Even though it already offers some pretty heavy discounts, people always want to know new ways to save money on Amazon. To meet that demand, here are some options for how to make online shopping even more affordable. Read below about these six ways to save money on Amazon.

1. Take advantage of Amazon Warehouse

Getting something that’s absolutely perfect is ideal, but buying something that’s slightly less than perfect is usually a lot cheaper. The products that don’t meet Amazon’s intense, mint condition quality standards get shipped off to Amazon Warehouse, where you can find major bargains.

There are five categories in which Amazon places items that are ineligible for the main site: “new” (never been opened but the packaging is damaged), “like new” (someone returned it immediately after buying for no particular reason), “very good” (some cosmetic damage, but the product is totally in working order), “good” (large cosmetic damage or missing accessories) and “acceptable” (signs of fairly substantial wear).

As the quality of the package goes down, so do the prices. “New” products are hard to find but there are plenty of “like new” and “very good” items available if you hunt around. Amazon doesn’t publicize Amazon Warehouse for pretty obvious reasons, so it isn’t particularly easy to find. But this extensive article on Debt Roundup shows you where to go and answers most other questions you might have.

2. Subscribe and save

If you buy household items from Amazon on a regular basis, you will immediately start to save money on Amazon with this tip. The Subscribe and Save section for everyday items offers a 15% discount on a lot of different products like razors, toothpaste, pens and a much, much more. This can help you save money on Amazon to the tune of hundreds or even thousands, depending on how much you shop, so I would highly recommend checking it out.

3. Sell back items (especially textbooks)

The internet giant makes it very easy to save money on Amazon by offering you the chance to sell products that you don’t want or need anymore to other customers. The biggest success stories for making your money back are with textbooks, the outrageously priced necessities for basically any college student. Amazon eases the pain of the ridiculous prices by letting you buy and sell your textbooks from fellow students from across the globe. Here is where you can sign up to become an Amazon seller.

4. Subscribe to Amazon emails

You probably wouldn’t prefer to clutter up your inbox further, but if you seriously want to save money on Amazon, then you should at least consider subscribing to their email newsletter. You can do that on this page and choose what categories you want to be updated about. I would lean towards only subscribing to the categories that you regular shop on Amazon for. Otherwise, you’ll quickly get overloaded with emails. However, you can of course always unsubscribe at any time.

5. Utilize your wish list

This is a big one. A wish list is one of the biggest assets Amazon offers its customers. It’s a totally win-win option. Amazon earns your loyalty by giving you a great way to keep track of the changing prices of items you’re interested in purchasing at some point, and you have a central hub that shows you opportunities to save money on Amazon. A smart shopper uses wish lists to save money on Amazon and make it more convenient to buy the things they want.

6. Hop on CamelCamelCamel

One of the best services around if you want to save money on Amazon is the website CamelCamelCamel, an Amazon price tracker that alerts you when prices drop for specific items. CamelCamelCamel also offers price history charts that show you how their costs have fluctuated over a long period of time for products, so that you can get an idea of exactly when the right time to buy is. The Everything Store itself offers you a lot of ways to save money on Amazon, but services like CamelCamelCamel make it even easier to get the best possible deal.

Featured photo credit: Online Shopping/Tim Reckmann via flickr.com

Ever wondered whether your credit card debt is the reason you’re in a bad financial situation? You can’t enjoy any fun activities because a good chunk of your money goes toward debt payment. Heck, you’re even behind on some of your monthly bills.

The effects of clumsy debt management are too many to list here. This guide is going to help you discover how to pay off credit card debt fast and start chasing your financial goals.

Debt problems are the last thing anyone wants to encounter. But things can get out of hand when all the “little debts” you take accumulate in interests.

What if you knew some simple and proven ways to be debt-free quickly? Implementing them would mean better financial health for you. It becomes possible to free up cash for your “wants.” These include taking a trip or buying something you’ve always desired. All that while paying your bills on time!

Let’s not wait any longer. Here are 7 powerful tips for paying off credit card debt fast:

1. Pay More Than the Minimum Credit Card Payments

Many people only pay the monthly minimum on their credit cards. Truly, that’s the right amount for staying on good terms with your credit card company. But you need a different approach if you’re looking to achieve financial independence within a short time.^[1]

Most of your payments go toward interest costs when you only pay the minimum amount. A substantial sum of your balance remains standing. As a result, it becomes more expensive to eliminate your debts.

You don’t want to wait more than 10 years to get rid of debt while it’s possible to do it sooner. All you have to do is double that $100 minimum payment to $200 or go higher.

The good thing is that minimum credit card payments are affordable in most cases. By paying a higher amount, you reduce your interest costs, lessen your borrowing period, and boost your credit score.

