All the tools for an online shopping spree

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Maybe it's just me, but I'm a firm believer that whoever thought of shopping online is a genius.

There are tons reasons why online shopping absolutely rules. First of all, I don't have to get out of my pajamas. Whenever I can do something in my pajamas, it's already cooler than anything that requires getting dressed. Secondly, some of my favorite stores are so disorganized, it takes a lot of energy to shop around. Urban Outfitters gives me a headache sometimes, but it's nothing compared to discount stores like TJ Maxx, Winners, and Marshall's, where whatever organizational tool they have obviously isn't working. Thirdly, if something isn't available at the moment, I don't have to go all the way back to the store to get it; whatever you need is delivered right to your door, even if not with the rest of your purchases. Lastly, discounts. It's so much easier to get a discount when purchasing things online as opposed to going into the physical store. How, you ask? Well, I'm going to open up the wonderful door of discounts. Just read this list... you'll thank me for it later.

1. Sign up to be on their email list! It may be annoying when you're entire email inbox is filled with messages from J. Crew, Gap and Victoria's Secret, but it's totally worth it when the sale information is released. Several times a year, certain stores have "secret sales," only avaliable to people who receive their emails. Urban Outfitters occasionally sends out messages to people who have purchased from them before, offering a 10% discount on any online purchase. Fred Flare is famous for having 24 hour sales, but the only way to find out about them is to get the emails!

2. Tell them your birthday! Some online stores give out birthday presents, absolutely free. Baskin Robbins gives a free ice cream cone, Delia's gives a 10% - 20% discount, and Sephora gives away the "gift of the month," which can be anything from lotion to lip gloss.

3. This last tip is the mother of all tips; www.RetailMeNot.com. Retail-Me-Not is without a doubt the best thing to hit the Internet since Facebook, and it's insanely easy to use. Simply go to the website, type in the store you're browsing online, and you're flooded with discount codes posted by fellow online shoppers; some of which are super secret and not advertised. Buying a new pair of running shoes at Nike.com? Type Nike.com into the search box, and there's a code for 20% off clearance items, a code for free shipping on orders over $125, and a code for 20% off all purchases over $125. Getting something from BananaRepublic.com? There's a code for free shipping, a code for 20% off clearance items, and a printable coupon for 30% off. Amazing, right?

Have fun online shoppers, and remember. Just because it's on sale, doesn't mean you need it... or does it?