Keeping to your budget - shop online

Shopping online offers lots of benefits that you won't find shopping in a store. The Internet is always open — seven days a week, 24 hours a day — and bargains can be numerous online. With just a click of a mouse, you can buy an airline ticket, book a hotel, send flowers to a friend, or purchase a favorite item. But purchasing your finds on the internet is a little different than checking out items at the store.

Know who you're dealing with. Anyone can set up shop online under any name. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems.

Know exactly what you're buying. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage," or "close-out" may mean that the product is in not such great condition.

Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them.

Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates. Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied?

Keep a paper trail. Save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price and the online receipt.

Don't email financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting financial information like your credit card, checking account, or Social Security number. If you want to provide your financial information through a website, make sure the site is secure by looking for a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure").

Check the privacy policy. It should let you know that all personal information being collected will only be used for their use. If you can't find a privacy policy — or if you can't understand it, consider taking your business to another site that's more consumer-friendly.

Know what it will cost. Check out websites that offer price comparisons and then, compare the items. Factor shipping and handling — along with your needs and budget — into the total cost of the order.

Almost anything you want to buy can be comparison-shopped at sites such as DealNews.com and Pricegrabber.com.

Shopping for electronics? Check out Gazaro.com and Pricespider.com.

Go to Shopittome.com for deals on clothing and bags, and shoes.

Check for manufacturer discounts at PromotionalCodes.come and hit Freeshipping.org for shipping offers and codes.