Home Authors Amy Stoltenberg
Amy Stoltenberg

Amy Stoltenberg

Writer

Amy Stoltenberg manages newsletters at Finder, gathering the best articles each week to help subscribers save money and stretch their hard-earned dollars. She also handles the Twitter account, dabbling in Instagram and Facebook too. When she's not on the computer, you can find her exploring Los Angeles with a good book in tow. She studied writing at Savannah College of Art and Design and has been featured on the Zoe Report.

Expertise

  • Fashion
  • Travel
  • Online shopping

Experience

  • Featured on the Zoe Report
  • Author of over 500 shopping and travel articles
  • Traveled to 28 states (and counting!)

Education

  • BA in writing and fashion | Savannah College of Art and Design | 2013–2018

Featured publications

Industry insights from Amy Stoltenberg

Amy gets absolutely amped by finding life-changing products for a price that feels good. We asked her to give us some of her best tips for saving money and staying sane when embarking on an Internet shopping spree.

What’s your No. 1 tip for cutting down on impulse shopping?

My number one tip is simple — walk away. Sleep on it. If you wake up and still want to buy the thing, go for it. But make sure the brand offers free shipping and returns! I never place an order somewhere that doesn’t offer free shipping and returns — UNLESS it’s a household essential or I’m 100% certain that I can’t live without it.

Usually, you’ll know in your gut when you’re about to buy something purely out of impulse. Listen to that feeling. Before checking out, imagine yourself using that product in a month, six months, a year. Will it improve the quality of your life? Will it bring you joy? If the answer is no, you should definitely give yourself a few more days to think about it.

How can Americans protect their financial information when shopping online?

When you land on a new website, check to make sure the lock icon is visible to the left of the URL. This ensures that your personal information is secure when you send it to that website. Never send your financial information to someone over email, even a customer service rep. If you’re chatting with customer service via instant message, insist on giving your credit card number over the phone — and only if it’s absolutely necessary.

What are your favorite ways to find the best deals on high-ticket items?

From my time working in corporate retail, I can tell you with 100% confidence that almost every product goes on sale, eventually — unless there is an overwhelming demand and limited supply. So my favorite way to find the best deals is just to watch and wait. Check the site every couple of days, and eventually that item will be discounted when it’s time for the brand to move new merch in.

You should also check your calendar for the next upcoming holiday. Many big chain retailers hold sales for holidays like the Fourth of July, Labor Day and even President’s Day. That can be a great strategy for finding deals on appliances and home goods.

If you can’t wait, or need to buy a high-ticket item now, you can usually get 10% to 20% off by signing up for a brand’s mailing list. Trade your email address for a good deal (you can even create an email address specifically for marketing emails), then sit back and save!

Latest articles by Amy Stoltenberg

37 articles written by this author

Finder’s moving west — to Denver!

Finder's new Denver hub will house 198 new jobs, including product managers, software engineers and app developers.

Amy Stoltenberg 24 June 2021
Finder’s moving west — to Denver!

U.S. Bank Platinum Checking account

U.S. Bank’s top-tier account rewards deeper financial commitment.

Amy Stoltenberg 17 October 2019
U.S. Bank Platinum Checking account

Compare PenFed Credit Union banking products: Savings and Checking

Learn about PenFed’s suite of financial products.

Amy Stoltenberg 17 October 2019
Compare PenFed Credit Union banking products: Savings and Checking

ATM networks with the greatest access in the US

Uncover the biggest ATM networks in the US and find out if you’re getting the most out of your bank’s network.

Amy Stoltenberg 27 August 2019
ATM networks with the greatest access in the US

Compare E-Trade bank products: Savings and Checking

E-Trade’s got checking and savings options to fluidly fund market trades.

Amy Stoltenberg 6 August 2019
Compare E-Trade bank products: Savings and Checking

E-Trade Checking account

A no-frills account that may be best for stock market hobbyists interested in same-day trades.

Amy Stoltenberg 2 August 2019
E-Trade Checking account

HELOC calculator

Calculate your loan-to-value ratio to determine your HELOC eligibility.

Amy Stoltenberg 23 July 2019
HELOC calculator

How much does a funeral cost in Texas?

Consider more than just funeral home fees when planning a funeral in Texas.

Amy Stoltenberg 15 July 2019
How much does a funeral cost in Texas?

Life insurance after a heart attack

It's still possible to get life insurance after suffering a heart attack, but you'll need to show for your efforts toward improving your health.

Amy Stoltenberg 27 June 2019
Life insurance after a heart attack

How much does a funeral cost in New York?

Discover the average funeral costs in New York, and discover the different ways you can pay for it.

Amy Stoltenberg 25 June 2019
How much does a funeral cost in New York?
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