy the savings.

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2. Use a cash-back shopping portal

Hands of man holding one-dollar bills on white background. Top view. Economist or an accountant. Home budget. Little cash. Insufficient funds. Counting money.
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Cash-back portals automatically give you money back, every time you shop.

Companies including Rakuten (formerly called Ebates), Ibotta and TopCashback will give you a rebate (money back!) every time you pass through their site or app on your way to spending money at your favorite e-tailer.

The rebate percentages vary but generally range from 1% to 6% back.

It’s literally as easy as two clicks to earn cash back on what you buy. If you use a cash-back credit card to make your purchase, you'll put even more money back into your pocket.

3. Get a credit card with price protection

Close Up Of A Grey Rewind Button On Chrome Remote Control For A Hifi Stereo Audio System
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Price protection can "rewind" your purchase if the price falls after the fact.

Even if you bought an item at what you thought was a rock-bottom price, it pays to have credit card price protection. If the price drops further, your card will credit you for the difference.

For example, let’s say you bought a sweater online that was marked down to $49.99 from $69.99. You purchased it through a cash-back portal that offered you a 3% rebate, so you know you’ll be getting back $1.50 (3% of $49.99).

Let's say you also paid using a credit card with price protection, and a week later you see that same sweater marked down even more, to $29.99. You can file a claim with your credit card company within 90 days to get a $20 refund of the additional savings.

Though Citi credit cards have discontinued their "Price Rewind" benefit, a few card issuers do still offer price protection, so shop around if that interests you.

Paribus is an app that works in similar fashion and automatically gets you money back when prices drop.

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4. Track prices until you see a hot deal

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Use a price-tracking app so you'll know when it's time to pounce.

Just because you spy an item at what seems like a good price doesn’t mean that it is. Make sure you’re paying the lowest price available by using a price-tracking website or app.

One site, camelcamelcamel, tracks the history of prices on Amazon, so you know if the current price is the lowest price or if you should hold off until it dips.

Another tracker, Slickdeals, can tell if an item you’re about to buy is cheaper elsewhere.

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About the Author

Robin Saks Frankel

Robin Saks Frankel

Freelance Contributor

Robin was formerly a freelance contributor to MoneyWise.

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The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter.