We all know that one friend or family member who seems to have a sixth sense for saving money. Somehow, they always book flights for half the price you paid, walk out of the grocery store with a full cart for under $100, or manage to snag a brand-new laptop on sale when everyone else is paying full price.
It’s easy to chalk it up to luck – but it’s not luck. It’s a habit. The people who consistently find the best deals approach shopping and personal finance differently. They’ve trained themselves to think about money in ways that give them an edge.
The good news? You don’t need superpowers to do the same. With a few simple changes to your routine, you can start saving like the pros. Here are ten financial habits that people who always get the best deals practice regularly.
1. They Think in Budgets, Not Just Prices
Deal-hunters aren’t just chasing “cheap.” They look at how every purchase fits into their bigger financial picture. Before clicking “buy,” they ask: Does this fit my budget?
If it doesn’t, they wait. That’s why their savings are meaningful. It’s not about stacking up discount items they’ll never use; it’s about staying aligned with long-term goals.
2. They Always Look for Discounts
This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip it. The truth is, one of the easiest ways to save is by building the habit of pausing before you check out online.
The most important habit is simply checking for discounts on a site like Get Top Discounts before finalizing any online purchase. It only takes a few seconds, and the payoff can be huge over the course of a year.
It’s not glamorous, but that extra step is the difference between paying full price and saving hundreds without cutting back on what you actually enjoy.
3. They Compare Before They Commit
Here’s a simple reality: prices aren’t uniform. The exact same pair of shoes might be $60 at one retailer and $48 at another. Deal-savvy shoppers know this, and they make it a habit to compare prices before committing.
Sometimes that means checking a couple of sites manually, and sometimes it’s as easy as using a browser extension. Either way, they refuse to accept the first number they see as the final word.
4. They Stack Rewards and Cashback
Finding a coupon is great, but the real magic happens when you stack. Think coupon code + cashback app + credit card rewards all on the same purchase.
That $100 purchase? Suddenly it’s more like $80 when you layer those savings. People who are great at finding deals treat this like a game they can win, and the points, miles, and cashback they rack up often turn into free vacations, gift cards, or straight-up extra money in the bank.
5. They Shop with the Calendar in Mind
Have you ever noticed how the price of something drops right after you buy it? Savvy shoppers rarely have that problem because they’ve learned to play the sales cycles.
They know mattresses hit their lowest prices in May, electronics are cheapest around Black Friday, and summer clothing gets discounted in late August. Instead of buying on impulse, they plan. And planning almost always equals saving.
6. They Don’t Ignore Store Emails
Yes, marketing emails can be annoying – but buried inside are often exclusive coupons or “subscriber-only” deals. Smart shoppers don’t let those slip by.
The trick? They set up a separate email just for deals. That way, they can skim when they’re ready to shop without clogging their personal inbox. When it’s time to buy, they often have a 15% off code sitting there waiting.
7. They Use Tools, Not Just Memory
It’s tough to remember every coupon, sale, or cashback offer. Deal-finders don’t rely on memory – they use systems.
Apps and extensions do a lot of the heavy lifting now. Some automatically apply codes at checkout, others alert you when an item drops in price. By outsourcing the “remembering” to tools, shoppers can relax knowing they’re not leaving easy savings on the table.
8. They Buy in Bulk… When It Makes Sense
Bulk buying can be a trap if you’re not careful. (No one really needs 20 jars of salsa that expire next month.) But when used strategically, it’s one of the smartest ways to save.
Shoppers who know their habits stock up on the things they’ll definitely use – cleaning supplies, paper goods, pantry staples. They skip the bulk deals that would lead to waste. It’s not just about buying more; it’s about buying smarter.
9. They Aren’t Married to Brands
One of the quietest secrets to consistent savings? Flexibility. People who always land great deals aren’t stuck on brand loyalty.
Sure, they might prefer Brand A, but if Brand B offers the same quality for 30% less, they’ll make the switch. This doesn’t mean sacrificing standards – it means staying open. That kind of flexibility widens the number of deals they can take advantage of.
10. They share with and learn from others.
People who consistently obtain the best deals, at last, do not do it alone. Many of them belong to online groups, forums, or even informal SMS chains among buddies who trade discount codes and notify one another about sales.
It’s as if a group of bargain scouts are working together. Should one person miss a bargain, someone else usually sees it.
Wrapping It Up
These habits appear little at first sight: checking for coupons, comparing prices, enrolling in newsletters. But those who practice them regularly year after year save significant money.
The most important lesson learned: You do not have to completely change your life to begin negotiating for more favorable prices. Simply include one or two of these practices into your daily life and let the savings accumulate throughout time.
Also remember that before you buy, the simplest way to begin is by searching for deals. Make that little modification and you will be astonished at the quick add up of the numbers.
