Every year, Mrs. Frugal Rules and I put together short lists of some items we’d like for our birthdays and Christmas, which helps us be frugal shoppers. It’s a bit of a burr in my wife’s side because she’d much rather I surprise her but I am not telepathic and I like to make sure that I am giving her something that I know she wants. So, we’ve come to enjoy our little lists. Ever frugal shoppers, whenever we see one of my items on sale, we’ll add that to the list along with where we saw the deal offered so that Mrs. Frugal Rules and I can get it for a good price. It seems like without fail, there is always one item on each of our lists that we overspend on.
This year it was a Blu-ray copy of one of my favorite films – The Dark Knight Rises. The Mrs. found it on Amazon at about 40% off retail price a few weeks before Christmas. Then, low and behold, we were shopping at Costco one Saturday afternoon and passed by a whole stand of Dark Knight Rises blu ray discs for 75% off retail price. I knew Mrs. Frugal Rules had been beat when I heard a loud gasp followed by a “dag nabit!” It was only a week before Christmas and it was an unusual deal. “You can’t win them all, Dear” I told her. But it got me thinking about what we can do day in and day out to be frugal shoppers and save money on the things we buy, including gifts for others. With that in mind, I want to share a handy little tool that you may or may not already know about but which our family likes to use to be frugal shoppers and help find the best deals – online and off on the things we buy.
Frugal Shoppers Will Like Amazon’s ‘Add to Wish List’ Button
First off, let me say that this is not a plug for Amazon and I was not compensated by them for this post. This is just my honest opinion about a helpful little free tool that my family uses to be frugal shoppers and shop frugally. Amazon has an amazing little app that you can add to your internet browser toolbar that looks like this:
The button lets you instantly compare what Amazon.com is selling an item for against any other online site’s price. Mrs. Frugal Rules added it to her toolbar and tells me that she loves how convenient it is to quickly check the price. If Amazon doesn’t carry the particular item, she can still add it to her wish list and keep all the items she’s looking at in one place. That came in very handy when she did all her Christmas shopping for the kids from the comfort of our home during the week of Black Friday.
The way it works is while you’re browsing an item on any site, you click the “a” button in your browser and a small window pops up showing you if there’s a match on Amazon and if so, what Amazon is selling the item for. You can then add it to your wish list with a note without ever leaving the original site you were browsing.
There are some cases, such as in the example above, where Amazon’s price will save you considerable money. As with all online shopping, you have to remember to factor shipping fees into your final costs and look for online coupons if you’re on a site that charges shipping fees.
If I’ve gotten you in the money saving mood with my post, then this next part will really make you smile. How would you like to win $500 cash? From now through February 25, enter below for your chance to win $500 cash!
I shared one of my latest online shopping tips. How do you shop frugally online or offline? What’s your favorite way to save money?
Photo courtesy of: Foxumon
Hmmm I may have to add this to my toolbar. I currently do not have it added, though I do make use of wish lists. Comparison shopping is where the real $ are saved.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..$500 Cash Giveaway – Save Money with Coupon Codes
That’s the beauty of the toolbar is that it does the comparison shopping for you to let you know if t’s cheaper elsewhere.
Funny, sometimes I except Greg to read my mind too!!!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..Extreme Hoarding: Pregnancy Edition…..and a Giveaway!
If only we could do that with our spouses all the time.
Funny, I fully expect Greg to read my mind sometimes too! =)
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..Extreme Hoarding: Pregnancy Edition…..and a Giveaway!
I didn’t know about the Amazon shopping tool. That is pretty cool. I like using cash back sites in addition to my cash back credit card to maximize my cash back.
Jon @ MoneySmartGuides recently posted..Expecting a Baby? Here are Some Money-Saving Tips
I did not either, my wife introduced me to it and it’s a pretty handy little tool.
I don’t have this on my toolbar, but Amazon makes everything easier as far as online shopping. They certainly have the formula down.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Using Coupons to Save Money-$500 Giveaway
That they do Kim. Almost too easy.
Like Jon, I try to pile on the cash back incentives and coupons, with rebates, too, if possible. That toolbar is so neat! And, thank you for hosting this giveaway. It certainly IS making me smile. (Now come to mama!)
Jennifer Lynn @ Broke-Ass Mommy recently posted..Hello. I’m still here. We’re up and running, again.
We do as well. If only I could enter in the giveaway!
I always check amazon prices before I buy anything. I want to see the cheapest price I can get before making a bricks and mortar purchase. Plus bf got a free trial to prime that makes shipping free. Good to be co-hosting the giveaway with you.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted..How to Spend Too Much This Valentine’s Day
As do we. Even if I am out buying something I’ll check it on my phone. We’ve been wanting to get Prime for a while but have not pulled the trigger yet.
Amazon always provides a great service. This is why they are the largest online retailer. Nice toolbar plugin that I might have to download.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup recently posted..My Number One Shopping Tip + $500 Giveaway
That they do Grayson. There at the top of them all for a reason. I think they have really been able to change the retail landscape for many.
Great giveaway! When I decide what I’m going to buy someone I always check online before buying in store since it’s usually significantly cheaper. Hubby keeps a running list of stuff he wants and I have am amazing wishlist for me and my daughter to help…though 90% of the list is stuff I want to get for baby
Catherine recently posted..I WILL Partake in Lifestyle Inflation
Thanks, but all the credit goes to Kyle for putting it together. I can relate to the 90% thing, we do that ourselves as well.
