Save Money and Get Your Groupon!
I love a good deal. The word "Sale" makes my heart quiver with glee. Since I'm a tech-enthusiast, I will price stalk deals online, waiting for the lowest possible price that I can imagine on any given item. I got a $50 Wii game for $28 earlier this year and still feel very proud.
People have known how to Google search for coupons before checking out of online stores for years. In fact, I even taught my tech-novice mom how to do it and she regularly calls me to tell me how she saved $10 at Land's End. We've seen couponing on the Internet grow and change and become a passion for people who are deal hunters. Whole sites, like RetailMeNot.com, are dedicated to web-based coupons. I know that I regularly share them with my friends when I come across a great deal.
One of the newer coupon ideas out there is Groupon. Each day, the site features a deal on the best things to do, eat, see or buy in your city. (See a list of cities here.) However, just because it's offered doesn't mean you'll get it. The site works on the idea of collective buying power. If enough people buy the deal of the day by midnight, your card is charged and you are sent a link to print your Groupon. If not enough people sign up to buy it, then you're not charged and no one gets the deal.
Want to know some of the deals that have been offered as of late? $25 for $50 worth of food at Las Velas. $30 for a one year membership + guest at the Columbus Museum of Art. $35 dollar registration for the US Half Marathon in San Fransisco, a $75 dollar value. $89 for a ten week language course. As you can see, the Groupons are quite varied in their offerings. Stuff for you to do by yourself, with your partner and with your family are all offered at greatly discounted rates. One of the Groupons today mentioned that it would make a fabulous Mother's Day present, so there's the gift giving aspect as well if you see something that you know a friend or family member would love!
I'm loving the concept. A friend of mine introduced me to the site by telling me about the great deal she got on minor league baseball tickets for her family. I'm lucky enough that I live close enough to take advantage of two cities' Groupon sites, regularly stalking both Columbus and Pittsburgh. I actually plan on stalking some of the deals in cities that we will be vacationing in or around later this summer.
Apparently I'm not the only one who has noticed the awesomeness of the site. Groupon is apparently catching on with other tech lovers as a similar site just launched last week to service New York City. There are talks online as to whether this is fair. Quite honestly? If it saves me money, I'll hit as many sites as I can!
Have you used Groupon (or a site variation) before? What's the best deal you have snagged?
Jenna Hatfield, aka @FireMom on twitter, also writes at Stop, Drop & Blog and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land. When she's not stalking sales, she works as a freelance writer and editor. She also works as a newspaper photographer.
