The Latest Tricks for Saving Online: Freebies and Deals
Nothing quite excites me like a brand new way to bargain hunt, except maybe passing along my latest finds.
So enjoy some tips from your favorite debtress about working the World Wide Web for deals of all kinds.
Freebie Heaven: CouponMap.com
This site combines two wonders of the modern world: Google Maps and online coupons. In order to manipulate its money-saving goodness, you have to:
- Enter a ZIP code, address or landmark. This flexible location feature makes the site great for any occasion: whether you’re in your living room or on vacation in a strange town, you can find coupons for places nearby.
- Click on a coupon landmark. A map of your area comes up with tiny pairs of scissors (for coupon clippers, get it?) indicating each available coupon. When you select one, you’ll get a list of coupons to choose from for a given outlet.
- Proceed with your purchase. Once you click, you’ll be sent to the Web site for the company in question, where you’ll be given specific instructions about how to cash in on your bargain.
The Debtress says: This site is particularly useful for eating out – coupons for freebies with your order or reduced-price gift certificates (you pay $10 for a $25 gift certificate, for example).
Two Chances to Save: PricePlease.com
This site offers a doubled opportunity for you to get the best deals on stuff you want. Here’s what you have to do:
- Browse online for your dream product. Find the item you plan to purchase online and copy the URL from the page that has an “add to shopping cart” option.
- Open PricePlease.com. Paste the URL into the box you’ll find on the PricePlease Web site, then choose your method of savings (”price drop alert” or “refund alert”).
- If you choose “price drop alert”: This function will email you if and when the price of your desired item drops. That way, you can wait to buy until you’re sure of a bargain.
- If you choose “refund alert”: This function sends you an e-mail if the price drops after you buy it, so you can contact the retailer for a refund. This is great for items you need right away but still want to save on.
The Debtress says: A nice way to track prices online without making that your full-time job!
Know All Your Choices: CheapUncle.com
This site works by compiling the prices from various online retailers so you can choose the best one. You have to:
- Name your product. You type in your product’s name into the site’s search bar – you can be as specific or general as you want (e.g. “Mizuno Wave for Women” or “Running shoes”).
- Browse the offers. You’ll then be presented with a variety of products at various prices. You can click on items to learn more.
- Make a choice. Once you’ve seen a product you like, you can explore the coupon options presented and figure out how to get the best of the best deals.
The Debtress says: Excellent when you know what you’re looking for, and helpful to get expected price ranges if you’re just beginning a search.
This past fall I contacted you about Coupon Cabin’s new website, Coupon Map.com. It ended up being a huge success with the media and consumers. Since the holidays, Coupon Cabin has expanded its online money-saving empire and launched a new website, Dealfer.com. Dealfer.com is the first and only website that allows users to earn money by sharing deals with friends online.
The basic concept is to find a great deal, create a custom link online through Dealfer (similar to the tiny url process used for Twitter and Facebook)and share it with your friends. Once a friend clicks on your “Dealfer” link and completes a purchase, you earn a one to fifteen percent commission back on your friend’s purchase. You can leverage your social media networks (e-mail address book, Facebook and Twitter) in order to share with a wider group of people and acquire more commissions.
Dealfer features over 800 participating merchants from a variety of areas including fashion, beauty and technology, where users can shop, share and earn money. A few examples are:
• The Gap
• 7 For All Mankind
• Apple Store
• Ace Hardware
• Barnes & Noble
• Babies R US
With all of the online shopping and money-saving stories from 2009, Dealfer.com offers an innovative approach with the best of both worlds in 2010. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to receive additional information. I look forward to your feedback!