We are all looking for ways to save money. Most of us shop online and there are many tools you can use to save money while shopping. I will talk about three tools that you use in your web browser to get coupon codes and discounts when shopping.
Microsoft Edge Shopping Tool
Microsoft Edge has released several new features related to online shopping. All of the features are built into the browser so there is no need to install or add them. You can customize which features you want to use and adjust your privacy settings as well. You can read more about how to adjust those settings here. Microsoft Edge Shopping Tool and you can read Microsoft’s Privacy Statement here. Microsoft Edge Privacy Statement
Express Checkout is very convenient. When you have added items to your cart and you are ready to checkout you can use it to check for discount coupons. You can also use it to autofill your delivery and payment information which enables you to checkout much faster without the need to enter that information each time.
To use the coupon feature you simply click the blue shopping tag icon on the address bar. This icon will be displayed when Edge notices you are shopping. After you select an item on a webpage the shopping tool will scour the internet and notify you that the price is stable, the price has increased or dropped, and if coupon codes have been found.
You will have the option, depending on the results to check back for coupons if the price is found to be stable and apply coupon codes if they are found.
Edge will also search the web for a better deal and if one is found you will be notified.
Edge has also introduced a travel guide so if for example you are searching for airfare prices edge will notice your travel destination and you will see a popup in the address bar with suggestions on lodging, restaurants, and other amenities at that location.
You can turn the shopping tool on or off. To do so, open the settings menu and then select “Privacy, Search and Services” from the menu on the left.
Under services use the slider to toggle the shopping tool on and off. By default the shopping tool will be enabled.
With each notification you receive whether it is a price increase, a price decrease or a stable price you will see more detailed information. For example, it will show you the pricing trend, the high and low price and the percentage of the increase or decrease in the price.
You will also have the option to compare with other retailers and view recent items and buying guides. If a website is found offering a lower price a link to that site will be provided.
Microsoft Edge Shopping Pros & Cons
Pros
- Automatically built into the browser
- No need to install
- Does not cause any performance issues in the browser
- Saved time and money when shopping online
- Finds coupon codes and discounts quickly and automatically
Cons
- Can only be used in the Microsoft Edge Browser
- Collects some personal information
Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is a free browser add-on that saves you time and money when shopping online and locally. It is completely free. There are no fees, monthly charges or penalties. You don’t need a Capital One Credit Card to use the tool.
The Capital One Shopping tool does collect shopping interests, your email address and zip code.
Their privacy policy states that they don’t share or sell your information. You can read the entire privacy policy here. https://capitaloneshopping.com/our-terms/privacy-policy
To install the browser tool, go to Capital One Shopping
Click the button to add the tool to your browser.
The Capital One Shopping tool can be used in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari web browsers.
Once it has been installed you will see a popup stating that the shopping tool has been added. Click Okay.
You will then be presented with their privacy options. Review the statement and decide if you would like to opt-in or opt-out. You can opt-out and still use the shopping tool which is what I recommend.
Next you will see the “Let’s get started” page. You will enter your zip code, your Amazon Prime status which is necessary so that the Capital One Shopping tool can calculated your savings based on whether you are an Amazon Prime member or not. You will enter you email address and selecte a password to setup your account. You will have the chance to read the terms of service and privacy policy as well. Once you have entered all of your information click the continue button to finish the account setup process.
Next you will choose a few of your favorite stores. You can skip this step if you like but it is used to get an idea on what kind of online shopping you do. Select the stores you use and click continue or click skip step if you do not want to provide that information.
Next click the activate button to enable the tool in your web browser.
Next click the continue button.
The demo will continue and show you how to try the codes the tool provides to receive your discounts. Click try codes.
Click the continue button.
Click the finish button to end the tutorial.
Once the Capital One Shopping Tool has been added to your web browser you can turn it on and off by viewing the add-ons menu in your browser.
If you need to adjust your settings or view your account information, go to the Capital One website and click the account menu to manage your account.
Coupon Codes
Capital One Shopping finds coupon codes, compares prices, alerts you to better deals, and calculates shipping costs.
This really helps to make your online shopping much easier because you won’t need to search around and do all of this manually.
