This article is inspired by MasterPass by MasterCard. MasterPass by MasterCard simplifies the way you shop by combining security and convenience, safely storing payment and shipping information in a digital wallet. Learn more at masterpass.ca/masterpass.html.
Shopping is a tough gig. Either you spend too long looking at stuff that you have no interest in or you overspend on the things that you want because you’re in a hurry. There’s no way to find that sweet spot of spending the right amount of time and finding the best deal… Or is there?
Here are a few tips to make your shopping experience go a little smoother.
Five Easy Tips to Simplify Shopping
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Make a List
Remember when your mom used to whip out that nerdy pad of paper that she’d keep in her purse back in the day? You know, that habit you thought was so ridiculously embarrassing that you’d go off into the toy aisle and pretend like you didn’t know her. Well, it turns out that, like with many things, she was right after all.
One of the most overlooked strategies for being a successful shopper is making a list. Not only does making a list ensure that you make all of the purchases that you are planning to make, it also keeps you from overspending on things that you don’t need. Think about all of the times that you’ve fallen into the rabbit hole of searching through your favorite online electronics stores, adding more and more and more into your cart. Hell, that Super NES emulator that comes with 10 games looks really cool, we’re not going to disagree, but do you really need it? Probably not.
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Compare Prices
Another tip from mom that you should pay attention to is, “shop around.” Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Of course, you probably think this doesn’t simplify your shopping. Actually, it does.
Just make sure that you go to a price comparing website. Not only do these great resources give you the opportunity to find the best price, but they also show you a number of popular, discount-driven websites where you can purchase all of your favorite items.
In other words, by searching on one site, you get the opportunity to search at least 5 or 6, and if you like any of those prices, feel free to return to them for future purchases.
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Check Social Media
Social media is good for two things, being a weird Internet stalker and finding awesome flash deals at online retailers. It’s pretty easy to do either, but we suggest becoming a better shopper by following your favorite stores on their Facebook and Twitter accounts so that you can strike while the bargains are hot.
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Buy in Bulk
This is a weird idea in the age of technology, but many online retailers offer deals for buying in bulk (even for digitally distributed items), so it’s often worth shooting your buddies a text to see if they’d be interested in a copy of the latest video game… or at-home yoga video series. You know, guy stuff. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
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Visit Your Old Favorites
Over the years, you have cultivated a list of your favorite online shopping websites, the ones that have the best deals or the cheapest shipping or the best selection. These are the websites that you rely on and you should use as a benchmark for the rest of your online shopping.
And, just in case you’re new to the whole “online shopping thing,” let us give you our favorites.
Newegg.com is your one stop shop for everything hardware, software and video game related. They have some great deals and offer everything that you’re looking for. Also, don’t forget to stop by NCIX.com if you’re looking for tech gear. This retailer will be your new best friend for price matching or, if you’re looking for a quick buy, they’ll always give you a solid price.
