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How to Save Money and Get Freebies Using the Internet

Part 1: Discount Shopping

By Lisa Marie Metzler

My experience with online shopping has been quite good. However, I have had some canceled orders and my credit card was over-charged once. These situations were resolved quickly because I kept records of my transactions. Some tips I have learned along the way are:

1. Make sure the site you are shopping on is secure. A secured site encrypts your personal information, including credit card numbers. Check out the security/privacy statement at the site. My browser has a feature that displays a padlock on my tool bar to signify I'm on a secured site.
2. Print out your online receipt. This is your record of your transaction. Every online retailer I have purchased from also sent an e-mail confirmation of the sale.
3. Jot down the customer service number on your printout. In the event you have a problem, the number will be handy to correct the error.
4. Read your credit card statement when it arrives. Compare the amount charged on your statement with the amount from your online receipt. Report any errors to the online retailer immediately. Many credit card companies are online as well. You can track your transaction history and catch any errors right away.
5. To keep all my passwords and login names organized, I keep an index card file. Online retailers are alphabetized and my passwords and login names are easy to access.

The next time you're in the market for a gift, an item for the home or just a little something for yourself, check out the discount shopping code sites first. A little bit of "homework" can yield substantial savings for you.