Saving money made easier through web exclusive ‘deals’
Photo: Lauren Horsch
Deals. They’re everywhere. From the grocery store to the mall, consumers are looking for deals more than ever. Cutting out coupons can be handy, but there are several sites dedicated to helping money-conscious people find the best and most reliable sales.
One of the most popular websites is Groupon. It’s a website dedicated to deals on merchandise, stores and getaways, and the website works with 48 countries. Membership is free, and once you’ve chosen a deal, Groupon will personalize your account by showing more deals you may be interested in.
Other sites like Groupon include Daily Candy, Living Social and Gilt. “The thing I like about Living Social is that if enough of your friends sign up for the same deal, you get it for free,” journalism professor Chris Snider said. He recommends looking at restaurant deals and the website Deal Chicken.
While these sites are great for supplies and experiences, there’s a whole other line of websites dedicated to shopping. Haute Look, Rue La La and Rent the Runway are just a few.
“Being a poor college student isn’t really going for my style right now, but Hautelook makes it easy for me to window shop from my dorm,” said sophomore Haley Austin.
These websites specialize in exclusive deals for members. Some, like Rue La La, are selective with a waiting list for new members. Hautelook and Rent the Runway allow people to sign up for free. They carry designers such as Hervee Leger for significantly discounted prices.
Austin recommends Rent the Runway. She discovered the site when shopping for her recruitment dress.
“Most dresses are in the $30 to $50 range and you get to rent them. You get two sizes of the dress you want to make sure it fits perfectly, and dry cleaning is included,” Austin said.
A final trick for deal shopping is to make a separate email account. “That way your Drake email doesn’t get overflowed with them, and you don’t get annoyed,” said sophomore Raquel Rivera, an Amazon and Groupon shopper.
Though the sites may not have everything you need, they can still make your dollar go a little further.
Sites to save more green