10 ways Amazon can save you money in your everyday life

While there’s been some talk recently about how Amazon isn’t always the best choice for price-sensitive shoppers, there are still a lot of ways the behemoth online seller can save you money in your everyday life!

Read more: 14 surprises you probably didn’t know about Amazon

Save money on your next smartphone

The hottest smartphone of 2016 could be a $50 handset! Amazon has teamed up with U.S. manufacturer Blu for the R1 HD. It’s a basic no-nonsense phone that’s available for as little as $50 thanks to a subsidy from the online retailer. More info on this deal here.

Save money on your Prime membership

There are a few ways to save here actually. First up, you can split the cost of a membership. Amazon allows you to add individuals onto your Prime account, though membership can only be shared between two adults in a household. Here’s what Amazon says can be shared.

Meanwhile, if you’re a student or educator, you can snag a deal too. With your valid .edu email address, you can sign up for a free six-month trial of Amazon Student. After the trial ends, you’ll get 50% off membership for four years or until you’re no longer a student. For every student friend you refer, you’ll get $5 too!

Finally, there’s Amazon Family for all the moms out there. Start your free 30-day trial and then if you like it pay the annual $99 fee. Amazon Mom perks include saving 20% on diaper-delivery subscriptions and other family items.

Save money when Amazon messes up

Amazon Prime orders that qualify for free shipping and don’t come on time earn you a one-month extension of your membership for free. For non-Prime members, Amazon will refund shipping costs should your item arrive late. More details here.

Get money back on every transaction

Using the right plastic when you’re shopping Amazon is imperative. Our contributor Jesse Cook names the Amazon Visa card as being among the best choices.

You’ll get a 3% cashback reward for any purchases made in the Amazon marketplace; a 2% reward for purchases at gas stations, restaurants and drugstores; and a 1% reward for any other purchases. More details here.

Save money on house brands

Reports suggest that Amazon is going all in on store brands with its own line of food items and household goods possibly on tap. More info on this story here.

Save money leading up to and on Black Friday

Last year, Amazon revved up the holiday shopping season with seven weeks of early deals beginning on Nov. 2, 2015.

Then one week out from Black Friday, Amazon started offering some of its best Black Friday deals on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015.

It’s clear Amazon likes to get the party started early, so keep up with all the action at our new Deals.Clark.com page!

Save money on Cyber Monday

You would naturally expect Amazon’s dominant position in the online retail market to mean that they’re big into Cyber Monday. And you’d be right!

Last year, Amazon offered up to 85% off Kindle eBooks, 49% off a Samsung 48-inch 4K TV with Home Theater Bundle and much more. See what they did last year so you can anticipate this year’s deals to come!

Save money over the summer

For the last couple of years, Amazon has done a “Christmas in July” style promotion with one day of the calendar dedicated to great deals in the middle of summer.

Amazon Prime Day was introduced on July 15, 2015 to honor Amazon’s 20th anniversary. The celebration was moved to July 12 this year, so mark your calendar for mid-July 2017 for the next crack at these one-day-only deals.

Save money on scratch-and-dent gadgets

Amazon has a section on its site called Warehouse Deals, where you can shop for open box and returned items and items that were damaged in transit. Because the items aren’t in “perfect” condition for retail sale, they’re offered here at discounted prices.

Save money on…your charitable donations?!

Most people want to give to charity with a glad heart. So is it wrong that Amazon can actually help you save money on your donations?!

This is what you need to know: When you make a purchase through the AmazonSmile Foundation, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price to a charity of your choice.

Picture this: Let’s say you dedicate 10% of your budget to charity. By making your purchases through AmazonSmile, you’d actually be able to redirect some money away from your charity dollars and to other areas of your budget. It might be small, but every dollar you can save counts when it comes to big goals like saving for retirement or paying for college!

So to recap: On the plus side, the AmazonSmile option is at no extra cost to you. But on the down side, these donations are not tax-deductible for you— because you’re not actually making them. Amazon is! More info on this option here.

Buy from Amazon without going online (but be careful)