How Purchasing Online Can Save Your Family Money

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This morning, I went shopping and came home with a gorgeous $130 (original price) boutique jacket for only $10.  I really enjoy finding deals like that, but I've found it increasingly difficult to spot them in stores lately.  Perhaps it's because everyone it out shopping for the best deals in this economy; I'm not sure.  Maybe it has more to do with the fact that I'm shopping more from home rather than braving the crowds, germs, and hassles of getting to the store with two young children in tow

If I can buy something online that is useful or unique, I usually do.  Not only is it less time-consuming for me than packing up the children, heading out, and hitting the stores, but I can often compare prices and find what I'm looking for at a lower price.   I do make an exception (within reason) when it comes to shopping at locally owned stores; if the price is somewhat comparable, I prefer to patron a local store and support the entrepreneurial spirit within my community.

Here are few sites I regularly visit when shopping online:

• Groupon - I have purchased some unique, fun, inexpensive treats via Groupon.  Two of my favorite Groupon purchases were half price organic snacks (which were very useful on our family vacation!) and a nearly-free year long museum membership.  You can easily subscribe to receive their daily deals by email.  That's what I do... I subscribe to the deals in my nearest metro area, and also to a few near the cities where we like to vacation.  For example, if you vacation at Disney, you may want to subscribe to Orlando deals and potentially save a few dollars on your next vacation.

• Google Shopping- Looking for something in particular?  Ugg boots?  North Face jacket?  Cast iron pan?  Google Shopping searches countless stores and presents their prices in a sortable list for you.  Sort by relevance, price, reviews, etc.

• Amazon.com - I love to compare prices and read through their extensive product reviews (mostly the ones shared by actual readers and users).  Their program Amazon Mom has also saved us quite a bit of money on diapers and wipes over the last year, especially since we get an additional discount for utilizing Amazon Mom's Subscribe & Save feature.

• DaySpring- They have beautiful Christian gifts and home decor, run frequent sales, and often have clearance items for just $5.99.

• TravelZoo - Whenever I'm planning to get away, whether it's a weekend trip or a family vacation, I always check prices there first.  They search out the best deals across the web and compile them for you to peruse.

In addition, I have also found Swagbucks to be a great tool for accruing "bucks" to spend online.  Just doing simple things, such as using the Swagbucks Search Engine and referring my friends to earn, too, adds to my accrued "bucks."  When I have earned just 450 Swagbucks, I redeem them at the Swag Store for Amazon.com gift cards.  It's easy and puts a few extra dollars in my pocket to use for birthdays and Christmas.

I've also made a few useful purchases online based upon the referrals of other like-minded bloggers, such as when I bought the Lilla Rose Flexi-Clip, Modest Mom skirts, and Jesus Storybook Bible. 

Where do you shop online?  How do you save money when you shop?

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also shared at Domestically Divine and Raising Homemakers