SKIPPING THE RESEARCH STAGE
Not doing their research is a big mistake shoppers make, said Skirboll. “Without doing research, shoppers are not fully informed on who has the best deals/sales and can end up buying products for more than what they have to spend,” she said.
What to do: Whether you’re buying a new toaster or a new pair of shoes, take some time to explore all your options and available deals so you can get the best price. You can use shopping comparison apps such as ShopSavvy to scan barcodes while you shop or Price.com to discover the best deals in different shopping categories in real time.
FORGETTING TO CHECK STORE APPS
From Target to Amazon, many popular retailers have their own apps to make browsing, finding deals and purchasing as easy as a few screen swipes and taps. You might even be able to claim in-app offers and deals that you can’t find in flyers or online.
What to do: Take inventory of all available apps at your most-visited retailers, and make sure they’re installed on your phone. Remind yourself to bring up any coupon codes or bar codes at the checkout lane so you can get the best price.
IGNORING CASH-BACK DEALS
Many cash-back sites offer exclusive deals at popular retailers and put cash in your pocket shortly after verifying your purchases. You can save every time you shop just by claiming offers and using the website or app to shop for everything, from clothes and electronics to groceries and household items.
What to do: Sign up for a cash-back deals site with high payouts, and bookmark it so you can shop through the site with little effort. Sites such as Honey can be installed on your browser to track deals as you shop. Alternatively, download an app that lets you keep track of the latest offers and make purchases directly.
