Quick Tip: Know the Code

Speaking of shopping: before you buy anything online, Google the name of the site or product your shopping for, along with the word "code." Sites like RetailMeNot, tjoos and MyCoupons (among others) compile lists of both online discount codes and printable coupons. The selection ranges from high-end cosmetic brands to diapers to pet supplies, and everything in between. Many of the sites rely on consumer submissions, so the codes aren't always 100% reliable, but thankfully, most sites also have features allowing users to rate the success of a given code or coupon, so you know how likely yours is to work.

Just to give a couple of examples, in the last two weeks, I've saved $10 on a bookcase (from Hayneedle) for my daughter's room, and another $1o off of a cake pan and birthday party decorations from Celebrate Express. In case anyone was wondering, buying these products online- even before the discount codes- was actually less expensive than buying the same exact items from a brick and mortar retailer, even taking shipping costs into account.

BTW, this trick works if you search Twitter for the same words, though your success will probably be more limited. Good Luck!