How to Find Secret Sales and Hidden Coupons Online
It’s true that some of the best deals and coupons aren’t always advertised front and center. Here’s how to become a savvy deal hunter and uncover those secret sales and hidden coupons online:
1. Become a Forum and Community Dweller:
- Deal Forums: Websites like Slickdeals, Reddit’s r/frugal, and FatWallet have active communities where users share deals, coupons, and discounts they’ve found. These forums often uncover hidden sales and time-sensitive offers.
- Couponing Communities: Facebook groups and online forums dedicated to couponing can be valuable resources for finding exclusive coupons and learning about upcoming promotions.
2. Dive into Deal Aggregator Sites:
- DealNews: This site curates deals from various online retailers and often features exclusive discounts that aren’t available elsewhere.
- TechBargains: If you’re looking for deals on electronics and tech gadgets, TechBargains is a great resource.
- Brad’s Deals: This site features a mix of deals on various products, including clothing, home goods, and travel.
3. Sign Up for Retailer Newsletters (and Actually Read Them):
- Email Exclusives: Many retailers offer exclusive discounts and coupons to their email subscribers.
- Early Access to Sales: Newsletter subscribers often get early access to sales and promotions before they are publicly announced.
- Birthday Discounts: Some retailers offer special discounts on your birthday if you are signed up for their email list.
4. Utilize Social Media:
- Follow Retailers on Social Media: Many retailers announce exclusive deals and promotions on their social media pages.
- Engage with Brands: Sometimes, brands will offer exclusive discounts to followers who engage with their posts or participate in contests.
5. Explore Browser Extensions and Tools:
- Honey: This browser extension automatically searches for and applies coupon codes at checkout. It also offers price tracking and alerts you to price drops.
- Capital One Shopping: This tool not only finds coupons but also compares prices across different retailers.
- InvisibleHand: This browser extension automatically notifies you if the product you’re viewing is available for a lower price at another retailer.
6. Check for Student, Military, and Senior Discounts:
- Student Discounts: Many retailers offer discounts to students with a valid student ID.
- Military Discounts: Many retailers offer discounts to active-duty military personnel and veterans.
- Senior Discounts: Some retailers offer discounts to senior citizens.
7. Abandon Your Online Shopping Cart:
- Cart Abandonment Emails: Sometimes, retailers will send you a follow-up email with a discount code if you abandon your online shopping cart.
8. Look for “Hidden” Coupon Codes:
- Google Search: Try searching for coupon codes on Google using specific keywords like “[Retailer Name] coupon code” or “[Product Name] promo code.”
- Coupon Code Websites: Websites like RetailMeNot and Groupon often have user-submitted coupon codes that may not be widely advertised.
9. Use Advanced Search Operators:
- Google Search Operators: Use advanced search operators on Google to refine your search for coupons and deals. For example, you can use quotation marks to search for exact phrases (e.g., “Nike coupon code”) or the minus sign to exclude certain words (e.g., “shoes -boots”).
By using these strategies, you can uncover hidden sales and secret coupons that can help you save even more money online. Remember to be patient and persistent, as finding these hidden gems often requires some extra effort.
