As part of our Shop Better series, we’re highlighting all the ways you can use Amazon Pay to Shop Smarter in 2022. That means saving time and money by getting smarter about the way you shop, which starts with creating a budget and sticking to it, then making helpful shopping lists to guide your purchases.
One of the easiest ways to shop smarter is by using Amazon Pay to check out safely and securely on third-party sites. You not only get Amazon Pay’s A-to-z Guarantee and fraud protection but also fast, hassle-free convenience: Amazon Pay uses the same payment method that’s already stored in your existing Amazon account, so you never have to waste time filling out shipping, billing, or account information. You can also track and manage all your purchases in one place.
Make sure 2022 leaves you in the fiscal win column by getting prepped and making sound financial decisions. Here’s how to Shop Smarter in a few easy steps.
1. Create a budget
To avoid overspending, it helps to break down your monthly expenses into two basic categories. The most important of these is your fixed costs, which include unavoidable things like rent or home payments, loans, utilities, groceries, household essentials, cell phone bills, any health insurance or medication needs, and transportation costs like car payments, insurance, and gas.
Stay on top of your utility bills with Alexa Bill Planner, which lets you easily check, compare, and pay your gas and electric bills each month with the sound of your voice. Alexa will even notify you if it looks like your payment might be late.
Once you’ve accounted for your fixed costs, it’s much easier to decide how much you can afford to spend on what are called variable expenses, which range from gifts and entertainment to gym memberships, eating out at restaurants, holiday travel, and savings.
When you plan ahead, you can put money aside for things you both want and need. And when you track your monthly spending, you can see how much your outlay compares to what you’re earning and cut costs accordingly.
2. Write a shopping list
Creating lists is one of the simplest and most effective ways to shop smarter. Planning meals and making a grocery list can help you avoid spending more than you intended — particularly when you’re shopping hungry. And even when your budget is generous, making lists for everything from clothing purchases to home decor can take the stress out of shopping.
Making a gift list in advance not only makes it easier to organize and plan the perfect something for your loved ones but also reduces the chances of overspending. Add special occasions to your calendar and start doing your research early — it almost always results in better gifts. It also helps to think about who you usually buy for and when, whether it’s annual dates like birthdays, anniversaries, religious holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Valentine’s Day, or major upcoming events like births, graduations, and weddings. When you make a gift list, you never forget.
3. Spend less with Amazon Pay
With a good budget and shopping list, you’re well prepared to hunt for discounts that will affect your bottom line — the ultimate way to shop smarter.
One great way to give yourself a break while maintaining your financial peace of mind is to take advantage of deals that let you travel for less — like this one for up to 30% off car rentals from Avis, plus 10% back in an Amazon.com gift card.
And no road trip would be complete without some great audiobooks for the ride, so here’s a three-book, 30-day free trial from audiobooks.com.
4. Save time, shop online
No waiting in lines. No unnecessary spending on gas or parking. The convenience of making purchases on the go or from the comfort of your sofa. Shopping online saves you time and money, and when you use Amazon Pay to make purchases, you’re shopping the smartest way there is.
Next time you go to the movies, skip right past the crowd and head to your seat with Atom Tickets, the award-winning app and website that makes it easy to get showtimes, purchase tickets, and reserve seats at all the theaters near you.
And to help you shop even more efficiently online, try two-for-one products like this wireless Forté for iPhone charger, which saves you both time and space by freeing you from a tangle of chords while offering high-speed charging with full, hands-free access to your iPhone in both portrait and landscape mode.
Give your home a smart upgrade, too, with this advanced Wemo Smart Video Doorbell, which offers the largest HD-video field of view on the market. Designed to work with HomeKit, it has built-in infrared technology for long-distance motion sensing at night, as well as enhanced night vision for clear HD video in low light. With smart notifications, you’ll never miss another package delivery. And with secure recording capabilities, face recognition, and premium zoom clarity, you can safely and conveniently monitor your home from anywhere.
Shopping Better means shopping smarter with Amazon Pay, the safe, fast, and convenient way to pay. Wherever you shop online, enjoy the familiar checkout experience you’ve come to trust from Amazon.