Shopping guides

How to tell a real deal from a fake one, get the most from promo codes, and earn sign-up bonuses without the gotchas.

• Price trackingHow to Tell If a Sale Is Really a Good Deal"Was $199, now $99" doesn't always mean you're saving $100. Here's how to check a discount is real before you buy, in five quick steps.October 19, 2026 · 3 min read
• Promo codesHow to Use Promo Codes (and Why They Sometimes Don't Work)Where to enter a promo code, why codes fail, whether you can use more than one, and how to find codes that actually work.October 19, 2026 · 3 min read
• Sign-up bonusesBank and App Sign-up Bonuses: How They Work and How to Avoid the GotchasBanks, brokerages and apps pay new customers real money to join. Here's how referral bonuses work, what the usual requirements are, and the mistakes that cost people their bonus.October 19, 2026 · 3 min read
• Saving tipsHow to Stack Discounts: Sales, Codes, Cash Back and Gift CardsThe biggest savings come from combining discounts. Here's the order to stack them in, and which combinations stores usually allow.October 19, 2026 · 3 min read