How To Save Money Shopping Online In Nigeria

Shopping online in Nigeria has become a bigger part of our lives, especially in this internet age. More people now buy everything online, from groceries and daily needs to holiday gifts. But one common challenge has been how to save money shopping online.

It’s easy to lose track of your budget when shopping online. Adding items to your cart feels effortless, but it can lead to spending more money than you planned. Luckily, there are smart ways to save while shopping online in Nigeria. In this article we will share ten simple, easy to apply tips to help you save more money shopping online.

11 Simple Ways To Save Money Shopping Online in Nigeria

Focus On Your Needs

Shopping online in Nigeria makes it easy to spend money without thinking. They use eye-catching designs, sale ads, and one-click buying to tempt you. To avoid this, write down what you need before you start shopping. Keep the list somewhere you can see, like on a sticky note near your computer or phone. Also, don’t shop when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. These emotions can lead to impulse buys you’ll regret later.

Remember, Credit Cards Are Real Money

It’s easy to forget you’re spending real money when using a credit card, especially while shopping online. Buying things can feel exciting because it triggers a happy feeling in your brain. Shopping online can make it even easier to lose track of how much you’re spending. To stay in control, set a weekly reminder to check your credit card balance. Better yet, pay it off regularly. This helps you treat your credit card like cash while still earning rewards. Plus, paying your balance on time protects your credit score by keeping your credit usage low.

Decide A Budget For Your Shopping

We often forget to set a budget when shopping online. Why does this happen?

When we shop offline and use cash, we stick to a fixed amount. This acts as our budget and helps us see exactly how much we’re spending. But with shopping online, and online payments through UPI or bank accounts, it’s harder to track our spending.

To stay in control, set a clear budget before shopping and try to spend less than that amount. If something costs more than your budget, look for ways to save elsewhere. Limit your online shopping to 10-15% of your monthly income for items like clothes, electronics, and groceries.

For bigger purchases, plan ahead and save over a few months instead of spending all at once. Avoid impulse buying, especially for travel bookings, luxury items, or expensive electronics, to keep your finances on track.

Compare Prices Before You Buy

When shopping in any Nigerian online store, businesses no longer have to deal with “menu costs.” This term refers to the expense of physically updating prices, like when restaurants print new menus. Online stores can change prices instantly without any extra costs.

Even though prices often change and can be confusing, you can still rely on your instincts. If something feels overpriced, take a moment to check. Search for the item online to see if other stores have it for less. This way, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal and saving as much money as possible.

Use A Free Coupon Browser Extension Wisely

Finding great deals has become easier than ever, and you don’t need to search through newspapers for coupons anymore. Many discounts and coupons are available online, either from the product manufacturer or the store itself. No matter where they come from, these offers can help you save a lot of money.

You can also make online shopping even easier by adding a browser extension that automatically searches for promo codes or discounts on the items you’re planning to buy. Unlike annoying pop-ups, these extensions only focus on what you’re already shopping for. However, be careful with deals that encourage you to buy more to save more, like free shipping for spending over $60 or bigger discounts as you spend more. While these offers might seem tempting, they can lead to spending more than you planned.

If you don’t really need an item or it’s beyond your budget, don’t let these discounts push you to buy.

If You Don’t Need It Immediately, Wait

Online stores often use tricks to make you feel like you need to buy something right away. They might show countdown timers, tell you your cart will expire soon, or warn that there’s only a few left in stock. Sometimes these claims are true, but other times they’re just a way to push you into making a quick purchase.

Here’s a useful tip: if you’re logged into your account and add an item to your cart but don’t check out, the store might send you an email with a discount to convince you to finish buying it. This can save you some money.

On the other hand, if the store doesn’t send a discount and you forget about the item, it’s a good sign you didn’t really need it after all. Waiting before you buy can help you avoid spending money on things you don’t actually want or need.

Unsubscribe From Mailings That Send You Ads

It’s common to sign up with your email for a 10% or 15% discount on your first purchase. But after that, you might start getting daily emails about new products or deals. Even if you ignore most of them, opening just one out of curiosity can tempt you to spend money you didn’t plan to.

The next time you open one of those emails, take a moment to unsubscribe. You can usually find the option at the bottom of the email. Once those emails stop, you won’t have to deal with the extra temptation. It’s a simple way to save money when shopping online in Nigeria and avoid unnecessary spending, especially since you already get enough ads elsewhere.

