Make a shopping budget. No matter where, when and what you're shopping for, having a strictly determined budget is a very common method to save some money. Do not exceed that budget and you'll have enough for other expenses. Even if this is a rather passive way to save money, it's effective. 

 

Make a shopping list. This goes together with the budget. Just by reviewing that list from time to time will bring you back to reality, keeping you from dreaming too much on how it would be to have one of the other products that you don't really need right now. Especially if you're an impulse buyer, a shopping list helps. And always think twice before putting something on your list. 

 

Check auction sites. Before accessing an online store in search for an item that you need, its best to look for it on an auction site, like MadBid for example, or eBay. You might find the exact, same product  there for quite a fair price, and even if it's not new, it will serve its purpose right. 

 

Add to cart and leave. Once you've registered with an online store, like BestBuy, or Amazon for example, you should know that using your virtual shopping cart options will change. First of all, if you're registered and log in, once you add you stuff to cart, they will remain there for a while, even if you log out. Some of the products available will become cheaper if you add them to car, then simply leave, without purchasing. So, fill up your cart then log off. In one or a few days you will surely receive an email offering discounts for some of the items you've selected and added to your cart the previous day. 

 

Become an affiliate with an online store. Almost any online store has an affiliate program. By joining an affiliate program, you can receive up to 25% of the value of a product, if someone purchases through your affiliate link. So, you can be sneaky, become an affiliate, and purchase something through your own link, to get a part of your money back. 

 

Coupons. These are discount tools that we're all acustomed with. They're come in various forms, and are given and accepted by many stores. Online stores don't make an exception. One of the latest internet crazes is the SwagBucks system.