In recent months, I’ve become obsessed with shopping on Amazon.
It started this past Christmas when I ordered presents through Amazon Prime. Everything from a butter churner to an Instax Instant Film camera were delivered to my front door within 24 hours.
I felt like Buddy the Elf.
Unfortunately, the exciting feeling continued — and I still spend way too much money on impulsive buys.
However, there are ways I’m redeeming myself — or at least justifying my spending…
How to Save Money on Amazon: 6 Online Platforms to Use Now
These six online apps are helping me work through my Amazon addiction and save some money. And they’re actually really easy to use — and free.
Trust me, I have no patience for 10-step sign-up processes.
1. Earn cash-back refunds via MyPoints.
Before going totally rogue on Amazon, I hit up MyPoints, a cash-back site that rewards you in gift cards for shopping online.
Right now, you can earn five points per dollar shopping on Amazon. Plus, you can get a $15 Amazon gift card when you sign up for Prime — which, in my opinion, is totally worth the free shipping and other perks.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Sign up for MyPoints using your email address.
- Next time you buy something online, use the MyPoints portal, which is connected to thousands of stores — including Amazon. But even if you aren’t shopping on Amazon, check for other stores. You might be able to earn points, which will be redeemable for an Amazon gift card.
- Once you earn 1,590 points, you can redeem it for a $10 Amazon card. And 15,800 points equals $100 in Amazon money. :scream:
The process is a cinch.
2. Share your receipts for money back via Paribus.
You know that guilty pull in your stomach when you know you’ve done something wrong?
I get that feeling when I’ve spent a lot of money — especially when I get an order confirmation email. My natural inclination is to delete it. Get it away.
But, when you sign up for Paribus, you won’t want to do that.
Basically, this free platform scans your email archives for receipts. It might sound scary, but we use it here at The Penny Hoarder.
If it detects purchases from Amazon, Target or one of its other 16 retail partners, it tracks the item’s price and issues a refund as soon as the price drops. (Because the dread is even worse when you realize something you bought went on sale.)
Once you sign up, you literally don’t have to do anything. That’s my kind of money back.
3. Score cash back via Ebates.
Ebates is an online tool offers consumers up to 40% cash back at more than 2,000 online stores — hello, Amazon.
To date, the site boasts that its members have scored more than $325 million back. So I wasn’t opposed to getting in on that action.
Do note, though, that 40% cash back isn’t as common as the 5% to 10% range. However, it’s money, and I like money.
Plus, you’ll get a $10 welcome bonus for signing up.
Search the site to find your desired retailer, and click “Shop Now.” Within 48 hours, you’ll see the money in your account.
Right now, there are 34 rebate offers for Amazon with up to 25% cash back.
4. Pay with a rewards credit card.
Yeah, I’m with you: Credit cards are sorta intimidating.
But I signed up for my first rewards card last year, and since I pay off my balance each month, it’s awesome.
Right now, Barclaycard is offering a free cash-back card. It’s called the Barclaycard CashForward™ World MasterCard® — which makes me feel like a very legitimate adult when I say it out loud.
Free is emphasized here because usually rewards cards sometimes come with sign-up fees. However, this one does not.
You’ll also get unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. And this isn’t restricted to gas or groceries — it’s for any purchase you make.
If you manage to spend $500 within the first 90 days of opening the card (groceries are expensive), you’ll earn $100 in cash rewards. Perf for Amazon spending.
So if you’re a financially responsible adult and can afford to pay off your credit card each month, why not get a rewards card and snag some cash back?
5. Bank an extra $36 per year via ShopTracker.
This is such an easy, passive way to rake in an extra $36/year.
ShopTracker is operated by The Harris Poll, a survey company that measures U.S. public opinion.
In this case, it wants to see what products Amazon users purchase. When you sign up for ShopTracker, it keeps your private information, well, private.
All it wants to see is your order information, including the order date, product title, category, ISBN number, release date, condition, seller, list price per unit, quantity and other details.
Before you jump in, you need to know:
- This will be a waste of time if you don’t shop on Amazon (but then again, why have you read this much if you don’t?)
- You must be 18 and live in the U.S.
- You’ll need at least a Windows 7-compatible PC. If you have Windows XP or a Mac, it won’t work.
All good? Time to download, which takes about 3 minutes. We wrote about the entire process here.
6. Screenshot this “Should I Buy This?” chart via The Penny Hoarder.
OK, OK. Talk about self-promotion, but I can’t properly complete this guide without letting you know about our nifty “Should I Buy This?” chart.
I’ve tucked it away in my mind and use it when I’m about to make an unnecessary purchase.
The flowchart takes you through a number of questions to help you determine if you actually need what you’re about to buy. It’s helped me save a lot of money while perusing Amazon.
In the end, if you’re going to shop on Amazon, be smart about it. The site is a dangerous wormhole, folks, so be sure you’re getting the most cash-back/savings for your buck.
Your Turn: What tools do you use to save when you’re shopping on Amazon?
Disclosure: Here’s a toast to the affiliate links in this post. May we all be just a little richer today.
Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Although she spends too much on Amazon, she considers herself an otherwise financially responsible young adult.
The post 6 Secret Ways to Save Money on Amazon Right Now (No Coupon Codes Required) appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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