Who doesn’t love saving money? Shopping is fun, but those price tags can sometimes make your wallet cringe. The truth is, retailers have all kinds of tactics to make you spend more, and they’ll rarely tell you how to game the system. But here’s the good news: there are tons of insider secrets that can help you stretch your money while still snagging everything on your list. From knowing when to shop to using tools that retailers hope you don’t even know exist, there are plenty of ways to make smarter, savvier purchases. Want to learn how to keep more cash in your pocket while still scoring the best deals? Keep reading—we’re about to spill the secrets retailers don’t want you to know!

Timing Is Everything

One of the best ways to save money is to shop at the right time. Retailers have specific patterns for marking down items, and if you shop smart, you can take advantage of these cycles.

End-of-Season Sales

Ever notice how swimsuits and summer dresses are on sale just as the weather starts cooling down? It’s because stores need to clear out inventory to make room for the next season. Shop for winter coats at the start of spring, or stock up on summer gear when autumn rolls around. Waiting until the season changes can land you discounts of 50% or more.

Day-Specific Sales

Believe it or not, certain days of the week are better for shopping than others. For example, groceries are often cheapest on Wednesdays because many supermarkets begin new sales cycles that day. For clothing and household items, weekdays tend to have better deals than weekends since stores try to attract shoppers during slower periods.

Holidays and Special Events

Sales don’t just happen during Black Friday. Watch for discounts around lesser-known events like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, or even back-to-school season. Also, if you can wait, post-holiday sales are goldmines for snagging gifts, decor, and seasonal items at insanely low prices. For example, holiday-themed items like Christmas lights or Halloween costumes can drop to as much as 70-90% off right after the holiday ends. Planning ahead and buying off-season can save you big bucks.

Take Advantage of Price Matching

Ever wonder if the price you’re paying is really the best deal? Here’s a tip most retailers don’t advertise widely: many of them offer price matching! This means that if you find an identical item for a lower price at a competing store, they’ll match the competitor’s price.

For example, big-box stores like Target and Walmart have price-matching policies for local competitors and even certain online retailers. Some stores, such as Best Buy, extend this to products listed on platforms like Amazon. To use price matching, simply show proof of the lower price—like a print ad, website link, or screenshot—to the cashier or customer service rep before you check out.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for price drops after you make a purchase. Some stores offer price adjustments, meaning if the price of the item you bought goes down within a certain time frame (like 14 days), they’ll refund you the difference. Make sure to ask about this, as it can save you money without any effort.

Use Cashback Apps and Browser Extensions

We all love getting a little something back, right? Cashback apps and browser extensions make it easy to earn money while you shop, and they’re tools retailers would rather you forget to use.

Popular cashback platforms like Rakuten and Ibotta give you a percentage of your purchase back in the form of cash or gift cards. All you have to do is shop through their app or website for participating brands. For example, if you’re buying makeup from a major retailer, you could earn 5-10% cashback just by starting your purchase through Rakuten.

Browser extensions like Honey or Capital One Shopping go the extra mile by automatically searching for coupon codes and deals while you shop online. With Honey, you simply add the extension to your browser, and it’ll notify you if it finds a discount code. Capital One Shopping, meanwhile, compares prices across multiple retailers to make sure you’re not overpaying.

Pro tip: Combine cashback apps with store promotions or sales for maximum savings! For example, stack a retailer’s 20% off sale with a 5% cashback reward to stretch your dollar even further.

Decode Pricing Tricks

Retailers are sneaky when it comes to pricing, and understanding these tricks can make a big difference in how much you spend. Here are some common strategies they use and how to outsmart them.

  • The 99-Cent Trick
  • You’ve surely seen prices that end in .99 or .95, right? This is no accident. Research shows that people perceive these prices as much lower than they actually are. For example, $19.99 feels worlds away from $20, even though it’s just a penny difference. The fix? Round up in your head! If an item feels just as expensive when you round it up, maybe it’s not the best deal.
  • Bright Red Tags
  • Bright sale tags or displays that scream “SALE!” might not always mean items are discounted. Sometimes, stores simply use bright signage to grab attention—even if the price hasn’t been reduced. Always double-check the original price or compare it elsewhere to confirm you’re getting an actual deal.
  • Endcap Traps
  • Ever notice those enticing displays at the end of aisles? These are prime “impulse buy” zones. Retailers put products there they want you to notice, not necessarily because they’re on sale or the best deals. Stick to your shopping list and avoid being lured in by clever displays.
  • Bulk Isn’t Always Better
  • Buying in bulk can save money, but not always. Break down the price per unit (for example, per ounce or per item) to see if you’re genuinely saving or just buying more than you need.

Make the Most of Loyalty Programs

Retailer loyalty programs are one of the easiest ways to save money, yet many people don’t take full advantage of them. Signing up for these programs is usually free, and the perks can be amazing.

  • Points and Rewards
  • Most loyalty programs give you points or cash back for every dollar you spend, which can eventually be redeemed for discounts or free items. For instance, Starbucks’ rewards program lets you earn stars for every coffee you buy, and you can redeem those stars for free drinks. Many grocery stores have similar programs where you can rack up savings on future grocery trips.
  • Exclusive Discounts
  • Loyalty members often get access to special sales, coupons, or even early shopping events. Some programs will even give you a percentage off your total for signing up or during your birthday month. For example, Sephora’s Beauty Insider program offers free products and discounts tailor-made for your account.
  • Personalized Offers
  • Signing up for a loyalty program means stores can track your shopping habits. While that might sound a little creepy, it often works to your benefit. Once retailers know what you like, they’ll send you tailored discounts and offers for those items.

Pro tip: Use a dedicated email address for loyalty programs so your main inbox doesn’t get overwhelmed with promotional offers.