This 1-Minute Step Could Save You Money on a Lot of Online Orders

I'm a big fan of shopping online. It saves me time, I can avoid traffic and long lines of people, and I get to shop in my pajamas without feeling judged. I also find it easier to maximize my savings when I shop online. I can find the best sales and compare prices across multiple retailers. 

I take one extra step before I complete the checkout process to ensure I'm getting the best deal possible. You, too, can use this same strategy to ensure you're not spending more than necessary when shopping online. 

This one step could help you waste less money 

When I shop online, I'm looking to maximize my savings from the very start. I often pay attention to email newsletters and social media posts to know when my favorite retailers have a big sale. But that's not all I do to keep more money in my checking account. 

During checkout, many popular retailers allow customers to enter a promo or coupon code. Shoppers can get a discount on their order with a valid coupon. If a store I'm shopping at has a place to enter a promo code, I take an extra minute to check for valid codes. This process takes almost no extra effort on my part and is an easy way to get a better deal. 

Are you wondering how to find active coupon codes? One way is to review marketing emails from your favorite online stores. Another option is to use Google to search for coupon codes. Alternatively, you can use one of the best coupon apps to discover promo codes. 

Saving money with coupon codes is simple. All you have to do is copy and paste an active code and try it during checkout. Sometimes, you may encounter an expired code. But you can always try another one to see if it's valid. While not every retailer supports discount codes, many do. I've saved significant money shopping online by taking this simple extra step. If you are working hard to meet your personal finance goals, this is an easy strategy you may want to consider following the next time you shop online. 

Even a small discount can make a difference. The savings will add up as you continue to use online coupon codes. If you shop online regularly, this could be a great way to boost your savings account balance without doing much work. 

Don't miss out on the chance to earn rewards

Here's one more tip that could be a win for your wallet: Don't ignore cash back apps. 

You can earn cash back rewards when you shop online with your favorite retailers. These apps and browser extensions are easy to use. Many of the best cash back apps offer cash payment once you accumulate enough rewards. These apps offer yet another way to maximize your savings and get rewarded when you spend money. 

My favorite cash back app is Rakuten. I use the browser extension regularly, and many of my favorite retailers are partners. If I've accumulated at least $5.01 in cash back earnings every quarter, a payment is sent directly to my PayPal account. I have been a Rakuten fan for years. 

Don't miss out on the chance to earn rewards when you shop. Whether you use cash back apps or pay for purchases using a rewards credit card, you can benefit by making extra cash. Check out our list of the best cash back credit cards to find the right rewards card for your needs.