Everyday Tips from the ComputerMom 

December 2012
 
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Hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving - I know I did, although I have to close my eyes whenever I step on the scale!

People often ask me to help them with online shopping, and so with the holiday season upon us I am sending you a single-topic issue with some tips for both staying safe while shopping and saving a few bucks.

By the way, with all the confusing but hot new technology on the market this year, feel free to call or email with questions about technology purchases. And of course I can assist you with setting things up, migrating to new systems, and learning how to use your new toys. 

Here's hoping that everybody has a warm and wonderful holiday season!

Regards,
 
Julie Marto 
508-359-8176
www.thecomputermom.com
www.facebook.com/thecomputermom

p.s. Your college student just might bring home a dirty computer along with that big bag of laundry! If you are hearing complaints, drop it off for my 24 hour flat-rate virus removal and system optimization.
HTTPS and Padlock
 
Shopping 101 - Safe Shopping Online 

People often ask me if it's safe to shop on the internet - if you follow my tips, it's a lot safer than the parking lot at Legacy Place!  Over the Thanksgiving holiday I published an in-depth blog post at the Medfield Patch on this topic - click here to read the entire article. From my perspective the most important tips are:    
  • Make sure any website where you enter your personal data is a secure, encrypted site - look for https in the web address and a padlock somewhere on the page 
  • NEVER use a debit card to shop online - your available funds could be wiped out if your account information is stolen.
  • Set up a separate email account just for shopping, to keep your regular inbox free from junk emails and spam
Other tips include shopping at recognizable sites and checking your credit card accounts frequently.  Shopping online is convenient and cost effective, so do it safely and enjoy the benefits!
 
 
 
Google Search Shopping 102 - How do I get a deal?

Anybody who knows me knows I love to get a good price online.  It's funny - I don't mind paying full retail at my local stores and shops, where I want to support local businesses and contribute to the vibrancy of my hometown. But get me online and I am a rapacious bargain shopper, willing to go all out to get the best deal!

So, how do I go about getting the best deal online?  Here are the steps I take:
  • Google is your best friend!  I never buy anything without doing a quick search to check if I can find it for a lower price, or if there is a coupon/discount code for the store where I am shopping.  You would be amazed how often you can lower your price on an item simply by doing a quick Google search for "(store name here) coupon codes"!  Bonus tip - search more than once using different phrases. It's surprising how much your results can differ! 
  • Join deal shopping sites and set up notifications for items you want to buy.  I use www.slickdeals.net and www.fatwallet.com but there are a bunch of other sites out there.  Let's say you want to buy someone an Ipad for Christmas - you can set up a deal notification for Ipad and get an email alert whenever there is any type of sale or special. Just act quickly, hot deals at these sites tend to sell out fast!
  • However, if the deal isn't incredible, don't press "purchase" just yet!  Or, if you are planning to buy more than one item at a store, try buying just one item first.  Online retailers often send extra discount coupons to people who have an item in their cart but haven't actually committed to purchasing, or to customers who buy one item in order to entice them to purchase more from the store.  So play their game a bit, and see if they will tempt you with a greater discount!
Advanced Shopping 201 - Cash Back! Cash Back

Did you know you can get anywhere from 1% to 15% or more back on many online purchases if you just click through a cash back site  before you begin shopping?  It doesn't sound like much but over time it can really add up!  I use FatWallet, but there are many others out there such as Ebates and ShopAtHome.  Additionally you can click through many credit cards sites such as Chase, Bank of America, and American Express for cash back or extra negotiated discounts.  Check your credit cards or bank for their policies, don't leave money on the table!

By the way, the picture in this article is my actual cash back statement from FatWallet.  If you can't see the picture, click on "show images" or the "having trouble viewing this email" link at the top of this email.