12 Secret Ways to Save Big Money Online That No One Knows About

If you're tired of paying full price and want to outsmart the system, you’re in for a treat. While most people know about promo codes and cashback rewards, there are hidden tricks savvy shoppers use to unlock huge savings. These aren’t your typical money-saving tips—these are secret strategies that can keep thousands of dollars in your pocket every year. Ready to hack your online shopping? Let’s dive in!

1. Use Virtual Credit Cards for One-Time Discounts

Ever notice how many stores offer first-time buyer discounts? What if you could use that offer again and again? With virtual credit cards from Privacy.com or Revolut, you can generate multiple card numbers and take advantage of new customer deals as often as you like.

2. Request a Price Adjustment After Purchase

Did you know that many stores secretly offer price adjustments? If you purchase something and the price drops within 7-30 days, you can ask for the difference back. Brands like Target, Nordstrom, and Best Buy often honor this—just contact customer service and request a refund for the difference.

3. Shop in 'Secret Shopper' Mode

Retailers track your browsing behavior and can raise prices based on your search history. To avoid this, use incognito mode or a VPN when shopping. Some people report seeing lower prices just by clearing their cookies or switching browsers!

4. Change Your Location to Unlock Lower Prices

Some online retailers charge different prices based on location. Want to see if you can get a better deal? Use a VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN to set your location to a different state or country—sometimes, even a neighboring zip code can unlock better pricing.

5. Use ‘Secret’ Overstock and Outlet Sites

Did you know retailers have hidden overstock stores? Instead of paying full price, shop on sites like Nordstrom Rack, Best Buy Outlet, and eBay Refurbished to get deep discounts on brand-new and like-new products.

6. Manipulate Dynamic Pricing by Switching Devices

Some companies charge different prices depending on whether you're shopping on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. Before making a purchase, check the price on another device—you might be surprised to find a better deal!

7. Set Up Automated Price Drop Alerts

Why check prices manually when automation can do it for you? Use Distill.io or the Honey Drop List to get notifications whenever a product’s price falls below your set target. This ensures you buy at the lowest possible price without constantly refreshing the page.

8. Trick Subscription Services into Offering You a Discount

Thinking of canceling Spotify, Hulu, Audible, or Amazon Prime? Before you hit that final button, wait! Many companies will offer a discount or free months to keep you from leaving. Test this by initiating a cancellation and seeing what discount pops up.

9. Buy Foreign Currency Gift Cards for U.S. Stores

Want a next-level hack? Some gift card resellers offer foreign currency gift cards at a discount. Sites like CardCash and Gift Card Granny are great places to explore these options.

10. Use Price-Matching Bots

Don’t have time to track price drops? Let AI do it for you! Apps like Paribus (now part of Capital One Shopping) scan your past purchases and automatically request refunds when a price drops. It’s like having a personal shopping assistant working 24/7.

11. Rent Instead of Buy for One-Time Needs

Why buy expensive items you’ll only use once? Services like Fat Llama and Rent the Runway let you rent high-ticket items (like power tools, designer outfits, or camera gear) for a fraction of the cost.

12. Use 'Ghost Email Accounts' for New Customer Discounts

Retailers often give big discounts to first-time customers, but why stop at just one? By using temporary email addresses from Gmail aliases or services like Temp-Mail, you can keep getting first-time discounts indefinitely.

Final Thoughts

With these little-known shopping hacks, you can save thousands without changing your buying habits. These aren’t just small discounts—these strategies can add up to major savings over time!

Cheers!