Here Are the Fastest Ways to Compare Prices When Shopping Online

Let's face it. None of us has time to putz around finding the lowest price available when shopping, particularly when we're in a hurry. At one time, online shopping seemed like the fastest way to get the job done, but that was before every retailer on the planet made their products available via the internet. Today, shoppers who don't care to move from site to site looking for the best deals need a fast, efficient way to ensure they're finding the lowest prices available. Here are some of the quickest, surest ways to pinpoint where the deepest discounts are to be found.

Google Shopping

There is, perhaps, no faster way to compare prices online than Google Shopping. Let's say you're looking for a Monopoly board game. You log into Google Shopping, type the word "Monopoly" into the search bar at the top of the page, and within moments, see the current price from a multitude of different retailers. Once you find a price that works for you, a link will take you directly to the store, where you can place the item in your virtual shopping cart. Every dollar you save is another dollar you can tuck away in your emergency fund.

Price.com

Price.com has a website, browser extension, and mobile app (for both iOS and Android devices). Like Google Shopping, you begin by typing in what you're looking for. Or, if you're in a store, you can take a photo of the item or use the barcode scanner to let the app know what you're looking for. A nice feature of Price.com is how it finds coupons you can use online or in stores to reduce your price. Finally, if you're waiting to purchase an item at a particular price, the app will automatically alert you when a retailer offers it at that price or lower.

MyCartSavings

If you're not yet familiar with MyCartSavings, it's a name you're going to want to get to know. Like Price.com, the app (available for iOS and Android devices) will alert you when an item on your wish list hits a specific price. MyCartSavings also compares prices on items at Walmart, eBay, and Best Buy, so you can always be sure you're snagging the deepest discounts. And if you dislike typing, MyCartSavings allows you to search using your voice. MyCartSavings is one of the easiest ways available to save money from the comfort of your home.

Tips for nailing down the best price -- and serious savings

If you're new to shopping for discounts, you are sure to find a system that works for your personal finances. In the meantime, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Use a browser extension like Honey to find active coupon codes. You can also find them on websites like RetailMeNot. Coupon codes can slash the price at checkout.
• Remember to add the cost of shipping. The initial prices you find on the three mentioned sites and/or apps may or may not include shipping. Don't forget to check and then factor that expense in.
• If you've never heard of a site, don't automatically assume it's legitimate. Even if you find it on Google, it may be a scam site that's snuck its way in. If that's where you find the lowest price, do a little research to ensure you're dealing with a legitimate retailer.
• Give yourself permission to wait. Unless you're shopping for something you absolutely must have now, allow Price.com or MyCartSavings to alert you when your preset price becomes available.

Unless you're looking for a one-of-a-kind product, chances are, different retailers have it listed at different price points. Why not take advantage of 21st-century technology to snag the lowest price available and keep more of your hard-earned money in the bank?