3 Best Shopping Websites and Apps of 2016
Improved tools to help you save money using your smartphone or computer.
The picks below are part of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s annual Best List, a roundup of the best values in all the areas we cover – from funds, stocks and ETFs to credit cards and bank accounts to cars, college, kid stuff, phone plans, travel and health. Discover all our Best List picks here.
Website for cash back
Create a free account at eBates.com, then click on any of the site’s more than 2,000 retail partners, recently ranging from Amazon to Zulily. How much you’ll earn back depends on how much you spend and where you shop. For example, eBates recently offered 1% back on Best Buy purchases and up to 10% back at Expedia. You’ll receive a check or PayPal payment every three months as long as you’ve earned more than $5.
Single-store app
Target’s Cartwheel app helps you save on everything from food to clothing to health-and-beauty aids. Download the app to your phone, then scan the bar codes of items at the store as you add them to your cart to find and select app-only savings offers. Display the Cartwheel bar code on your phone at checkout to claim your savings.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Multi-store app
ShopSavvy helps you quickly spot better prices at other retailers while you’re out shopping. Use your phone to scan the bar codes of items you’re planning to purchase, and the app will show you how much each item costs at local stores and online retailers. You’ll also see reviews from other shoppers.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Farewell Paper I-Bonds: Savings Bonds Are Going Online-Only
The last remaining way to buy a paper savings bond in the U.S. (with your income tax refund) won't be available from January 2025. Tax filers will still be able to buy I-bonds online, however.
By Lisa Gerstner Published
-
Is Medicare a Good Reason to Wait Until 65 to Retire?
The average retirement age is 62, but many people wait until Medicare starts at 65. Should health care be the key driver of your retirement date?
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA® Published
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime Day
Smart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
By Andrea Browne Taylor Last updated
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental Properties
Travel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
By Cameron Huddleston Last updated
-
How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and More
Travel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
By Cameron Huddleston Last updated
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards October 2024
Smart Buying Trying to compare the best cash back credit cards? Unlike most reviewers, we include cards from small banks and credit unions, as well as from large issuers.
By Ellen Kennedy Last updated
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career Skills
Smart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
By Kim Clark Published
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?
Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge Discounts
Smart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup Means
Smart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
By Bob Niedt Published