There are things we should not buy online as you need to try them out first before buying, such as bicycles and shoes (see this post), and there are things we should buy online as you already know what they are, especially when you’ve already purchased or tried them before.
Here are things you should buy online to save money and potentially save time as well:
1. Books
Depending on your preference, buying the electronic version of a book is often better than buying the real book (the hardcover version). Ebooks are cheaper, save time, and save space.
Buying an ebook will only need around 5 minutes (if you have to key in your credit card numbers), or just one click (if the store has already got your payment details before).
Unlike their bulky, hardcover counterparts that need a physical space to store, ebooks are electronically stored inside a phone, a kindle reader/tablet, or a computer.
2. Stationeries
Generally speaking, rulers, highlighters, pencils, notepads, containers, are things that do not need to be tried out first and therefore can all be bought online.
3. Coffee/Tea Accessories
Not only they’re often cheaper, online shops often offer various types of mugs, tea strainers, coffee makers, canister sets, that don’t even exist in shopping centres.
4. Toiletries Refills
Toilet papers, shampoo, conditioner, face cleanser, moisturisers, toothpaste, sunblocks, anything you’ve already purchased, become your favourite, and now need a refill.
5. Generic Products
Generic products like vinegar, baking soda, sugar, and salt should always be bought online as long as the free delivery is there. But even if there’s a delivery fee and if it’s cheaper (and also if it saves time and effort to go to the grocery store), don’t hesitate to buy these products online.
6. Holiday Packages
Companies like Booking.com, Expedia, or Flight Centre that specialise in holiday packages ( have bigger buying power and therefore, can offer cheaper prices than if the booking is done directly and separately.
7. Entertainment Tickets
Movies, festivals, music concerts, zoo entries, are often cheaper when bought online. They’re even cheaper if you’re with certain insurance, a certain bank, etc. Check with your insurance, bank etc and see if they offer any discounts for anything you need.
8. Board Games
Board games like Pictionary, Uno, Snake and Ladders, Monopoly, Yahtzee, are cheaper on eBay than stores like Kmart and Target. Pictionary in Kmart, for instance, is AU$25. On eBay it’s AU$15.99 (free delivery within Australia)
9. Vitamins
When your doctor recommends you to take, for instance, a Vitamin D supplement, you can simply buy it online, instead of going to the physical store, parking/walking, queuing to pay, it’s better to buy them online as the price is possibly cheaper and you save heaps of time and efforts. Some online pharmacy stores offer free delivery if your order is above a certain price. Chemists Warehouse Australia, for example, offer free delivery if your order is above AU$50.
10. Pet Food Refills
So long you know what brand and flavour for your pets, buying bulk online is cheaper than buying them at a pet store.
