How to Save Big on Online Shopping with Browser Extensions
If you’re looking for easy ways to save money while shopping online, browser extensions like Honey and Rakuten are must-haves. These handy tools can help you score discounts, earn cashback, and find the best deals—all with just a few clicks. Here’s how they work and why you should start using them today.
1. What Are Honey and Rakuten?
Honey and Rakuten are browser extensions designed to save you money when shopping online. They work by automatically applying coupon codes or giving you cashback on your purchases. Both are free to use and can be installed on popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
• Honey: Honey is known for its ability to find and apply discount codes at checkout. Whenever you’re about to make a purchase, Honey scans the web for promo codes and applies the best one for you automatically. It also offers a feature called “Honey Gold,” where you can earn points (Gold) on purchases, which you can later redeem for gift cards.
• Rakuten: Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) focuses on cashback. When you make a purchase through a retailer that partners with Rakuten, you can earn a percentage of your money back. Rakuten also offers coupon codes, but its main draw is the cashback feature. You can receive your earnings via PayPal or a check in the mail.
2. How Do They Work?
Once you install the Honey or Rakuten extension, they become your personal shopping assistants. Here’s how they work in practice:
• Honey: When you shop on a retailer’s website, Honey will alert you if it finds any available coupons. You simply click “Apply Coupons” at checkout, and Honey will test multiple codes to find the one that saves you the most money. If there are no coupon codes available, Honey might still offer “Honey Gold” points, allowing you to rack up rewards over time.
• Rakuten: With Rakuten, you need to activate the cashback feature before making a purchase. The extension will notify you if cashback is available for a particular retailer, and you can click to activate it. Rakuten tracks your purchase and deposits the cashback into your account after your transaction is confirmed.
3. Why Should You Use Them?
• Instant Savings: Honey and Rakuten take the hassle out of hunting for deals. Instead of manually searching for promo codes or cashback offers, these extensions do the heavy lifting for you, saving you time and money.
• Earn Cashback: One of the standout features of Rakuten is the cashback. Whether you’re booking travel, buying clothes, or ordering food, Rakuten lets you earn a percentage of your purchase back, essentially rewarding you for shopping.
• Stackable Discounts: Honey can stack discounts on top of any sale prices already available on a retailer’s site, maximizing your savings. It also alerts you if a price drops on an item you’re interested in, helping you snag the best deal possible.
• Completely Free: Both Honey and Rakuten are completely free to install and use, making it a no-brainer for anyone who shops online regularly.
You May Be Missing Out on Savings!
If you’re not using browser extensions like Honey and Rakuten yet, you’re missing out on easy ways to save money and earn rewards while shopping online. With their ability to find the best discounts and offer cashback, these tools make shopping more budget-friendly. Install them today and start saving with just a few clicks!