Everybody knows how to clip coupons the old-fashioned way, but now there are more ways to save than ever before.
As technology develops, more and more people are using their phones and computers, instead of their papers, to save money.
Andrea McCarthy is a busy mother of four and the founder of the website MyCNYMommy.com. She uses her site to compile coupons from many different websites to help others save, and she says coupon websites are just the beginning.
"There are definitely more ways to save than ever before, using your phone using your computer, using facebook, the daily deal sites," says McCarthy. "All of it is bringing big savings now to keeping people's budgets in line."
McCarthy recommends using social networking sites, like Facebook or Four Square, to save money. On Facebook, if you like a company's page, that company will often give you a coupon. If you check in to a location on Four Square enough times, you may eventually become the "mayor" of that location, making you eligible for discounts and coupons from the retailer.
There are also subscription services that help people save. In Syracuse, some of the more popular sites are Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com. Living Social also offers a family edition. These subscription services will send a deal to your phone or email address every day. Living Social also offers a feature on some deals that would allow you to get your deal free if you get three other people to purchase the deal.
Groupon works a little differently. A certain number of people have to buy the deal before it becomes active. That's where the word "group" comes in. However, for many businesses who participate, that's not a problem.
We checked in with Sardo's Pizza in Syracuse, which had a Groupon deal listed last week. Within hours of the deal's posting, more than 200 people had already purchased the Groupon. The business was pleasantly surprised at the response.
"Obviously, if they're going to go ahead and purchase it, it's a guaranteed customer, whereas, a lot of these clipper ads are going to people that may not even eat pizza, may not ever even look at them," says owner Mike Canestrare.
Groupon takes a portion of the profits, but many businesses say it's worth it to be able to reach new customers.
Do you use some form of technology to save money? Share your advice below!
