How to Find the Best Deals When You Shop

Finding the best deals is less about luck than about checking three things: whether the price is really low, whether it is the right time to buy, and whether you can add another discount on top. This guide shows you how to do all three, online and in store. It is part of our money saving tips series.

How to tell a real deal from a fake one

A real deal is lower than the price the item actually sold for recently, not just lower than a "was" price on the tag. Check the item's price history, compare the total with shipping and tax at two other stores, and be wary of any "regular" price you never saw the item sell for.

The rules back this up. Under the Federal Trade Commission's Guides Against Deceptive Pricing, a former price is a fair comparison only if it is the actual, bona fide price the item was offered at to the public on a regular basis for a reasonably substantial period of time. An inflated price set up just to advertise a big reduction makes the bargain a false one (16 CFR 233.1, checked October 2026).

Use these checks before you buy:

• Look at the price history. Google's price insights show whether a product's price is low, typical or high, how it changed in recent months, and when it hits a 30 day low. The feature is available to shoppers in the US, and Google notes that it does not predict future prices (Google, checked October 2026). For Amazon, Keepa shows the full price history chart.
• Compare the total. A low price with high shipping can cost more than a regular price with free shipping.
• Watch for fees. Since May 12, 2025, the FTC's fee rule has required live event ticket sellers and short term lodging sites to show the total price, including mandatory fees, up front (FTC). For anything else, add the fees yourself before you compare.
• Check the model number. Compare the exact model number at each store, so you know you are comparing the same product.

Best time to shop: days, months and sale seasons

The best time to shop is during big sale events, not on a particular weekday. In fall 2026, that means Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and Target Circle Deal Days on October 6 and 7, then Black Friday on November 27 and Cyber Monday on November 30. Some stores also run discounts on set days of the week.

Event details come from Amazon and Target, and the Thanksgiving date from the US Office of Personnel Management, all checked October 2026.

Days of the week matter for some discounts. Kohl's gives shoppers 60 and older 15% off on Wednesdays and gives military members, veterans and their families 15% off on Mondays, both in store only, and Ross gives shoppers 55 and older 10% off on Tuesdays. Our list of senior discounts has the full schedule.

For timing by category, see the best time to buy electronics, our Black Friday shopping plan and our guide to holiday shopping deals.

Price tracking and deal alerts

Price tracking and deal alerts do the watching for you. Google's Track price button sends an alert when a product drops below your target price, Keepa tracks Amazon prices, and Slickdeals Deal Alerts flag new community deals on items you name. Set alerts only for things already on your list.

If you have ever typed "find me the best deals" into a search bar, alerts are the better answer, because they bring the deal to you. To find deals online without browsing every day:

• Google price tracking. Sign in to your Google account, tap Track price on a product in Google Search, and you get a push notification through the Google app and an email when the price drops below your target. It works in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and India.
• Keepa. Its browser extension adds a price history chart to Amazon product pages, and a free account adds price watches and notifications.
• Slickdeals Deal Alerts. Set an alert for something in particular, and Slickdeals notifies you when a new deal for it is shared to its community.
• Capital One Shopping. Its free extension tells you when prices drop on products you viewed or bought.

All four were checked in October 2026. Our ranking of the best deal websites compares these tools with deal sites and coupon sites. For Amazon in particular, see our guide to the best Amazon deals.

How to stack deals

To stack deals, combine one discount from each layer: the sale price, one coupon code, your store rewards and a cash back or card offer. Most stores let you use one item from each layer, not two from the same layer. The order matters too, because some stores apply dollar-off coupons before percent-off ones.

Store rules decide what combines. Three examples, checked on each company's site in October 2026:

• Kohl's applies dollar-off coupons, including Kohl's Cash, before percent-off coupons, and its senior and military discounts cannot be combined with other percent-off coupons.
• Target will not price match an item if you are also using a Target coupon on it.
• Rakuten warns that cash back may not track if you use a coupon code that did not come from Rakuten.

For the full rules, read how to stack coupons. Then add the last two layers: cash back shopping and the free store rewards programs at stores you use often.

How to get a discount when none is advertised

To get a discount when none is advertised, sign up, verify or ask. Kohl's, for example, gives 15% off for joining its email or text list, and some stores give set discounts to students, military families and seniors once you verify. If the price drops after you buy, ask for a price adjustment.

• Sign up. As of October 2026, Kohl's offers 15% off when you sign up for its emails or its texts. Use a separate email address for sign ups.
• Verify your status. Amazon lists Prime for Young Adults, for 18 to 24 year olds and students, at $7.49 a month after the trial, and Prime Access, for people receiving qualified government assistance, at $6.99 a month, compared with $14.99 for regular Prime (checked October 2026).
• Show military ID. Kohl's gives active military, veterans, retirees and their immediate families 15% off on Mondays in store. It accepts a military ID card, a state ID showing veteran status or Form DD 214.
• Ask for a price match after you buy. Target matches its own lower price on Target.com or at your local store if you bought the item within the last 14 days. Bring the original receipt in store, or chat online with your order number. Screenshots are not accepted, and clearance items are excluded (Target, checked October 2026).
• Consider open box. Open box items usually cost less than new ones. Our guide to Best Buy open box grades explains what each grade means.
• Just ask. At checkout, ask whether there is a coupon or discount for today. The worst answer is no.

Saving money shopping online vs in store

Saving money shopping online is easiest when you need to compare and track prices; shopping in store wins when you want to skip shipping, inspect open box items or use day of the week discounts. Several discounts in this guide, including Kohl's senior and military days, work in store only.

The delivery rule comes from the FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule. If a seller cannot ship on time, it must send you a delay notice with a revised shipping date and let you cancel for a full refund (FTC, checked October 2026).

To save money shopping online or in store, the habits are the same: shop from a list, check the price history, and stack every discount you qualify for. To find the cheapest deals on the same item, compare the total at the store's website and at its nearest location, because prices can differ.

Finding the best deals FAQ

How do I find the best deals online?

Start with the price history. Use Google's price insights or Keepa to see whether today's price is actually low, set a price alert for anything you can wait for, and compare the total with shipping and tax at two other stores. Then add one coupon code and one cash back offer before you pay.

What day of the week has the best sales?

No single day has the best sales at every store. The biggest savings come from events, such as Prime Big Deal Days and Target Circle Deal Days on October 6 and 7, 2026, and Black Friday on November 27. Some stores do set days: Kohl's gives seniors 15% off on Wednesdays, and Ross gives shoppers 55 and older 10% off on Tuesdays.

How do I get a discount at checkout?

Try a coupon extension such as Capital One Shopping or PayPal Honey, which apply codes at checkout. Join the store's email or text list if it offers a sign up discount, like Kohl's 15% off. Ask whether you qualify for a student, military or senior discount, and bring ID. If you bought recently, ask for a price adjustment.