When I was 8 years old, I was a rock star.
At least that is how I was treated when I helped my mom load up our gold Mini Cooper and deliver the Bargain Finder. This weekly newspaper was chock-full of free classified ads and people clamored for it.
It was a demoralizing day when I realized those loyal Bargain Finder readers were vying for a go-to source for all things cheap, not necessarily excited to see me.
I was a child of the ’80s who was raised by coupon-clipping, wheat-grinding, carrot-juicing parents. Though I narrowly escaped being named Autumn Star, my folks were not hippies. Being thrifty was just a way of life.
But I am a much different mother than mine was. Though budget-conscious, you’ll rarely find me sifting through coupons because I struggle to keep track and then actually use them.
And then this glorious thing called the Internet was invented just for me. I still remember when a friend introduced me to a deal-of-the-day website a few years ago. I was hooked.
Before long, my e-mail inbox was filled with alerts on the best deals in town. I purchased, became addicted, then overwhelmed and ultimately stopped cold turkey.
For a while, these daily-deal sites were like the golden child of the Internet, and they rapidly multiplied. But according to a new report from Daily Deal Media, the world lost 798 daily-deal sites in the second half of 2011.
I suspect my own intervention contributed to those numbers.
I’m much wiser and smarter now, but so are the daily-deal sites. Not only are they targeting niche markets (like parents), but they’ve figured out how to make it convenient for us.
As a mom, I have an ongoing love affair with Groupon Now! This free mobile app offers real-time deals you can use immediately. Now! uses your location to help you find restaurants and activities from museum tours to mini-golf, all offering Groupon deals at the time you search.
And you don’t have to have a smartphone to get in on the action. Just visit from your computer to access the same great prices.
I’m also a big fan of LivingSocial’s Family Deals. Its recent offerings have included a cupcake/pastry class and a Mommy and Me Manicure. Last year, around 20,000 kids found a summer-camp discount through this site.
It’s not news that most deal sites offer some kind of incentive, but LivingSocial has a unique twist with their Me+3 Deal. For example: I want to buy a deal that offers 30-minute swim lessons. If I make the purchase and then convince three of my friends to buy the deal through me, LivingSocial picks up my tab.
Who’s in?
Denver mom Kristine Colwill recently tipped me off about , a website that offers up to 80 percent off designer fashions for women, men and children. With more than 5 million members and 1,000 brand partners, she says she has bought some great clothes.
“Basically, you have 24 hours to purchase that day’s sales on designer clothing, purses and shoes,” Kristine raved. “You pay just one shipping price for everything you buy.”
Before I could object, she sent me an Ideeli invitation. And so it begins …
Now all I have to do is convince The Husband that I’m actually saving money with all this spending.
Amber Johnson edits The Denver Post’s Mile High Mamas blog (). E-mail her at amber@milehighmamas.com.
How to navigate the world of online deals
The sheer volume of daily-deal sites can be overwhelming. Here are a few ways to manage the oodles of sites out there without overwhelming your inbox.
aggregates deals from hundreds of deal sites for you. Simply select the categories that interest you and input your zip code, and the website will recommend the best daily deals in your city. One e-mail but lots of deals.
Groupon, LivingSocial and Google Offers are industry leaders. But if you’re looking for deals specifically targeted to parents, don’t miss Zulily, the overwhelming winner in a poll at .
Local momshave also recommended Juice in the City, Mamasource by Mamapedia, Mama Bargains, Denver Daily Deals for Moms, Totsy and Plum District.
Always read the fine print to ensure what you’re getting. Become familiar with the site’s return policy if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
Stay within budget. I learned this one the hard way. Even if it’s a great bargain, don’t make the purchase just for the sake of getting a great deal.
Do your research. If you’re not familiar with the brand, take the time to investigate by reading consumer reviews. It’s not a great deal if you have an unsatisfactory experience.
Use only well-respected deal sites. Many people want in on the action, and countless deal sites are popping up every day. Try to stay with sites that you know have a good track record. If you want to support a new start-up, take the time to investigate its track record.
