Online shopping isn’t for everyone. Some people love that they can buy what they need or want without even leaving their bed. Others hate it, because waiting for the product to ship can be excruciating. Often times, online shopping is what’s most convenient for the average college student. Most students may not have a car on campus to travel to a physical store, and it can also be difficult to find time between writing papers and doing classwork to head off campus. Even though online shopping can seem lazy, it can also be very convenient, and it might even save you some money.

There are plenty of websites and companies that give student discounts. All you have to do is verify your institution’s email as little as once a year. Websites like UNiDAYS, SheerID and Student Beans are used as a platform for brands and companies to give students money off of their online purchases, sometimes even up to 30 percent. These deals include stores like Apple, American Apparel, H&M and many more. Plus, the online discounts are not always available in the physical stores. For a college student who may not have a lot of money to spend or has to save up to pay for school, it’s a pretty good deal.

Now that you’ve got some discounts that you can use, what should you buy? As a student, there are plenty of items that you could order online. From that really cute tapestry you saw on Amazon to those sneakers that Nike just released, there is a good variety to choose from. While the internet can be a great source for such purchases, it’s also important to keep an eye out for scams. Keep a look out for the following red flags to avoid wasting your time and money:

1. Very low cost

2. Websites you’ve never heard of (always verify the source)

3. Websites not based in the U.S. (not that they are all untrustworthy, but be mindful)

4. Ads online, especially through Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

5. Websites that claim to be giving something away for free

Something else you should keep in mind when you are ordering online is a return policy. A lot of online stores (like stores that are solely based off of the internet, such as Fashion Nova) have convoluted return policies. Be mindful to check if stores allow:

1. Returns of any sort

2. Returns in the form of original payment (nobody likes having to receive store credit)

3. Free shipping for returns

4. A return policy that lasts more than a couple of days

Stores like Amazon make online shopping not only very easy and convenient, but they also allow returns for up to 30 days after the package was received. They even pay for you to ship the product back. The easiest stores to return to are mainstream brands such as H&M, Forever 21 and Target, because returns are easily done by mail. These brands also have the option of bringing the return into the physical store, which allows you to get your refund immediately.

For all returns, remember your receipt! They do get lost in your email, so as a way to avoid this, always “flag” or “star” your confirmation email right after ordering, and you are good to go.

Now you have all the knowledge you need to treat yourself to whatever you may please. Good luck and happy shopping!