What’s Your Advice For Online Shopping?

Q: What’s your advice for online shopping?

Rachel’s Answer:

Everybody’s shopping online these days. You almost forget that there are still malls out there that sell stuff too!

Most of us choose to buy smaller things online, like books, movies and clothes. But even though it’s convenient, the cost of these items can add up quickly.

To keep your online shopping in check, make sure you treat it like anything else in your budget. Put it in the budget, and stick to it. If you buy a new scarf for the fall, then take that out of your clothing budget.

One of the great things about online shopping is that you can easily comparison shop. Check out Amazon, Craigslist, Etsy and your favorite retailers to find the best deal.

While you’re there, sign up for their emails—if you don’t mind adding to your email load. Most retailers send out emails to let you know when sales and special deals are going on. But if you can’t afford to buy, then don’t even open the email. Delete it!

While you’re shopping, be sure to watch your online “cart”. You can spend hundreds of dollars with just a few clicks of your mouse. It’s ridiculously easy. So be careful and keep track of what you’re spending.

Don’t let the convenience of online shopping ruin your financial plan. Use it to your advantage and don’t let it become a problem.

Rachel Cruze Growing up as Dave Ramsey's kid, Rachel Cruze learned the basic principles of money at an early age. She travels across the country teaching those same principles, in a personal and passionate message of money and hope, to teens and young adults. To find out more about Rachel, visit www.daveramsey.com/speakers or follow her on Twitter at @RachelCruze.