2. Start With High-Interest Credit Card Debt

If you have more than one credit card debt, prioritize putting the extra money toward the ones with the highest interests. This debt pay-off strategy, known as the debt avalanche method, is essential for being debt-free quickly.^[2]

First, you need to list down all the credit card debts you have in the order of their interest rates. Next, you choose the one with the highest interest and pay a significant amount toward it each month. It can be an amount twice or even thrice larger than the minimum payment.

At the same time, you make monthly minimum payments on the other debts. Their interest charges won’t be as costly as that of the first debt on your list. You only move on to the next high-interest debt after the first one is gone. Remember that your focus is on the interest rates and not the balances.

3. Revisit Your Budget

Budgeting is useful for tracking your financial moves. Once you create a budget, some tweaks along the way can make it work for you better. One situation that requires you to revisit your budget is when you’re struggling with debts. It might hurt a bit to slash some expenses. But you also don’t want to miss out on achieving financial freedom in the long run.

You can reduce some variable expenses to free up more cash for credit card debt payments. They’re the ones that change from time to time. Some examples are groceries, fuel, and clothing.

Other opportunities for cutting down your spending lie in non-essential expenses. Instead of dining out all the time, you can cook at home more to save money. You can also share some subscriptions with friends and pay a fraction of the cost.

If you’re determined enough, you can eliminate all your unnecessary expenses and focus on paying off your credit card debt first.

4. Avoid Using Your Credit Cards

Do you want to know how to pay off credit card debt with a low income? One simple way is to stop using them. Having your credit cards everywhere you go means that you’ll be more tempted to buy unnecessary stuff. In this case, you spend money that you don’t really own and get deeper into debt.

The quickest fix to stop the debt build-up is spending with cash. You’ll be more aware of everything you can afford at any particular time. If you decide to keep one or two cards to ease the transition, always make wise choices. For instance, only use them when experiencing financial difficulties.

It’s best to categorize your fun activities under “discretionary spending” in your budget. This way, you won’t need more debt to kill your boredom. By halting your credit debt from accumulating, it’s easy to pay down what you already owe and be happy with the progress.

5. Start a Side Hustle to Boost Your Income

You’re probably turning away a lot of money by not monetizing your skills. Everyone has something that they’re good at doing. And you can use that to generate extra income for attacking your credit card debt.

If you look around your neighborhood, you can find several side hustle opportunities. It can be pet sitting, tutoring, or lawn mowing. You can start an online business by offering services such as digital marketing, content creation, and web development. Such skills go in high demand on freelance sites and job boards.

Finding clients on social media is also a good strategy to utilize your skills and make more money. Facebook groups, Quora Spaces, and subreddits are some places to look for side jobs. You only have to join a niche-specific platform, share your services, and respond to any opportunities.

It’s possible to learn a skill, practice it, and earn from it. Use the free resources online or purchase some e-courses to get started.

6. Sell Your Used Items for Extra Cash

Starting a side hustle isn’t the only way to generate extra money. You can turn unwanted items into cash for paying off credit card debt. Whether it’s an old TV, book, or furniture, there is always someone itching to buy your used stuff.

A garage sale, as much as it’s old-fashioned, is perfect for getting your neighbors and passers-by to buy from you. You keep all the money because there are no business permits or taxes involved. While you may not make much cash, it’s better than leaving your stuff to go defunct in your storage.

Other than that, you can sell your used stuff on online marketplaces. Facebook groups are great places to start if you want quick approvals and hence sales. You only have to ensure that your listing follows Facebook’s commerce policies.

When selling any pre-owned items online, ensure they’re in good shape to avoid problems with your buyers.

7. Know When to Seek Help With Your Debt

Asking for help with your credit card debt can be challenging to do. But letting it drown you is a road you don’t want to take. While you may feel embarrassed at first, it’s the best way to get back on track when you run out of options.

There are tons of non-profit credit counseling organizations that can offer you free guidance on how to escape the debt trap. An example is The National Foundation for Credit Counseling. They simply review your finances and help you determine the source of your financial problems. After that, they match you with an actionable debt management solution.^[3]

In extreme cases, the debt solution can be:

• Debt relief – where your debt is partially or wholly forgiven
• Debt consolidation – taking out one loan to repay others
• Debt settlement – the creditor forgives a significant portion of your debt
• Bankruptcy – legal process for seeking relief from some or all your debts

It’s necessary to carefully weigh your options before deciding on the way to go. Find out how it might affect your credit score and any other risks.

Wrapping It Up

Debt is a major setback when you’re trying to prosper in life. Paying off credit card debt is essential if you want to reach your financial goals. That means having more free income, a good credit card score, and even a chance to retire early. You become more productive each day because of the peace in your mind.

So, you now have some tips on how to pay off credit fast. Go ahead and get rid of that good life progress killer!

More Tips on How to Pay Off Debt

• These 6 Practical Solutions Could Help You Pay off Debt Sooner
• 5 Things to Do When You Are Buried in Debt
• How to Pay off Debt Fast Using the Stack Method (A Step-By-Step Guide)

Featured photo credit: rupixen.com via unsplash.com