--- title: 5 Tips to Save Money Online Shopping This Year description: Before you click and spend this holiday season, read our 5 tips for saving the most money on your online purchases. image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-11-04T090109.226.jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) ### Posts by Topic - [Personal Finance (262)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Home (164)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Life Changes (109)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Credit Cards (92)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Security (74)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Credit Score (69)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Auto (60)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Checking (54)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/checking) - [Business (48)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Investments (36)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) - [Mortgage (32)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mortgage) - [Savings (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/savings) - [Scams (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/scams) - [Work (28)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/work) - [Debt (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debt) - [Holidays (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/holidays) - [Money Management (22)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/money-management) - [Hanscom FCU (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/hanscom-fcu) - [Home Ownership (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-ownership) - [Credit Report (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-report) - [Government (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/government) - [Home Equity (18)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-equity) - [Budget (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/budget) - [Mobile Banking (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mobile-banking) - [Investment Property (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investment-property) - [Saving Money (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/saving-money) - [Insurance (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Taxes (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/taxes) - [Children (13)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/children) - [College (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/college) - [Financial Wellness (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/financial-wellness) - [Retirement (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/retirement) - [Community (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/community) - [Online Banking (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/online-banking) - [Estate Planning (8)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/estate-planning) - [COVID (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/covid) - [Deals (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/deals) - [Death (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/death) - [Shopping (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/shopping) - [Fraud (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/fraud) - [Mass Save (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mass-save) - [Teens (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/teens) - [Divorce (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/divorce) - [Travel (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/travel) - [ATM (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/atm) - [Baby (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/baby) - [Debit Cards (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debit-cards) - [Motorcycles (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/motorcycles) - [Weddings (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/weddings) - [Boats (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/boats) - [Charity (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/charity) - [Family Finance (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/family-finance) - [Lending (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/lending) - [Credit Unions (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-unions) - [Green (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/green) - [Medical (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/medical) - [Pets (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/pets) - [dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account) - [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account) # 5 Tips to Save Money Online Shopping This Year ** [Sandra Quadros Bowles](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/sandra-quadros-bowles) ** Nov 06, 2020 ![young woman online shopping at computer](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-11-04T090109.226.jpg) This holiday season, Americans are skipping the malls and hitting their couches. [A recent poll](https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/holiday-shopping-poll-2020/) shows that more than seven out of ten shoppers in nearly every age bracket plan to do the bulk of their holiday shopping online this season. Those figures represent a considerable jump from last year’s holiday season, when barely half of shoppers opted for online over physical stores. In an era of masks and social distancing, online stores keep shoppers safe from COVID-19. But convenience is actually the top factor driving shoppers to their screens this year, *not* health factors, according to the poll. Whatever your reason for online shopping, here are five tips to consider before you settle into your comfiest chair with a cup of hot chocolate, ready to shop and click: **1. Chat up the customer service rep.** Human contact can make the experience friendlier for you and your wallet can benefit as well. Even though you’re shopping online, you can still call the toll-free number or engage in a live chat. The rep could well offer you an extra coupon or alert you to deals you may have missed, which could be a welcome dose of comfort and joy this holiday season. **2. Quell impulse purchasing.