Hunt bargains online: Add computer clicking to your coupon clipping

Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) (MCT) - Although we no longer trek through the jungle or cross wild plains to gather food, searching for affordable groceries can still feel like a hunt. And even that landscape is changing. Scissors and paper are giving way to the digital form of a bargain _ online coupons. If you know where to go, there are loads of extra deals out there.

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Visit a specific store's Web site. Almost every grocery store has its own online coupon section on their Web site. Most also send weekly e-mails to their customers with special deals. Some even allow you to load coupons onto your preferred customer card before you get to the store.

Here are some tips:

Couponsuzy.com or coupons.com. Both sites offer more than $80 in manufacturer coupons that can be added to your store-specific savings. While other sites like couponmom.com can bog you down in registration forms, pop-up ads or surveys, these sites don't require any of those time busters. They do require you to download a free printing program, though. Don't bother visiting both sites, they offer the same coupons.

Smartsource.com. This site has a few extra coupons you won't find on couponsuzy.com or coupons.com. It also asks you to download a free printing program. The site eversave.com offers the same grocery coupons, so don't waste time going to both sites.

Look for a specific brand. This method takes time, because not every brand's Web site offers coupons. To start, search for larger brands like General Mills or Pillsbury. Most personal care brands such as Dove and Neutrogena also offer coupons and free samples on their Web sites. Be prepared to fill out a registration form, though.

Don't sign up for everything. Pick one or two Web sites, and register for their special savings programs. If you register with too many sites, you'll get more information than you can use and an unruly e-mail account.

BONUS COUPON TIP

Don't order anything online without checking couponwinner.com first. This site has more than 10,000 coupons for thousands of retailers including Target, PetSmart and JCPenney. In addition to free shipping offers, some of the coupons offer up to 60 percent discounts. Most of the coupons are only redeemable online, but the site also has printable coupons.

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© 2008, Daily Press (Newport News, Va.).