How to Save While Shopping on Amazon
Updated October 13, 2020
Published July 20, 2020
While many of us have found ourselves at home more than ever before, we’ve fallen into the same patterns. We’ve run out of things to fix around the home, completed endless do it yourself (DIY) projects, perfected our bread making skills, potted one too many plants, and have finally reached the dangerous slope of online shopping. With Amazon leading the pack of online shopping vendors, they created a system that makes it so easy that we don’t even think twice when pressing the complete order button. Since I’m just as guilty of this, I decided to share a few different ways we could all save while shopping on Amazon.
Amazon Prime Day 2020
Amazons biggest two-day event officially kicked off today, October 13, 2020! Exclusively for Amazon Prime Members, the savings event first kicked off five years ago in celebration of Amazon's 20th anniversary where you can find mega deals on thousands of top-selling items. If you're already planning for the holidays, or if you've been eyeballing a few items for yourself, this is the perfect shopping opportunity. If you aren't an Amazon Prime member but want to take advantage of this money-saving event, you can learn more here. Amazon Prime membership costs $119 for the year or $12.99 per month, or you can take advantage of Amazon Prime's 30-day free trial.
Sharing is Caring
Share your Amazon Prime account or see if a family member, roommate, partner, or friend that owns a Prime account is willing to split the membership. With Prime, you get free same day or two-day shipping, unlimited music/movies and TV/books, mega-deals with Prime Day, Prime Pantry, and so much more. If you’re not ready to commit yourself to Amazon by purchasing a Prime account, you’re not alone. You could always sign up for a 30-day free trial to explore the perks with no obligation to purchase a membership.
Dive into Amazon Warehouse
If you don’t mind refurbished or open-box deals, Amazon Warehouse might be the place for you. Score thousands of deals on items that have been returned - mostly technology and gadgets - for a fraction of the price. When an item is returned to Amazon, it goes through a series of inspections to see if it’s ok to resell. After a 20-point inspection of in-depth cleaning and repairs, it will be placed on a grading scale from good to excellent. Amazon also provides detail on the overall condition of the item before you buy. As a bonus, Amazon Warehouse items are available for Prime shipping.
Explore Amazon Outlet
Amazon Outlet is a recent discovery I’ve made. Unlike Amazon Warehouse, Amazon Outlet is your source for overstocked, marked down, and unused items in all categories. Just like an outlet store, browse out of season, overproduced items at a cheaper price. From kitchen gadgets, backyard tools, baby clothes, and more find what you need at a marked-down price. They even offer a “$10 and Under” option for greater savings.
Subscribe and Save on Amazon
If you purchase your everyday essentials online, you might be interested in Amazon's subscribe and save option. Setting up regularly scheduled deliveries not only become convenient for you, but they also can help you save more money with up to 15% off your orders. Customize the quantity of your order and a schedule that works best for you and never run out of your essentials again.
Find Amazon Coupons
Yes, even Amazon has coupons! When looking at an item on the site, check below the price to see if you have a “clip coupon” option to save even more. For instance, I recently decided to purchase an electric kettle. I shopped around comparing prices, and finally found one I liked. Not only was it in my price range, but it also offered a $4 off coupon. All I had to do was click the “clip coupon” checkbox within the listing, and it automatically applied when I checked out. I also picked the “no rush” shipping method, and Amazon rewarded me with additional credit to my account!
Credit Cards and Accounts at Neighborhood Credit Union
Credit Cards
The newest addition to the credit card line up is Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card. With 1.50% cashback on purchases2, this is the first cash back rewards credit card Neighborhood Credit Union has offered. Enjoy no balance transfer fees, no annual fees, a variable interest rate, and cash back on all purchases every day. Our Platinum Credit Card currently offers 1.99 intro rate for 6 months3 on purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances. Never pay a balance transfer fee, annual fee, and enjoy a variable interest rate.
Checking Accounts at Neighborhood Credit Union
Get free checking with high-yield interest when you apply for a Kasasa Cash checking. With Kasasa Cash, you’ll also earn 4.00 interest on up to $50,000 account balance and ATM withdrawal fee refunds4. Our Kasasa Cash Back checking earns3.00cash back on purchases for a maximum of $9 each month and ATM withdrawal fee refunds5. The Neighborhood Credit Union Priority Checking (previously known as Choice Checking) account allows members to get cash back rewards and overdraft fee forgiveness6. Finally, Fresh Start Checking is perfect for someone who doesn’t have the “perfect” checking history. Fresh Start is for those who have had closures at other financial institutions, problems with ChexSystems, or have been denied a checking account due to banking history7.
Compare the accounts on our site today to find the right fit for you. Apply today!
As we continue with this new normal, I hope the tips and tricks I listed help you save on your next Amazon shopping binge. Share the love when it comes to an Amazon Prime account, check out both Amazon Warehouse and Amazon Outlet, subscribe and save on regular purchases, take advantage of Amazon coupons, and activate Neighborhood Credit Union’s Amazon cash back offer. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save.
1 Qualified purchases must be made during the promotional period of July 1, 2020 – July 31, 2020 to be eligible for the Amazon.com rebate. 2% cash back (up to $25) will be issued to cardholders who complete transactions at Amazon.com during the promotional period (minimum $50 total spend) and activate this offer by July 31, 2020. Limit one rebate per account for a maximum rebate of $25. Credit Union shall determine which purchases qualify. Balance transfers, cash advances, statement or convenience checks, returns, finance charges, fees, and foreign transaction currency conversion charges do not qualify toward rebate. Amazon.com purchases include those made through the Amazon.com checkout, including digital downloads, Amazon.com gift cards, Amazon Fresh orders, Amazon Local Deals and Amazon Prime subscriptions and items sold by third party merchants through Amazon.com’s marketplace. This offer expires July 31, 2020. If you qualify, your rebate credit will be posted to your account within 8 weeks of promotion end date. Account must be open and in good standing at time of rebate posting. Offer valid only for the account referenced in the email communication and is not transferable.
