Have you ever made a purchase online and received a message saying “enter a promotion code to save”? Promotion codes, also called promo codes or discount codes, are strings of letters and numbers that online retailers provide to take a percentage or fixed amount off the purchase price.

Promotion codes work much like printable coupons you’d find in the Sunday newspaper circular. By applying one at checkout, you can lower the total cost of your order. Some key things to know about promotion codes:

• They’re typically offered for a limited time, like during major shopping holidays. Larger retailers may have ongoing codes too.
• Codes can take 10-50% off or provide a $5-25 discount depending on the retailer’s promotion. Some only apply to certain product categories too.
• To redeem one, look for the “promotion code” or “add coupon” box when finalizing your online order. Paste or type in the code and hit apply.
• If valid, the discount will be reflected in your new total. Invalid or expired codes simply won’t work.
• Promotion codes are commonly shared on retailer websites, newsletters, and deals sites. Be sure to check social media too as many brands advertise codes there.

With a little promo code hunting, you can stretch your budget further online. Just be sure to apply codes at checkout – they won’t work after an order is placed. Happy shopping!