Frugal Family: Coupon Savings with no Scissors Necessary

While the days of clipping coupons will never fade away for the true frugalista, technology has brought a new way to share information and savings. There are many online sites that offer substantial savings if you know where to look.

Groupon has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, an on ABC, CBS and other news sources. Deals are listed and once the required number of people purchase the coupon, the deal is officially on. Coupons can be printed out from your computer or brought up on the screen of your mobile device since they also offer mobile versions for iPhone, Androids, Blackberry or regular mobile web browers. Currently they’re offering a Gold-Package Car Wash at Kuhnsville Car Wash (up to $12 value) for just $5. Having used Groupon frequently for discounts for Crayola Factory as well as area shops I do recommend this site. Deals are not only local but online as well as with a discount for Baby Genius DVDs and bonus CDs at press time.

Double Take Deals is one that I visit often because it’s featured in our Clipper Magazine so the deals are always local. This week there are deals for Hampton Lanes Bowling (though being a member of Kids Bowl Free is the way to go if you plan to bowl with your kids this Summer), and Crystal Springs Creamery ($10 for $20 worth of ice cream) among others. 

Living Social is another site with daily deals though they also have a feature that is great if you have friends who like to save – share for a free deal. After you buy a deal you’ll get a link to share with friends. When at least three buy that same deal using your link your deal is free. They advertise up to 90% off the best of your city. While they don’t have all cities listed, the closest is Philadelphia; deals like $27 for a family pack of tickets to the Franklin Institute make it worth checking out.

Family Finds is a new one I recently came across. They’re another one of those sites where you pay a little to save a lot. A deal I came across offered a 20% coupon when you ordered Crocs from their website for $1. Even if you buy the cheapest ones priced at $15 that’s still a savings of $3 or in actuality $2. Most people commenting on this deal replied that when you sign up for the Crocs newsletter you receive a code for 20% off so in this case – save your money but deals change so while this deal may not be enough to cause everyone to run to their computer to order Crocs, it still may be worth signing up to see what future deals they’ll be offering.   

If you enjoy going out to eat for less then Restaurant.com is a site you may want to look into. You can typically buy $25 gift certificates to area restaurants for as low as $10. The catch - you normally have to spend a certain amount. Can you still find good deals? A few local eateries are offering $100 certificates for $40. You have to spend at least $200 so for a $200 dinner you’re technically spending $140 plus tip. In the long run you may not save a huge amount but every penny counts. Current restaurants listed include The King George Inn where you can get a $25 gift certificate $10 and the Rodeway Inn Restaurant and Lounge where you can get a $10 gift certificate for $5 or a $25 gift certificate for $10.