It seems like there are new daily deal sites popping up all of the time. With so many great deals available online, it could be very easy to get carried away and start spending way more than you should.
I have made shopping the daily deal sites a bit of a game, and here are my rules:
- Create a separate email account to use when signing up for daily deal sites. Most will send out at least 1 email per day, more if you register for different cities, so it is easier to have a separate email account than to clutter up your inbox.
- Set a budget for how much you are willing to spend on daily deals each month. DO NOT go over this amount no matter how good the deal.
- Only purchase items that you would buy anyway for yourself, your family or as gifts. This means doing Christmas shopping and other gift shopping year round, so include those items in your budget.
- Only purchase items that are truly a good deal! That may mean doing a little extra research, but I don’t want to spend $20 on an item that I could get for $15 some where else.
- Share the deals you find with others. You can often get credits in your account when a friend signs up using your link therefore stretching your budget even farther.
I just started shopping the daily deal sites in December, and am pleased with the deals that I have gotten so far. I have purchased books that gave out as Christmas presents, an Amazon gift card that I used to purchase diapers, a restaurant certificate, a Barnes & Noble gift card, a Bath & Body Works gift card, and two magazine subscriptions. Total Out Of Pocket – about $10, because I had the credits available to me for free items, and I still have more than $150 in credits broken down over several deal sites, so there will be lots of shopping in my future.
So which sites do I check out on a regular basis?
Eversave – Eversave is a regional deal site. You select your Saves by city, and then make your purchases using a credit card. When you sign up as a new member, Eversave deposits $2 in your account to use towards your first deal. Some offers on Eversave are limited to going into a physical location, while others are good online so check out multiple cities to see what the day’s deals have to offer. I recommend looking at cities in your region, as well as those that you plan on traveling to within the next year. You can often find great deals on dining, hotels, and attractions!
Groupon - Groupon is a group buying website that is broken down by region. In order to get a deal, a minimum number of people need to participate. There are different deals for each city, and some are available online where others require you go to a physical location. I recommend looking at cities in your region, as well as those that you plan on traveling to within the next year. You can often find great deals on dining, hotels, and attractions! Groupon occasionally emails out promo codes to apply as much as $10 to your account.
Living Social - Living Social offers one deal per city/region per day. Each deal is live for just 24 hours, and when you make your purchase you will be given a unique link to share with friends & family. If three people make a purchase using your link, you will get your deal for free! Living Social now offers Escape deals and Family deals for several regions each day in addition to their regular deals for each city. Get $5 Deal Bucks when you join!
One Kings Lane – One Kings Lane partners with top brands and designers to give our members insider access to designer décor, entertaining and travel needs, food & wine, fantastic gift selections, and exclusive tag sales curated by today’s top tastemakers – at up to 70% off retail. New sales launch daily at 8am PT/ 11am ET. Tastemaker Tag Sales start Saturdays at 8 am PT/ 11 am ET and again on Tuesday evenings at 6pm PT/ 9pm ET. The Pantry, a delicious Sunday tradition, features hand-selected gourmet foods and wines. All sales last 72 hours. You’ll also want to visit Our Shops for timeless gifts, home essentials, and life’s little luxuries. Come early! Quantities are limited.
Pure Citizen – Every weekday morning, Pure Citizen features daily deals on products from a company that is making the world a better place. You will find products that are organic, fair trade, biodynamic, natural, sustainable, recycled, handmade…The great thing is all products are marked off up to 90%! Each 72 hour sale will also benefit a non-profit organization of the featured brand’s choice. You can choose which percentage of your savings, if any, you donate to that day’s non-profit. Donate a lot, save a little; or donate none and save a lot – it’s in your hands. So, be inspired, shop consciously and vote for a better world.
Rue La La – Rue La La is… an exclusive, invitation-only online destination where Members discover premier-brand, private sale Boutiques, each open for just a brief window of time. Rue La La hopes to bring their Members a welcoming shopping experience full of discovery and pleasure. Their focus is a well-edited collection of sought-after offerings from the best brand names in the world — combined with helpful service.
Gilt Groupe – Gilt Groupe provides invitation-only access to highly coveted products and experiences at insider prices. Each day, Gilt offers its members a curated selection of merchandise, including apparel, accessories and lifestyle items across the women’s, men’s and children’s categories. In addition, they provide the best in home decor and entertaining essentials, along with luxury travel packages and fantastic offers on local services and experiences. Most sales start at noon ET and last only 36 hours, making Gilt.com an exclusive shopping destination for luxury at up to 70% off.
No More Rack – No More Rack is an online shopping destination for those who want quality, brand named apparel and accessories at prices up to 90% off retail. They offer authentic designer merchandise as well as non-branded trendy items offering our customers variety – through limited-time, daily deals and our larger outlet store which will be coming soon. They are here to offer their customers the very best deals each and every day. No More Rack is the trusted place to always find the best prices, always 100% authentic apparel and with our 24/7 customers service we are always here to help. Deals go live daily a noon ET. Get $10 added to your account when you sign up & use gift card code P1070.
Mamapedia – Mamapedia has partnered with some of the most in-demand businesses and providers to bring you incredible discounts on the products and services you know and love. From family-friendly restaurants to children’s museums to spa days, Mamapedia Sweet Deals help make life easier and more enjoyable for busy moms and their families. Best of all, they help you stick to your budget and boost your savings—and that’s a perk every mom can appreciate. Get $5 added to your account when you sign up!
Totsy – Totsy offers moms on-the-go and moms-to-be access to brand-specific sales, up to 70% off retail, just for them and the kids, ages 0-7. Prenatal care products, baby gear, travel accessories, bedding and bath, children’s clothing, toys, DVDs, and educational materials are just a sampling of a selection that promises only the best in quality and designer brands. Membership is by invitation or request only. But the sooner you join, the better. Each sale lasts only 48 to 72 hours. Totsy is the first company in private sales to take on sustainable and socially responsible initiatives in all areas of business. With every purchase you make through Totsy, we will plant one tree in the name of your child to help reduce the effects of deforestation. Who says shopping can’t save the world?
Gaggle of Chicks – Gaggle of Chicks offers daily deals on the best products and services for moms and their families delivered right to their inboxes. They are highly selective about the deals they feature, opting for vendors who have been recommended by their network of moms, not just who give the best deal. Their partners range from bakeries and beauty products to children’s classes and mommy boot camps. They use a new social approach to buying. If enough moms sign up for a deal and become part of the Gaggle, it “hatches” and everyone receives the discount.
Most company descriptions are taken directly from their “about” pages.