2Must be 18 years or older to apply. Applicants under the age of 21 may require a co-signer unless independent means of repayment can be established. Minimum credit line is $5,000. APR based on creditworthiness. Rates are variable and subject to change and will be calculated based on the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate and may go up to a maximum of 18.00%. Minimum payment is 3% of total new balance or $35.00, whichever is greater. Cash advance fee is $10 or 3.00% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Late and returned payment fee: up to $35. A Foreign Transaction fee of 2.00% will be applied in US Dollars to each transaction conducted outside of the United States. No balance transfer fees. Additional limitations, terms and conditions may apply. Equal Opportunity Lender.
3 Must be 18 years or older to apply. Applicants under the age of 21 may require a co-signer unless independent means of repayment can be established. Introductory APR only applicable to new credit card applications. 1.99% Introductory APR for 6 months from issuance of the card on balance transfers and purchases. After the introductory period, APR will be adjusted based on creditworthiness and balance transfer fee will be at 3%. Rates are variable and subject to change and will be calculated based on the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate and may go up to a maximum of 18.00%. Minimum payment is 3% of total new balance or $35.00, whichever is greater. Cash advance fee is $10 or 3.00% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Late and returned payment fee: up to $35. A Foreign Transaction fee of 2.00% will be applied in US Dollars to each transaction conducted outside of the United States. Additional limitations, terms and conditions may apply. Equal Opportunity Lender.
4 APY = Annual Percentage Yield. High-Yield Checking qualifications that must be met to obtain the Higher Interest Rate and ATM Withdrawal and Inquiry Fee refunds include: 1. Fifteen (15) individual or combined debit card or credit card transactions of at least $5.00 or more each (transactions may take more than one day to post/settle to your account) (Does not include RelyOn CU Credit Cards); AND 2. Have an aggregate of ACH direct deposits totaling $500 or more post and settle each qualifying cycle; AND 3. Sign up and agree to receive eStatements and decline paper statements. ATM transactions or transfers between accounts not valid for qualifying. Qualifying transactions must post to and settle account during monthly qualification cycle Qualification Cycle and Statement Cycle = the first day of the month through the last day of the month. If qualifications are met each monthly qualification cycle: (a) Domestic ATM withdrawal and inquiry fees incurred during qualification cycle will be reimbursed up to an aggregate of $15 and credited to account on the last day of monthly statement cycle; (b) balances up to $50,000 receive APY of 4.00%; and (c) balances over $50,000 earn 0.10% APY on portion of balance over $50,000, resulting in 4.00% to 1.40% APY depending on the balance. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.01% APY. Minimum to open is $100. Account is free from a monthly service fee, other fees may apply. Fees may reduce earnings (see fee schedule). Limit one account per household. Federally Insured by NCUA.
5 Cash Back Checking qualifications that must be met to obtain cash back rewards and ATM Withdrawal and Inquiry Fee refunds include: 1. Fifteen (15) individual or combined debit card or credit card transactions of at least $5.00 or more each (transactions may take more than one day to post/settle to your account) (Does not include RelyOn CU Credit Cards); AND 2. Have an aggregate of ACH direct deposits totaling $500 or more post and settle each qualifying cycle; AND 3. Sign up and agree to receive eStatements and decline paper statements. ATM transactions or transfers between accounts not valid for qualifying. Qualifying transactions must post to and settle account during monthly qualification cycle. Qualification Cycle and Statement cycle = first day of month through last day of month. If qualifications are met each monthly qualification cycle: (a) Domestic ATM withdrawal and inquiry fees incurred during qualification cycle will be reimbursed up to an aggregate of $15 and credited to account on the last day of monthly statement cycle; and (b) you will receive 3% cash back on purchases up to $200 for a total of $6 per month on combined debit and credit card purchases. If qualifications are not met, no cash back payments are made and ATM withdrawal fees are not refunded. Minimum to open is $25. Account is free from a monthly service fee, other fees may apply. Fees may reduce earnings (see fee schedule). Limit one account per household. Federally Insured by NCUA.
6Restrictions apply. Priority Checking begins with a $11.99 base service charge monthly fee that can be reduced or eliminated. The fee is reduced by $1.00 each Monthly Qualification Cycle for receiving electronic statements. The fee is reduced by $.20 each time you use your debit card to make a signature-based purchase during the Monthly Qualification Cycle (purchase must be $5 or more; ATM and PIN based transactions are excluded). Qualification Cycle and Statement Cycle = the first day of the month through the last day of the month. Transactions may take one or more banking days from the date the transaction was made to post to and settle account. See the Fee Schedule here. **Overdraft Fee Forgiveness applies only to fees charged for overdraft and Courtesy Pay and is granted upon request on an annual basis. Relationship Fee refunds received during the calendar year will count toward the annual limit of $40.
Amazon is not a sponsor of this promotion. Amazon, Amazon.com, Amazon Prime, the Amazon.com logo, the Amazon Prime logo and the smile logo are registered trademarks of Amazon.com Inc. or its Affiliates.
Skyler has been a Marketing Content Specialist at Neighborhood Credit Union since 2019.
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