We’ve been covering some of the biggest sales and deals from some of the top retailers over the past 10 years. The most common question we get deal with the best ways to find coupon codes that actually work. So we thought we’d cover this commonly asked question with some tips and tricks…and the one way we think is the biggest red flag.
In the age of online shopping, finding ways to save money has become one of the most sought-after things to look for online. Clearly, one effective strategy is using discount codes to slash prices and snag great deals especially at checkout. These codes, also known as promo codes or coupon codes, offer a percentage or fixed amount off the total purchase price.
If you want to up your savings game and hopefully save a bit extra when you’re about to checkout, these are some things to keep in mind and try out for yourself.
1.
Official Websites and Newsletters
Most of the top retailers provide exclusive discounts on their own website or through newsletters for those who are willing to subscribe. This is probably the fastest and easiest way to get an average of an extra 10% – 20% off your order without really having to do much.
2.
Coupon Websites
Utilize dedicated coupon websites like RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, and even Honey. These sites/apps aggregate a wide range of discount codes from various retailers, making it easy for you to find deals across different categories. Some will even offer their own additional discounts just for using them. For example, we’ve seen RetailMeNot provide you with things like 5% cashback or even an exclusive coupon that they’ve negotiated with the retailer.
3.
Browser Extensions
Install browser extensions like Honey, Rakuten, or Capital One Shopping. These tools automatically search and apply available discount codes during the checkout process, ensuring you never miss out on potential savings. The best part of extensions like these is that you never had to waste time looking all over the internet while you’re about to checkout and you know that they’re going to be active and working.
4.
Cashback and Rewards Programs
Platforms like Rakuten and Swagbucks not only offer discount codes but also provide cashback or reward points for your purchases. Combine these benefits to maximize your savings. Typically the more you spend the higher your rewards or even cashback increases. The difference with these programs vs. a site like RetailMeNot (only as an example) is that Rakuten is passing the savings back on to you (of course they’re still keeping a bit, we’re sure) but typical coupon sites are keeping that affiliate revenue all for themselves. No judgement.
5.
Email Subscriptions
Subscribe to the mailing lists of coupon bloggers or deal aggregators. These sites usually curate lists of the latest and most effective discount codes, saving you time and effort in your search. Plus, some will allow you to subscribe to specific retailers or categories (i.e., fashion or beauty) so your email subscription will be tailored to specific areas you’re actually interested in.
6.
In-App Offers
So many of us have downloaded our favorite retailers app. So, if you’re like us an prefer shopping through mobile apps, keep an eye out for exclusive in-app offers and discount codes. Many retailers reward app users with special promotions to encourage mobile shopping. Even better, many of the top retailers and brands will give you an extra 5%, 10% or even 20% off when you first download their app and make a purchase.
7.
Student and Military Discounts
If you’re a currently enrolled student or part of the military, take advantage of special discounts. Many retailers offer unique discount codes for students and military personnel, so be sure to verify your eligibility and enjoy the extra savings.
These used to be the most common discounts, but since the pandemic many retailers have decided to include “everyday heroes” as well like teachers, nurses, first responders, select government employees, additional medical professionals and more. Always scroll down to the bottom of the retailers webiste (in their footer) because they’ll typically have direct links to these type of discounts.
8.
The One Red Flag to Lookout For
Keep in mind this isn’t always the case, but typically when you’re on certain coupon websites (especially ones you may have never heard of) and they have user generated coupon codes (where any user can simply upload any code they want without any verification) we’ve found, on average, 85% of these user generated code to not work. In fact, you can tell that so many of them are just made up.
We really recommend to stay away from options like this because they’re usually a waste of time.
