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I’m a fan of shopping online. There’s nothing better than being able to shop for what I need without leaving the house, so I place frequent online orders. In addition to saving money by shopping online deals, coupon codes help me score additional discounts at checkout.

I’ve saved over $400 this year by entering coupon codes at checkout. You can save money this way, too. Many popular retailers allow shoppers to use coupons. I’ll explain why you should use online coupons and give you some tips to maximize your savings when shopping online.

Coupon codes are your friend

If you haven’t used coupon codes, you’re likely spending more than necessary when shopping online. While not every company has coupon codes, many do. One way to find these codes is by using one of the best coupon apps.

But that’s not the only way. Many retailers promote coupon codes in their email marketing messages. Some brands also display codes on their website as banners at the top of the screen or during checkout. If you like to save money, you should use these codes.

I’ve been using online coupons for years. They’re better than paper coupons because they require less effort to use. I reviewed some of my order confirmation emails from 2024 to find out how much I saved and discovered that I saved over $400 thanks to coupons. I will always spend a few seconds checking to see if there is a coupon I can use before I place an online order.

Earn cash back rewards when you shop

Yes, coupons are great, but they’re not the only money-saving tool in my toolbox.

Another way I save money when I shop is by earning cash back rewards. I do this by using cash back apps. Before I begin adding items to my cart, I activate cash back offers. Then, I shop like normal. It’s that simple.

I also earn cash back when using rewards credit cards. With the right credit card, it’s easy to earn cash rewards whenever you swipe your card. Want to get rewarded for shopping? Click here to explore our curated list of the top cash back credit cards with big rewards.

Tips for best success when using online coupons

I’ve picked up some coupon best usage strategies in my years of online shopping — and I’m happy to share them with you. Here are a few tips that can help you maximize your savings:

• Sign up for newsletters: A simple way to get a coupon is by signing up for email newsletters. Many companies send a discount code to new subscribers. I always sign up for a brand’s email newsletter if it’s my first time shopping with them.
• Shop during sales to save even more: Some companies offer plentiful coupon codes. A great way to maximize your savings in addition to using a promo code is to time your purchase and shop during a sale. Some retailers restrict whether coupons can be applied to an order when an item is heavily marked down, but it’s worthwhile to see if you can also use a coupon.
• Check to see if you can stack coupons: It’s less common for retailers to allow coupon stacking, but some companies are more generous. Kohl’s is one retailer that lets you stack coupons. Before placing your next online order, check to see if you can stack your savings.

Coupons can lower your shopping bill

Want to stretch your holiday shopping budget further? Don’t ignore additional opportunities to save money. Coupon codes are an easy way to lower your shopping bill. The more you save, the more money you’ll have to prioritize your financial goals.

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