5 ways to save while shopping online

We know Malaysians are all about Lazada and Shopee, but the truth is that they don't have everything we need.

There are many international brands and products out there that you just can't find in Malaysia and are only available in international online shopping sites like Amazon, eBay, ASOS and AliExpress.

Whether you're an online shopping veteran or a newbie, here are 5 ways to save when you shop online locally and overseas.

Bonus: At the end of the post, check out 8 international beauty brands you should know about.

1. Compare prices on different websites

Before you make a purchase, check out prices on different websites. Chances are, another online store may sell the same exact item but for cheaper.

So keep your eyes wide open for online shopping sites offering the best discounts on your desired items.

Check out various price comparison websites that let you easily compare prices of items across major shopping portals.

Some comparison websites will even mention deals or offers from merchants which can help you save more money when shopping online.

2. Abandon your shopping cart

Yes, you've read that right.

Abandoning your cart gives you time to think about your purchase and avoid making an impulse purchase.

It could also earn you a discount.

On some online shopping sites, when you add items to your online shopping cart and then exit the site, you will receive special email offers from the company.

Note: For this to work you need to sign up an account with the company and then start adding items in your cart.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Register/log in to your account

2. Add item to your shopping cart

3. Leave the site and wait for a day or two

However...

It doesn't always work and it takes patience.

Not all companies give out discounts for abandoned carts. And sometimes the discount will only be rewarded to you after a few weeks.

3. Sign up for email discounts

Many online shopping sites award you with a welcome voucher or when you subscribe to their newsletter - like Zalora.

TIP: Scroll down to the bottom of the page for sign up discounts if it doesn't appear as a pop-up on the homepage.

4. Save with international forwarding services

Some online shopping sites like Amazon don't offer shipping to Malaysia. And if they do ship to Malaysia, the shipping costs can get pretty outrageous.

The solution? Check out Yellow Porter.

Yellow Porter helps you buy and ship any product you want overseas back to Malaysia at a low cost.

You simply make your order, send your items to one of Yellow Porter's local address in that country and they will ship it to your home address in Malaysia. It's that simple!

And we're excited to announce that we've joined forces with Yellow Porter to offer BigPay users with a special shipping promo.

Exclusively for BigPay members, sign up with Yellow Porter today and enjoy RM10 OFF your next shipment with Yellow Porter.

What are you waiting for? Claim this exclusive promo now!

5. Pay with BigPay during checkout

With the BigPay card, you will pay the real exchange rate and nothing else. No currency fees or admin charges or any extra bullshit. We pass Mastercard's exchange rate directly on to you with no currency fees or admin charges or any extra bullshit.

TIP: Always choose to pay in the local currency, not in MYR.

Can you challenge yourself to use all 5 money saving tips when you shop online? You'll be surprised how much money you can save.

For more money savings tips, check out our articles on:

• 3 Ways To Save More Money in 2019

• 10 Effective Ways To Save Money and The Environment Now

Do you have any favourite online shopping tricks of your own?

Share them in the comments below!

With the beauty noise only increasing and heaps of products piling on our shelves, we don’t blame you if it gets hard to discern the real wonder workers from the hype-makers.

Our friends from Yellow Porter have curated their personal favourites list of  8 international beauty brands worth noting and exploring if you’re looking for products that work.

Drunk Elephant

Everybody in the cult’s getting tipsy! Skin care that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Drunk Elephant is making waves in the ocean of skin care and just about everyone’s wanting to hop on that ride.

Founded by Tiffany Masterson who wanted a clean break from toxins and toxic chemicals, Drunk Elephant’s range of skin-loving concoctions are anything but boring.

Tatcha

Tatcha makes products that combine two qualities nearly everyone touts but almost no one gets right: gentleness and effectiveness.

A Japanese skincare brand that takes inspiration from centuries-old skincare routines of geisha, Tatcha continues to work with modern-day geisha and some of the best Japanese scientists to formulate its products, harnessing the gentle efficacy of ingredients such as camellia oil, green tea, silk extracts and more.

Glossier

A brand that’s hot on the millennial pulse, Glossier not only has some of the most instagrammable packaging but also delivers quality products with a personality.

What feels like joining a cool, unconditionally supportive sisterhood every time you stock up on something Glossier, these pastel-tinged products work real good and promises to continue doing so for its people.

House 99

The well-groomed, excellently dressed former soccer pro’s grooming line, House 99 by David Beckham is making a big splash in the growing business of men’s grooming.

Beckham’s simple goal to create a men’s grooming range that allows you to experiment and create any look you want offers a selection of goods that will appeal to guys who want to improve their grooming games, and take a cue from the grooming god himself.

The Ordinary

Founded by skin care enthusiasts who were fed up with the lack of integrity in the beauty industry, The Ordinary takes clinically proven formulas, bottles them in a full range of minimalist dropper bottles and sells them at honourable prices to the market.

Anything but ordinary, The Ordinary takes pride in its honesty, and product efficacy.

Susanne Kaufmann

The eponymous skincare brand by Susanne Kaufmann takes pride in its sense of heritage and locale that ensures every product remains grounded in where Kaufmann is from—the picturesque Bezau valley in the Austrian Alps.

Her products are a blend of botanical knowledge and cutting-edge technology and almost suggest a spa break for your skin when you can’t escape on one.

The line boasts exceptional results that promote a powerful sense of wellbeing that’s second to none.

Milk Makeup

Amassing a cult following across the pond for good reason, beauty brand Milk Makeup’s versatile range of multi-use makeup and skincare products are all 100% vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free, making it a good go-to for all who believes in the concept of “clean beauty”.

Like the brand, their packaging just grabs you.

Oh-so-practical, sleek and simple, there’s possibly nothing to not love about this mega brand!

Morphe

Born among the artists and influencers in Los Angeles, it is Morphe’s mission to inspire creativity with professional-grade makeup brushes, richly pigmented shades, and flawless formulas.

A rule-breaking beauty retailer that’s produced some renowned collaborations, Morphe is perfect for those “looking for killer makeup without killing their wallet”.