If you have ever searched for coupon codes you know it can be frustrating finding a code that actually works. Many codes you find online are either fake or they have expired. Capital One Shopping makes it much easier to find legitimate coupon codes. Once a code is found it will be automatically applied during checkout. If multiple codes are found the code that saves you the most will be used.
Shopping Credits
When you shop online Capital One Shopping tracks that and you earn Capital One Shopping Credits for those purchases.
Not only can you earn credits online, but you can also earn credits locally when you shop or dine out. Capital One uses the zip code you provided during setup to determine your location. The Shopping Local Offers program is free. You link your eligible credit or debit card and then use it at participating stores to earn your Capital One Shopping Credits.
Note: I recommend always using a credit card online. Never a debit card. A debit card is linked to your bank account and offers little protection if the account is compromised. Credit cards offer much better protection and are not linked to your bank account.
Price Comparison
The price comparison feature searches different websites when you are shopping for an item to make sure you get the best price. For example, if you are shopping for a new air fryer the shopping tool will look at multiple websites and find the one offering the lowest price. So if you are shopping on Amazon and the shopping tool finds a lower price at another site you will get a pop-up in your web browser informing you of the deal and providing a link to that website.
Shipping costs, taxes and any available coupons are also calculated when doing a price comparison so the price you see includes those costs.
Price Drop Notification
Often when shopping online we hold off on making the purchase waiting for the price to drop. Monitoring this can be time consuming. Capital One Shopping does the monitoring for you. You can add the item to your watch list and Capital One Shopping will monitor the item for 60 days and when a price drop is found you will be notified.
Search Tool
The search tool is extremely useful. Instead of going to multiple websites to shop for an item you can go to the Capital One website and search for the item there. It will search multiple sites at once so that you can view the results in one location. Taxes, shipping cost and coupon codes are already included in the search results so the price you see has those already calculated for you. Shopping credits are also looked at so that you can see which site offers the credits.
Visit the Capital One Shopping site here. Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping Pros & Cons
Pros
- You can earn rewards when shopping online and locally
- It is completely free and user friendly
- Saves you time and money by finding legitimate coupon codes and other discounts for you automatically
- Works with most major browsers
Cons
- Does collect some personal data
- Must use a United States address
- The gift card options are limited
Honey
Honey is a browser add-on that searches for coupon codes while you are shopping online. Honey is available for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge.
Honey does collect some personal information about you. They collect your email address if you choose to provide that. It is not required that you do but to use some of the features they offer you need to provide it. They state that they will never sell or share your personal information. You can read their entire Privacy & Security Policy here. https://www.joinhoney.com/privacy
When coupons are found Honey will automatically choose the coupon with the biggest savings and apply it to your cart at checkout.
To install the add-on go to the Honey website Honey
and click the add button to add it to your web browser. Click continue to installation and then click the add button.
You will receive a notification that Honey was added. Click Okay.
Honey will be displayed as an H on the address bar. After installation click the icon and then click the people icon at the bottom to create your account. Enter your email address and choose a password.
You will have the opportunity to read the terms of service and the privacy policy at that time. Once you are ready to agree check the agree box and click agree and complete setup.
The Honey icon will turn orange when you are shopping online if that website supports Honey. If a coupon is found for that site the icon will be lit up in green. A number will indicate the number of coupons found.
Click the Honey icon and next to the coupon it will display the last time the coupon code worked. Select a coupon from the list to copy the code.
If no coupon codes or better prices elsewhere are located Honey will notify you that the best price has been found.
Gold Rewards
With Honey you earn gold points on eligible purchases. The rewards can be redeemed as cash back or store gift cards. Not all stores that support the Honey add-on offer points.
If a website does offer Gold Rewards you will see it listed in the browser extension.
Click the activate button to activate your Gold Points.
When you checkout click apply coupons and your gold rewards will be activated.
There are exclusions and you can only earn gold points for eligible purchases.
Honey Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and user friendly
- Saves time & money by automatically searching for and finding working coupon codes
- Can be used at many online retailers
- Offers discounts on travel
- Easy to install
- Works with most major browsers
Cons
- Does collect some personal information
- Sometimes offers discounts and coupon codes that have expired
- Some reports of the app crashing occasionally
All three of these tools can help you save money while shopping online and since they are free there is no reason not to use them.
The Tech Minimalist 