If you don’t have time to shop but would like to browse through products and order in the comforts of your own home or office, then you should order free catalogs. The internet is a great source for such freebies, and if you log on to the right sites, you will be able to browse your way into the product you are looking for in no time.

You can get free online catalogs from virtually everywhere, but be careful not to immediately sign up for free offers – some merchants may flood your inbox with catalogs you did not even request.

Visit a reliable catalog Web site that allows you to become a member and limit the free catalogs you would like to receive. The site should allow you to check off what categories interest you (such as appliances, furniture, car care, baby care, etc.) and indicate how many times you would like to receive them (daily, weekly, or monthly). If you don’t want the catalogs going straight into your inbox, the site should give you the option to just receive reminders instead. When a new catalog on a product category you chose is available, you get a link to the new catalog and decide if you want to download it or not.

Free online catalog portals should not only be static brochures – they should also link up to the actual merchant sites so that you can order immediately if something catches your eye. The site should likewise be very well-organized. The categories should be comprehensive, so that you can click around intuitively and be led to the product you are looking for. A good keyword search facility helps, too – this way, you just type in a brand or product specification, choose from among the results, pay with your credit card, and wait for delivery.