Frugal Friends Podcast Episode Title: How to Save Money on Online Shopping
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Hosts: Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In Episode 504 of the Frugal Friends Podcast, hosts Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni delve into effective strategies for saving money on online shopping. With a focus on frugality, minimalism, debt reduction, and financial independence, Jen and Jill provide listeners with actionable tips to control their spending in the vast realm of online retail. The episode is rich with insights, practical advice, and engaging anecdotes, all aimed at helping listeners make informed and guilt-free purchasing decisions.

Notable Quote:
[00:08] Jill: "Welcome to the Frugal Friends podcast where you'll learn to save money, embrace simplicity and live a richer life."

Understanding Online Shopping Trends

Jen begins the episode by setting the stage with statistics from 2024, highlighting where U.S. consumers are primarily directing their online shopping dollars:

• 43% on clothing
• 33% on shoes
• 30% on consumer electronics (e.g., smartphones, laptops, smart home devices)
• 28% on entertainment (e.g., books, movies, music, games)
• 25% on personal care products (e.g., skincare, makeup, hygiene items)

Notable Quote:
[02:06] Jen: "In 2024, US consumers primarily spent their online shopping dollars in specific categories."

Strategies to Save Money on Online Shopping

Jen and Jill categorize their money-saving strategies into four main sections: Free, Low Cost, Deals, and Guilt-Free. Each section addresses different aspects of online shopping, providing comprehensive methods to reduce expenses.

1. Free Options

Clothing and Shoes:

• Facebook Buy Nothing Groups: Locally focused groups where members can give away or swap items for free. Jen emphasizes the versatility of these groups, allowing both in-person and virtual exchanges.

  [05:00] Jen: "Buy nothing groups are local. You find them online, you talk about the things you have to offer and the things that you're in search of."

• Organizing Clothing Swaps: Jen shares her personal success with clothing swaps, mentioning how she obtained a free shirt and creatively transformed it.

  [07:29] Jen: "I've gotten this shirt that I am currently wearing. I got it for free at a clothing swap and then I bleached it."

Books:

• Libraries and Digital Platforms: Beyond borrowing, libraries offer sections for free book giveaways. Digital options like Hoopla, Libby, and Project Gutenberg provide free access to classic literature and audiobooks.

  [07:38] Jen: "Library isn't just for leasing or renting free books. Every library has a section that is literally giving away books as well."

• Free Trials for Audiobook Services: Utilizing promo links for Audible, Libro FM, and audiobooks.com can grant listeners free audiobooks. Jen advises canceling trials if not needed to avoid charges.

  [09:59] Jen: "If you love audiobooks, by all means keep going with it and you support the show at no extra cost to you."

Electronics:

• Product Testing and Review Programs: Sites like Best Buy and Tech Insider Network offer opportunities to receive free electronics in exchange for reviews.

  [10:14] Jill: "If you're super Techie, you would love the opportunity to try out some new tech... maybe have some stuff to resell eventually."

Personal Care:

• Samples and Freebies: Platforms like Pinch Me, Social Nature, and specific Reddit subreddits offer free samples. Additionally, engaging with Buy Nothing groups by requesting specific items can yield free personal care products.

  [13:46] Jill: "Make a post asking if anyone's decluttering their bathroom soon. Let me know."

2. Low-Cost Options

Clothing and Shoes:

• Secondhand Marketplaces:

  • Poshmark & Depop: Ideal for trendy and vintage items.
  • ThredUp: Extensive inventory for women's and kids' clothing.
  • Mercari & eBay: Great for casual and classic apparel.
  • Luxury Resale Sites: The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, Fashionphile, and Rebag specialize in designer and high-end items.

  [14:32] Jill: "One is for mainstream, somewhat trendy type fashion... and then you have Depop for gen Z Vibes, Y2K vintage streetwear."

Books:

• Used Booksellers: Platforms like Better World Books and Amazon’s used sections, along with local bookstores that offer used books online.

  [16:15] Jen: "Look for local bookstores that may have a used component and see if there's an option for buying online."

Electronics:

• Refurbished Electronics:

  • Back Market, Decluttr, Swappa, Gazelle: Offer refurbished phones, laptops, and tablets.
  • Open Box Items: Available from retailers like Best Buy, Amazon Warehouse, and Newegg, often paired with cashback opportunities via Rakuten.

  [17:15] Jill: "You can stack cash back with Rakuten and promo codes."

  [18:32] Jill: "On the big box stores. Which is awesome."

Personal Care:

• Marketplace Platforms: Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, and Amazon Warehouse for discounted personal care items.

• Caution Against Knockoffs: Jen warns about fraudulent products, especially for high-demand items like Olaplex shampoos.

  [10:54] Jen: "I'd rather pay for a half-used bottle of shampoo than something that looks brand new but isn't real."

