Amazing Amazon Hacks You’ll Be Surprised to Discover

photo: Andy Nguyen via Flickr

Amazon is a lifesaver when you’re looking to avoid shopping trips with kids, and the site often offers the best deals on many products. If you’re a Prime member you can save even more time and money, but there are also some lesser known ways to save, not all of which require Prime. Try these tips the next time you shop.

Get Your Items Instantly
Two days is fast, but the same day is much faster. Prime members in select cities can use the Amazon Prime Now app to order groceries and other items and have them delivered in one hour for a fee of $7.99 Definitely useful when you’re home with a sick baby.

You Can Earn Money for a Cause
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 5% of your purchase to a charitable organization of your choice when you shop. You don’t need to spend any additional money all you have to do is log in through smile.amazon.com.

Read Brand New Books for Free
Prime members can sign up for the Kindle First program and get access to new e-books a month before they are officially released.

You Can Trade in Your Things for Money
Through Amazon Trade-In you can trade in items you’ve previously purchased through the site that you no longer want and earn money in the form of an Amazon gift card in return.

You Can Buy Used and Open Box Items
Amazon Warehouse offers open box items at discount prices with return protection.

Lighting Deals All Year Round
Those deep discounts that are offered on Black Friday and Prime Day are available all year through Amazon Outlet.

What Amazon hacks do you use? Did we miss your favorite one? Share your Amazon tips and tricks in the comments below.