6 Ways to Get the Most Out Of Your Amazon Shopping

In 2017, the number of Amazon Prime members in the United States surpassed 80 million. That means that approximately 64% of American households are Amazon Prime members. If you’re one of the many people turning to Amazon for shopping, here are some things you can do to save more money on the website.

1. Get a Discounted Prime Membership

An Amazon Prime membership costs $99 for the year. However, you don’t have to sign up for the annual membership. If you only plan to use the membership during certain times of the year, such as back-to-school season or during the holidays, you can pay month-to-month instead. This brings the price down to $10.99 each month, helping you save money for the times you can benefit from free shipping the most.

If you’re a college student, you can get an Amazon Prime membership at a discount. Use your school email address (ending in .edu) to get 6 months free and 50% off your membership after that. Then, you can enjoy free 2-day shipping, video and music streaming, cloud photo storage, and more.

2. Open a Prime Rewards Credit Card

For individuals who use credit cards, a Prime Rewards credit card can be a great way to earn cash back on your Amazon purchases. In fact, you can earn up to 5% back on the amount spent using your credit card. However, make sure that you pay off the balance as you use it. It has high-interest rates, so be sure to pay it off before you can accrue interest.

3. Look for Discounts

Did you know that you can use coupons on the Amazon website? There are online coupons that can be applied to grocery items and other household essentials. Look for these Amazon coupons on the website. Then, you can clip the coupons and apply it to your cart when you check out.

You can also get discounts using the “subscribe & save” feature on items that you purchase on a regular basis. For example, you can get low prices on diapers and determine how frequently you want them shipped to your home.

4. Track Prices

There are several websites that can help you track prices on Amazon. Websites like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa alert you to the lowest prices on things you want. Some sites can also tell you whether or not the price has been lower in recent months, letting you know to wait until the price drops again.

5. Check the Daily Deals

Toward the top of the Amazon homepage, there’s a link for Today’s Deals. After clicking this link, you can see some of the deals for the day. You’ll find page after page of items at reduced prices. If you forget to check this link, you could also sign up for the Daily Deals email to remind you.

6. Opt for Slower Shipping

Amazon is known for its free 2-Day shipping with your Prime membership. However, sometimes they offer deals for times when you don’t mind receiving your item a few days later. The deals differ. Sometimes you can get credit for digital music, videos, eBooks, or even credit for the Amazon Prime Pantry.

Knowing how to navigate Amazon and find the best deals will help you save money and get the most from your shopping experience. What are your favorite tips for shopping on Amazon? Share your ideas in the comments below.