3. Deals and Discounts

Cashback and Rebates:

• Rakuten: A browser extension that automatically applies rebates and deals to purchases. Jen and Jill encourage listeners to use their affiliate link for mutual benefits.

  [25:07] Jen: "Frugalfriendspodcast.com Rakuten is our link."

Deal Aggregator Websites:

• Brad’s Deals, RetailMeNot, Slickdeals, BlackFriday.com: These sites compile and present the best deals across various retailers, making it easier to find discounts.

  [26:00] Jen: "Brad's Deals aggregates deals across mostly Amazon, but like a lot of different retailers."

Timing Purchases:

• Black Friday Sales: Now starting as early as October, offering substantial discounts across numerous stores.

  [26:56] Jill: "Black Fridays, if you look at discounts... start in October at that week."

Abandoned Cart Discounts:

• Triggering Discounts: Leaving items in shopping carts can prompt retailers to offer discounts via emails or pop-ups to encourage purchase.

  [27:18] Jill: "If you leave an item in your cart, you're shopping online... you'll get some sort of abandoned cart discount."

Notable Quote:
[25:15] Jill: "Everyone's just winning."

4. Guilt-Free Purchases

Ethical and Value-Based Buying:

• Local and Sustainable Choices: Before purchasing at full price, Jen and Jill suggest considering local retailers or sustainable alternatives. Using tools like ChatGPT for recommendations or conducting local Google searches can aid in this process.

  [29:22] Jill: "If you can't get it for free, low cost, or get a deal on it, then ask."

Evaluating Value:

• Four Fs Framework: Assess purchases based on how they contribute to Family, Friends, Faith, and Fulfilling Work. This ensures spending aligns with personal values and priorities.

  [30:28] Jen: "If the purchase gets you more connection or time with your family or friends... then that is going to be a purchase that you can make at full price without guilt."

Wishlist and Delayed Gratification:

• Creating a Wishlist: Instead of impulsively adding items to the cart, Jen and Jill advocate for maintaining a wishlist and waiting 30 days before making a purchase decision. This reduces impulse buying and allows time for thoughtful consideration.

  [31:18] Jen: "Create a wish list that is separate from the shopping cart, waiting 30 days before buying it to avoid that impulse purchase."

Price per Use:

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluate how many times an item needs to be used to justify its cost. If the usage doesn’t meet the desired threshold, consider reselling or opting for a more affordable alternative.

  [31:18] Jen: "If I buy this, how many times do I have to use it to get to a price per use that I am comfortable with?"

Budgeting Tools:

• Upcoming Spreadsheet Launch: Jen announces the launch of a budget spreadsheet with an opportunity cost calculator, aiding listeners in making informed purchasing decisions by comparing price per use and potential investment losses.

  [32:40] Jen: "The budget spreadsheet is mobile optimized. So it's going to allow you to open the spreadsheet up and track transactions."

Engaging Listener Segments

Bill of the Week

Listeners share their success stories of negotiating deals or obtaining discounts. For example, Lisa from Boston secured a 50% discount on a productivity tool by simply asking for a freelance plan.

Notable Quote:
[35:33] Jill: "I love the it doesn't hurt to ask mantra. Let's all adopt it."

Lightning Round

A playful segment where Jen and Jill discuss personal shopping dilemmas, such as the ethics of buying used bathing suits. This segment adds a lighthearted touch while reinforcing the episode's themes on mindful purchasing.

Notable Quote:
[37:24] Jill: "I am trying... Should I get a used bathing suit? It is a debate."

Conclusion and Promotions

Jen and Jill wrap up the episode by promoting their book, "Buy What You Love Without Going Broke," encouraging listeners to leave reviews on Amazon. They highlight positive feedback from readers and emphasize the book’s alignment with the podcast’s mission to foster value-based spending habits.

Notable Quote:
[32:06] Jen: "If you're trying to save money, spend less, adopt minimalism, pay off debt or reach financial independence, we think you'll like the show."

They also tease their upcoming budget spreadsheet launch, offering listeners a 50% off coupon and reiterating the benefits of using such tools to enhance financial decision-making.

Notable Quote:
[44:27] Jen: "We are launching a budget spreadsheet next week, Monday, April..."

Final Thoughts

Episode 504 of the Frugal Friends Podcast is a comprehensive guide for listeners seeking to optimize their online shopping habits. Through a blend of statistical insights, practical strategies, and engaging conversations, Jen and Jill equip their audience with the tools necessary to make informed, value-driven purchasing decisions. Whether it's leveraging free resources, exploring secondhand marketplaces, capitalizing on deals, or ensuring guilt-free purchases, this episode serves as an invaluable resource for anyone aiming to enhance their financial well-being in the digital shopping landscape.

Listen to the full episode here.

For more resources and links mentioned in this episode, be sure to check out the upcoming Friend Letter scheduled for April 30.