Avoid “Buy Now, Pay Later“

Pay-in-4 loans might seem like a great idea. You only pay a quarter of the price upfront, and the rest is split into three more payments. It sounds simple and easy, but there’s a catch. If you miss a payment, you could face fees as high as 20% or 25%of the original price. On top of that, interest rates can go up to 37%.

The problem is that it’s easy to underestimate how much money you’ll have for future payments. While the first payment might feel manageable, the rest could end up being harder to handle. Before using this option, make sure you’re confident you can afford all the payments to avoid extra costs.

Know The Best Time To Buy, Especially For Big Purchases

Waiting for a holiday weekend could save you a lot of money. Online stores often offer big discounts during events like Christmas Day, Valentine day, Boxing Day, independence day, labor Day or new year because they know people shop more during their time off.

If you’re shopping for outdoor items, like smartphones or electronics, it’s even better to wait until fall. End-of-season and off-season sales can help you find great deals on outdoor furniture, gear, and even clothes. Being patient can make a big difference in how much you spend.

Buy Groceries Irl To Avoid High Fees

Getting groceries delivered can feel like a smart choice since you won’t grab extra items like you might in the store. However, these services often cost more than you realize. Many items are marked up, and you’ll also pay a delivery fee.

On top of that, you’re expected to tip the shopper or driver. For smaller orders, these extra costs can make your total bill up to 50% higher than what the groceries are actually worth. While delivery is convenient, it’s important to consider if it’s really worth the added expense.

Consider Buying Used

You don’t need to spend hours digging through thrift store racks to find a great deal. Many big stores now offer a better option. They buy back used clothes and items from their own brands and resell them at lower prices.

This setup is a win for everyone. Stores attract shoppers who care about saving money and the environment, while you get high-quality items for much less than their original cost.

Quality and Safety Tips To Shop Online In Nigeria

Shopping online in Nigeria can be risky if you’re not careful. Some people take advantage of online shoppers and may try to scam you.

If you don’t pay attention to key details, you might also end up buying something of poor quality.

To help you shop safely and wisely, here are the best tips to keep in mind.:

Always check customer reviews of the online store you are buying from

Before buying from an online store in Nigeria, always take time to read customer reviews.

Some stores, especially smaller or local ones, might scam customers by taking money but failing to deliver what they promised. This is more common with stores found through social media ads, and many of these stores don’t even have proper websites.

To stay safe, check reviews on platforms like Google, Quora, X.com, Reddit, or Instagram. Look at what other buyers are saying, and pay attention to real-life photos and videos they share. These can show flaws that aren’t obvious in the store’s pictures. Make sure to check both product and seller reviews to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Go through the product’s replacement/exchange/refund policies

When shopping online, choose stores with clear refund, return, or exchange policies. This way, you’re protected if something goes wrong.

Be careful about the personal information you share on shopping apps or websites. Before sharing, ask yourself: Do others share this info? Is it safe to share? Does the website use strong encryption to protect your data? If you’re unsure, don’t share.

Never enter your card details unless you fully trust the site. Also, know your right to a charge back. If you pay with a credit card and the seller turns out to be a scam, you can ask your bank for a charge back. This process holds the seller accountable and refunds your money after proper checks.

See if Cash On Delivery is available for purchases

When shopping online, check if Cash on Delivery (COD) is an option.

Most online stores offer COD, though some may require a minimum order amount.

If a store doesn’t provide COD, it could be a red flag—they might just want your money without delivering anything.

For first-time orders from a new store, it’s safer to choose COD. If the delivery is smooth and the product is good, you can try online payments next time.

Compare products across sites and stores for quality and price

Before buying anything, check different stores and websites to find the best deal. Prices and quality can be very different, so comparing can help you make a better choice.

Look at product details, read customer reviews, and compare prices on different platforms.

Use tools like comparison websites, and don’t forget to consider things like warranty, shipping costs, and customer service. A little research can save you money and ensure you get a good product.

Don’t judge a product by how it looks

Something might look great on the outside, but that doesn’t mean it’s good quality. Instead of focusing on how it’s packaged or advertised, think about how it will work for you. Check its features, durability, and if it fits your needs before deciding.

Be careful with gift card exchanges too. Scammers often pretend to be real buyers or sellers. They might ask for your gift card code or use fake payments to trick you.

Always check if the platform or person is trustworthy by looking at reviews and ratings. Avoid anyone who pressures you to act fast or asks for strange payment methods like gift cards. Use only trusted platforms, and never share gift card codes over email or phone.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)