Top 10 Tips for Bargain Hunting
By: Financial Hotline
Fall 2025 (Vol. 43, No. 3)
Finding the best discounts on everything, from everyday essentials to luxury items, is all about knowing where to look and using the right tools. Here are some of the top places and strategies to find great deals:
1. Online Discount Websites & Apps
Use apps like Honey, Slickdeals, or Rakuten to set deal alerts for items you’re looking to buy. These tools will notify you when prices drop or when promo codes are available. RetailMeNot is a go-to for finding coupon codes for nearly every major retailer, plus cashback offers. Groupon is great for local discounts, travel deals, and experiences, as well as online shopping codes.
2. Check for Discount Programs Specific to You
UNiDAYS and Student Beans offers discounts for students across hundreds of brands like Apple, ASOS, Nike, and more. It’s free to sign up with your .edu email. Teachers, Veterans, First Responders, and many other professions are eligible for discounts on lodging, trips, restaurants and even retailers like Adidas, Michaels, and Levi’s. It doesn’t hurt to check.
3. Use Third Party Sites for a Broader Search
Sites like CarGuru, AutoTrader and AutoTempest pull listings from all over the internet. Travel sites like Hopper and Priceline can help you narrow down the best deals for travel.
4. Download Phone Apps
Gas station apps like Shell, 7-Eleven, SmartPay Rewards and the Upside App give you cash-back or instant discounts on gas plus deals or freebies likes sodas and food. Restaurants and fast-food chains regularly offer free food, discounts, and other rewards with apps like McDonalds, MyPanera, Jimmy Johns Rewards and Chick-fil-a. Retail and Grocery stores like Target, Kroger and Save A Lot are known for special in-app deals.
5. Deal Aggregator Apps
Honey (mentioned above) also allows you to track price history and set up alerts when prices drop. CamelCamelCamel and Keepa are apps that track prices and show you the price history of an item. This helps you figure out if a sale is truly a deal or if the item is regularly priced. DealNews is great for finding the best deals across a variety of categories, including tech, home goods, and fashion.
6. Flash Sale Sites
Gilt and Hautebook offer ‘while supplies last’ sales on designer clothing, shoes, and accessories, often at 50%+ off. Zulily is a go-to for deep discounts on fashion, home goods, and kids’ items, often with limited-time offers. LivingSocial is known for deals on experiences (like travel, dining, activities), home goods, and more. Overstock and Wayfair offer online shopping for discounted furniture, home decor, and more with regular sales.
7. Comparison Shop
Use apps like Google Shopping or ShopSavvy to compare prices before purchasing something. Check out TheZebra. com to compare insurance rates. You might be able to find a better deal at a competitor.
8. Tech & Electronics Deals
B&H Photo Video and Newegg are known for good prices on electronics, cameras, and tech equipment. Best Buy Open Box Deals offers heavily discounted open-box products, which are often still in great condition.
9. Cashback & Rewards Programs
Ibotta is a cashback app that gives you money back on grocery shopping and other purchases, available at many major retailers. Dosh is a cashback app that links to your credit/debit card and gives you money back when you make purchases at participating stores and restaurants. Swagbucks lets you earn (Swagbucks) for shopping online, answering surveys, and watching videos, which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
10. Social Media & Newsletters
Follow Your Favorite Brands on social media (especially Instagram and Twitter for exclusive sales and discounts. Join private groups like deal-sharing Facebook groups or Reddit communities (like r/Frugal or r/Deals) that post real- time deals and coupon codes.