7 Ways to Cut Back on Amazon Spending
- Use the wish list to delay purchases
Get into the habit of placing must-haves on your Amazon wish list instead of choosing the “Buy Now” option or even moving the item into your cart. This way, you’ll have more time to rethink the purchase and decide if you really want to buy it.
- Take “Amazon” out of your budget
If you’re an avid Amazon shopper, you may have given the online market a prominent place in your budget–but you’re much better off not doing so at all. Having an expense category marked “Amazon” only makes it harder to hold back from overspending. Instead, make sure each purchase you complete on Amazon can neatly fit inside another expense category, such as clothing or food.
- Consider “Subscribe and Save” for essentials
For everyday items that you frequently buy, Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program can be a money-saving marvel. This service offers discounts and convenient deliveries on a schedule you choose. Just make sure you use it for essentials only.
- Turn off 1-Click
Amazon’s 1-Click feature may be super-convenient, but it also makes it super-easy to overspend. Remove the temptation to impulse-buy by turning off the feature. Just go to the Purchase Preferences page under Settings in your account and choose to disable 1-Click buying.
- Consider alternatives
Amazon remains the most popular online marketplace in the world, but Walmart Plus is quickly becoming a formidable competitor.
Here’s how the two match up:
| Features | Amazon Prime | Walmart Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $14.99 | $12.95 |
| Annual Fee | $139 | $98 |
| Free Shipping | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Privileges | Exclusive Amazon Prime streaming | Paramount Plus subscription |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 30 days |
| Grocery Delivery | $150 minimum | $35 minimum |
| Additional Perks | Free cloud storage, release-day delivery, prescription discounts | Gas discounts, shopping rewards, from-home returns |
Take some time to review the features in each plan to ensure you are making the right choice for your needs. You may also decide you don’t need any of these subscriptions at all. Keep in mind that the average Prime member tends to spend far more on Amazon than nonmembers, likely in an effort to justify the subscription price.
- Comparison shop
Before making a purchase on Amazon, do a quick online search to see if you can find the same item at a better deal from another vendor.
- Use tracking tools
Prices on Amazon are known to fluctuate. To capitalize on these fluctuations and grab the best deals, consider using price tracking tools or browser extensions. These will alert you when the price of a product you’re interested in drops.
Use the tips outlined here to curb your Amazon spending
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