Primed for Saving: 15 Amazon Tricks for Smarter Spending

Amazon has everyone in a chokehold—fast shipping, endless options, and that sweet thrill of great deals. But you're probably overspending if you just click “Buy Now” without a game plan. The good news? You don’t need to be a coupon queen or a tech whiz to shop smarter. These 15 money-saving tips will help you stretch your dollars while getting exactly what you want.

Set Price Alerts with Amazon Price Trackers

Have you ever noticed how something in your cart magically goes up in price the second you need it? That’s not a coincidence. Amazon pricing is dynamic and sneaky.

Price trackers like Keepa, CamelCamelCamel, and Slickdeals.net keep tabs on those fluctuations, and they’ll nudge you when your item hits a better deal. You save cash and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Use Amazon's "View in Your Room" AR Feature

Amazon’s “View in Your Room” feature uses augmented reality (AR), but don’t let the fancy term scare you off. All you have to do is open your camera, point it where you want the item, and see how it looks.

It’s wildly helpful for furniture, rugs, and decor—and it prevents the “ugh, this doesn’t fit” moment after delivery.

Take Advantage of Amazon's Free Digital Offers

Free books. Free audio. Free magazines. Yep, Amazon delivers more than just that mystery box you forgot you ordered. Their digital library is full of no-cost content, especially if you have a Kindle app or Prime membership.

It’s perfect for late-night reading, travel downtime, or escaping the chaos for a minute. You might not love every pick, but it costs nothing to try.

Explore Amazon's "Shop by Interest" Feature

Amazon sells everything, which often means you’re stuck scrolling for hours. "Shop by Interest" fixes that. It filters through the chaos and pulls together collections based on your interests.

Whether you’re into the newest fashion, fitness gear, retro gadgets, or kitchen gadgets, it’s all there. If you’re unsure what to search for but know what you're into, this is where you start.

Use Amazon's FSA/HSA Store for Eligible Purchases

Your Flexible Spending or Health Savings Account isn’t just for doctor bills. Amazon’s FSA/HSA store lets you spend that money on everyday health essentials—from allergy meds to heating pads—without any (weird) paperwork.

You can filter by “FSA or HSA eligible” and buy what you need. This tip can save you from scrambling to use up your balance at the end of the year.

Try Amazon's Virtual Try-On Feature

Why play fashion roulette when you can see it first? Virtual Try-On takes the edge off buying fashion online. You can easily gauge how sunglasses, shoes, and frames will look. Just open your camera, and it overlays the product in real time.

It’s fast, easy, and surprisingly accurate. You get a real sense of how they fit or flatter before hitting “Buy Now.”

Explore Amazon's Digital Coupons

Amazon’s coupon game is underrated. Hidden in its own section, digital coupons can knock a few bucks (or more) off your cart total. It’s a goldmine of instant savings. Just click to “clip” the ones you want, and the discount applies at checkout.

The coupons cover everything from household basics to beauty and electronics. If you don’t use them, you pay more than you should.

Participate in Amazon Trade-In Events

If you have old Kindles, Echo devices, or video games, Amazon’s Trade-In program lets you swap them for gift cards. You get a quote upfront and a prepaid shipping label without hassle or haggling.

Once accepted, your account is credited (and you can even get bonus offers). The Trade-In program is one of the easiest ways to declutter and earn money toward your next purchase.

Use Alexa's Advanced Deal Alerts

You don’t have to stalk your Amazon cart for price drops; let Alexa do it for you. Her “Advanced Deal Alerts” feature tracks and alerts you when something you want is marked down.

Just turn on notifications in the Alexa app. It’s easy, free, and works well around big sale days like Prime or Black Friday.

Explore Amazon's Grocery Outlet for Food Savings

Amazon’s Grocery Outlet is like the clearance rack of your supermarket—only better stocked and minus the fluorescent lighting. It’s filled with discounted food, household goods, and snacks you didn’t know you needed (until now).

These aren’t off-brand rejects, either; big names always show up. The selection consists mostly of overstocked items, products approaching expiry dates, or rotating deals that refresh often.

Use the Honey Browser Extension

Honey does the hunting, so you don’t have to. The free browser extension automatically tests and applies the best coupon codes at checkout.

It works in the background while you shop on Amazon (and many other sites), helping you snag discounts you might’ve missed. Even if it only saves a few bucks, it’s more than Amazon might’ve offered upfront.

Check Amazon Renewed for Refurbished Tech

Before you pay full price for that shiny new gadget, check Amazon Renewed. These refurbished items have been tested, inspected, and come with Amazon’s stamp of approval (plus you have a 90-day guarantee).

From phones to laptops, the selection changes often. You’ll save money without gambling on quality; half the time, you won’t even notice the difference.

Unlock Exclusive Amazon Discounts with a Free Prime Trial

You don’t need to commit to Prime forever to get the perks. Amazon offers a 30-day free trial, and that window is loaded with exclusive discounts, early access to deals, and faster shipping.

Use it when you have a big shopping list or a major purchase coming up. Just be sure to cancel before day 30 if you don't want to keep it.

Explore Woot! for Daily Bargains

Woot! is Amazon’s cheeky under-the-radar site with wild discounts. It’s a daily deal site with rotating discounts on clothing, home goods, and more, often cheaper than what you’ll find on Amazon itself.

The best part is that there’s no subscription involved. Just check in for flash sales, limited-time offers, and the occasional ridiculously good steal.

Use Amazon's Gift Card Promotions

This one’s sneaky-good: Amazon regularly runs promos where you buy a gift card (even for yourself) and receive bonus credit. For example, you can get $10 free on a $50 gift card.

The trick is that you must enter the promo code they provide, and the offer has to be live. These deals are time-sensitive, so regularly check the “Gift Cards” section.