** The Internet is no less tempting than a brick and mortar store for making purchases you hadn’t planned and really don’t need. In some ways, the temptation can be greater, because the purchase is between you, your laptop, and your credit card. There’s no one silently judging you in that aisle-long line. To keep expenses down, consider buying a gift card from the online retailer for a set amount and stick to it. And speaking of cards... **3. Get sweet rewards with cash back or other bonus credit cards**. I take an early winter three-day jaunt to Florida on my miles [rewards ](https://www.hfcu.org/borrow/credit-cards/cash--rewards-world-mastercard.html)from my designated holiday credit card. Just watch your spending and pay off your full balance each month to truly save. Rewards only have value on sensible purchases and when they're not offset by recurring interest. **4. Sign up for multiple offers. **Encourage other family members to sign up for emails from your favorite retailers. This can lead to extra coupons, free shipping, or other deals. **5. Leave items in your cart. **This is a pro trick from no less than Suze Orman, who knows a thing or two about dollars and cents. After a few days, retailers have been known to check in with you and even offer a deal to convince you to click “Place your order.’’ Plus this strategy gives you time to consider whether the purchase is impulsive versus inspirational. Remember that the Internet never closes so there should be no reason to rush the process. Take your time and shop sensibly. Making judicious purchases can spread a sense of joy to the recipient and relief to the giver.  And that’s truly a gift worth giving.   *Earn more this holiday season with [Hanscom FCU's CASH + REWARDS World Mastercard.](https://www.hfcu.org/borrow/credit-cards/cash--rewards-world-mastercard.html) With no annual fee, unlimited 1% cash back, and reward categories that suit your preferences, this card will let you do more with your money through the holidays and beyond.* [![Learn more about the CASH + REWARDS World Mastercard](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/e81a1aee-00e7-47a6-ada0-1d19d2368a30.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/e81a1aee-00e7-47a6-ada0-1d19d2368a30)     *Others are reading:* - [Shop Online Securely With Click-to-Pay](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/shop-online-securely) - [Here's How to Make Your Checking Account Pay YOU](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/make-your-checking-account-pay-you) - [6 Reasons to Check Your Credit Card Statements](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/credit-card-statements) - [5 Reasons to Go Cashless During the Coronavirus Pandemic](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-reasons-to-go-cashless-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic) - [5 Good Reasons to Use Your Credit Card](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-reasons-to-use-your-credit-card) ** [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards), [Travel](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/travel), [Holidays](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/holidays) [** What Is a Secured Credit Card? ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-is-a-secured-credit-card) [** 4 Ways Your Car's Color Can Save You Money ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/4-factors-for-saving-green-with-your-car-color) ### About Author ![Sandra Quadros Bowles](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Sandy%20Quadros%20Bowles.jpg) Sandra Quadros Bowles Sandy Quadros Bowles is a veteran journalist who has received local, state, and national journalism awards. A resident of New Bedford, MA, she is an animal enthusiast, an avid reader, and an enthusiastic traveler. Related Posts [![The Benefits of Setting Up Direct Deposits](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/young%20woman%20paying%20bills%20on%20couch-1.png) The Benefits of Setting Up Direct Deposits ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/the-benefits-of-setting-up-direct-deposits) [![How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(1)-1.png) How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays) [![Traveling this summer? 9 credit card tips to know](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/two%20women%20at%20cafe%20on%20vacation.png) Traveling this summer? 9 credit card tips to know ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/traveling-this-summer-9-credit-card-tips-to-know) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-tips-to-save-money-on-online-holiday-shopping/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-tips-to-save-money-on-online-holiday-shopping/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-tips-to-save-money-on-online-holiday-shopping/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Comment ### Subscribe To Blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### contact **Hanscom Federal Credit Union** 1610 Eglin St. Hanscom AFB, MA 01731 Call us: [800-656-4328](tel:8006564328) [https://www.hfcu.org/](https://www.hfcu.org/) ### About Us [The MoneyWisdom Blog](https://www.hfcu.org/the-moneywisdom-blog.html) ### Social ** ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.facebook.com/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://X.com/HanscomFCU The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.instagram.com/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### http://www.youtube.com/c/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Popular Posts [What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg) [What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg) [6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg) [23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg) [9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg) ### Recent Posts - [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing) - @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/) - Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf) **Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Sandra Quadros Bowles" }, "dateModified" : "January 19, 2022, 10:49:45 PM", "datePublished" : "2020-11-06 12:30:00", "description" : "Before you click and spend this holiday season, read our 5 tips for saving the most money on your online purchases.", "headline" : "5 Tips to Save Money Online Shopping This Year", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/118438/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-11-04T090109.226.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-tips-to-save-money-on-online-holiday-shopping", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg" }, "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" } } ```