Good tip on the Amazon wishlist button, as an avid Amazon shopper I can’t believe I wasn’t aware of it. We have the prime membership at Amazon and share it with a few family members. They free 2-day shipping option is hard to beat, plus their pricing is very competitive. Thanks for participating in this John.
Kyle James | Rather-Be-Shopping.com recently posted..Frugal Hack #6: Go Social and Save Money
I was not either, it was my beautiful wife that introduced me to it. We want Prime, but have not pulled the trigger yet, maybe for this upcoming Christmas season. Thanks for putting it together Kyle!
I’m all about comparison shopping when I’m looking to purchase something. I had no idea that Amazon had that so thanks I’ll check it out.
Canadian Budget Binder recently posted..Shopping Tips We Use To Save Money
I did not know either. We comparison shop all the time as well in order to save money.
We used this feature for th eholidays last year. It was convenient and simple to use. There were acouple items though I was able to buy elsewhere for less.
krantcents recently posted..Rental Property Investing Tips
That it is! It’s hard to beat Amazon at price, but it does happen at times.
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Johnny Moneyseed recently posted..Reduce your digital footprint
I have not heard of it, though it does sound like a pretty sweet setup! That’s awesome you were able to save that much money on your registering. Thanks for stopping by!
Not sure what rock I’ve been under, but I hadn’t noticed that feature on Amazon… time to change that!
Happy to be co-hosting with you
The Happy Homeowner recently posted..Saving Money While Shopping…And a $500 Giveaway!
Well, it’s the same rock I must’ve been under.
I did not know about it until my wife showed me it…just another reason why I love her! 
Gift-giving can be so hard. I knew Amazon had the wish list within their site but I didn’t know about the tool bar – that’s a nice feature. I love how easy Amazon makes it and they probably love it too.
Shannon Ryan @ The Heavy Purse recently posted..Gratitude versus Entitlement
I did not know about it either until my wife told me about it. Amazon certainly does make it easy for us…too easy I think.
Yeah, Amazon is so good at marketing, with suggested items and so many features to make the experience a bliss. Wish list is great to drop items during the year and avoid saying “oh, I don’t know” when people ask for gift idea on Christmas and bdays.
Pauline recently posted..Save money with online shopping and a $500 giveaway!
Yes, they are Pauline. They have done a great job at taking over the retail landscape in a very short time frame.
Very cool – I have never tried out Amazon’s wish list item. Will definitely use that in the future, as I love Amazon when buying online.
Jason Clayton | frugalhabits recently posted..5 Ways I save Money Shopping Online + a $500 CASH Giveaway!
I’ve used their wish lists before as they can be quite handy in putting together a gift list. This other feature also allows you to compare prices across the web.
My wife loves to make wishlists because she has a hard time buying presents without knowing what a person wants. This is pretty useful because it will allow he to see what I need and want without having to ask for it.
Justin@TheFrugalPath recently posted..5 Tips for Turning Junk into Cash
We use them as well in order to help us see what the others want.
The Dark Knights Rises is one of my favorites too! I haven’t seen any 75% discount at my Costco though.
I used to use the wish list for others to anonymous browse. This way it was still sort of a surprise gift. Might be time to start again.
John @ Fearless Men recently posted..My 5 Shopping Strategies for Online Savings | $500 Cash Giveaway
As is mine, we saw it for like $15 off what my wife bought it for online. That’s ok though, I’ll watch it enough to make up for it.
I run a small deals facebook page and find that amazon along with eBay are my ‘go to’ sites as they often have the best deals around.
Money Bulldog recently posted..Things to Watch Out For When Buying a Car On Finance
I would agree, though I generally don’t use Ebay as much as I should, though they do tend to have very good deals.
Good tip John! I rarely shop on Amazon as the .ca one isn’t anywhere near as cool as the .com one unfortunately.
Tackling Our Debt recently posted..Inexpensive, Fun Ways to Express Your Love on Valentine’s Day
That stinks Sicorra! I did not know that was the case. Do they have less products, not as good of prices or both?
So true. Planning and listing what you need in advance will save you a lot of bucks.
Gen X Finance recently posted..Start 2013 Off Right By Reviewing Your W-4 Exemptions
That it will, especially when you’re shopping for others. Thanks for stopping by!
That’s a really good tip John, I’ve never really ever used the wish list function in Amazon before, I may just have to check that out.
Chis @ Stumble Forward recently posted..The Amazon Price Change – Plus A $500 Giveaway
Thanks Chris! The wish list is nice, this other tool takes it to another level.
You two are really a good team when it comes to frugal shopping. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Sarah Park recently posted..How to Become a Translator
Thanks Sarah! Thanks for stopping by!
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At this point I don’t really seem Amazon as a “store” as much as an ultimate online tool. I live off of their gift lists and I use it to organize my family and friends gifts. Amazon reminds me of their birthdays and special events and I can make lists of what I want/need. Not only that but I run my online businesses off of their platforms. Truly an amazing company!
Listen Money Matters recently posted..How I Save a Ton on Travel Expenses
Thanks for the useful tip!
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