Online shopping has become a popular way for many Filipinos to buy everything from everyday essentials to the latest gadgets and fashion trends. The convenience of browsing and purchasing items from the comfort of one’s home, together with the promise of quick delivery right to one’s doorstep, makes online shopping a preferred choice for many.
However, while it offers ease and accessibility, online shopping can also bring financial challenges, particularly when it comes to managing one’s spending habits and saving money. With enticing deals and promotions always just a click away, it can be easy to overspend without realizing it.
To help you navigate the world of online shopping while keeping your financial health intact, we’ll fill you in on some practical tips that will also help you save money and allow you to make the most of your purchases.
1. Compare Prices Across Different Platforms
One of the best ways to save money is to compare prices across various e-commerce sites before making a purchase. Many platforms often sell similar items, but prices can vary significantly due to differences in seller pricing or exclusive platform discounts. With this in mind, take a few minutes to search for the product you want on different sites or online marketplaces. This will allow you to spot price variations and see which platform offers the best deal.
2. Use Cashback Rewards Credit Cards
Using the best credit card for online shopping in the Philippines is also a smart way to save money while shopping online. A credit card that offers cashback rewards is the perfect example. The cashback rewards work by giving you back a percentage of the money you spend, which becomes all the more ideal if the rewards are earned on expenses that you expect yourself to make anyway. In this case, consider looking for credit card issuers that provide the best credit card for online shopping with cashback features. Utilizing such a financial tool makes it easier for frequent online shoppers to earn money back on their purchases.
The Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card is one of the best cashback credit cards for online shopping that you can get today. This card allows you to enjoy up to 5% cashback at Landers, 2% cashback on dining expenses, and 1% cashback on other qualified spends.* This card is perfect even for online shopping because you can reach the 5% cashback threshold simply by spending in your favorite stores. Starting with a base cashback rate of 3% at Landers if your total credit card spending is below PHP 20,000. This rate increases to 4% when you spend a minimum of PHP 20,000, and then it increases further to 5% when you accumulate a total qualified credit card spending of at least PHP 50,000 during the month. Once you earn enough cashback points, these points are converted into cashback vouchers that you can use at any Landers Superstore nationwide.
3. Make the Most of Discounts and Promotions
Another way to save money when shopping online is to utilize discount codes, vouchers, and exclusive online promotions. E-commerce sites and online marketplaces in the Philippines and even overseas regularly offer promo codes that can be applied during checkout for an additional discount. To find these discounts, look for banner ads on the e-commerce site’s homepage, or search for codes on popular coupon websites.
Additionally, many online stores offer exclusive discounts to customers who buy for the first time or sign up for their newsletters. These newsletters are a great way to gain early access to online sales events, allowing you to secure popular items before they sell out. You can also choose to receive notifications about upcoming promotions and special discount codes that you can receive directly in your inbox.
4. Shop During Sales Holidays
You can also save money by planning your shopping around major sales holidays. In the Philippines, double-digit shopping events like 11.11 and 12.12, along with mid-year sale, Black Friday sale, and Christmas season sale, are popular for offering massive discounts across various categories, including electronics, fashion, and home essentials. During these events, e-commerce platforms typically offer limited-time flash sales, vouchers, and bundled deals that let you score significant savings. As such, it’s wise to create a shopping list beforehand to avoid impulse buying.
5. Set a Budget and Stick to It
One of the challenges of online shopping is staying disciplined with your spending, especially when everything is just a click away. To avoid overspending, set a clear budget before you start adding items to your cart. It’s also a good idea to review your total spending before checkout, as this can serve as a helpful reminder of your budget.
Moreover, some banks offer tools within their apps that allow you to monitor your credit card transactions in real time, in addition to limiting the amount that you can spend online. Such is the case with Maya’s credit cards, like the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card. You can assign daily spending limits to different types of credit card transactions, including online payments and contactless payments. To access and manage your spending limits, follow these steps:
- Log in to Maya and go to Cards.
- Select your credit card.
- Then, tap the gauge icon to open the Limits and Controls From here, you can set spending limits, which will help you from going over your budget.
6. Be Cautious with Shipping Fees
Shipping fees can quickly add up, especially if you’re buying from multiple sellers or smaller shops. While the price of the items may seem reasonable, high shipping costs can eat into your shopping budget. To minimize these costs, look for online stores that offer free shipping promotions, or use free shipping vouchers available on certain other platforms. Many e-commerce sites also offer free shipping when you meet a minimum purchase requirement. Having said that, try to combine your purchases into a single order and within the same website to reach this threshold.
Shopping online can be a rewarding experience if you know how to make the most of the savings opportunities available to you. Remember, it’s not just about finding the best deals—it’s also about being a smart shopper and sticking to a budget. With these tips, you can turn online shopping into a money-saving habit while still getting the things you love.
*Transactions that don’t qualify include: cash in, cash advance, quasi cash purchases, casinos and gambling, fuel, supermarket, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telco, and government.
