Get the Most Out of Groupon

Who doesn't love getting discounts and saving money? Certainly this girl does, which is why I put together these tips for getting awesome discounts and savings on already marked down deals. The best online discount website I've found is Groupon.com; it's easy to use and offers amazing deals.

Groupon launched in 2008 and has become so popular it passed on a $6 billion buyout offer from Google. Groupon offers daily deals from various businesses. Deals start off around 50% and can go as high as 90% off the regular price of a product or service. You can join Groupon by signing up to receive daily emails featuring deals in your city. The site offers a variety of categories for deals like: Food and Drink, Events and Activities, Beauty & Spas, Health & Fitness, Automotive, Shopping, Apparel, Jewelry & Watches, Electronics, and Getaways.

It's easy to set up an account. Once you search through the categories and find a deal you like, click on the deal to find out the details. You'll be able to see details like the retail value and the discounted price, the time left before the offer expires, how many have been bought, the company info, the deal info, and where the deal is located. If you decide to purchase the deal click on the big green "BUY!" Button. It will take you to the Order Details page where you can enter your payment information and complete your order.

Buying from Groupon is pretty straightforward, but there are ways to get even more savings if you know where to look. Below are a few tips to help get you the best discount on your favorite items.

Look for Promo Codes

Don't stop looking for discounts just because you are getting a deal. Because Groupon is a large site, it works on affiliate platforms and offers promos for third party sites which means more coupon codes for you, the buyer. Do a Google search and you'll be able to find dozens of Groupon promo codes. You can also use a browser extension like PriceBlink.com, Invisible Hand, or Coupons at Checkout to find and add coupons automatically.

Teach Groupon What You Like

You can categorize your deals while you shop to improve your Groupon experience. Under each deal, there are words to describe what section the deals falls into along with a gray heart. To show interest in that particular category, hover your mouse over the heart, and the heart will turn into a plus sign. Click on the plus to add the category to your favorites. Groupon will use your favorites to find you additional offers you might be interested in.

Go Mobile for Targeted Deals

When you use the mobile version of Groupon on your smartphone or tabletyou provide the company with detailed information about your present location. By buying on the go, you can teach Groupon the locations at which you spend money. Groupon then knows where you're likely to buy and provides hyper-local deals. The company will also recognize the times you buy out of your regular buying zone; e.g., a few purchases in another state over a short period indicates you may be on vacation.

Get the Inside Scoop with Social Media

Groupon often turns to social media rather than emails to leak information on deals. Follow Groupon on Facebook and Twitter to get the inside scoop on deals and promotions. This way you don't need to search the site for new promotions, they will show up on your news feed instead. You can also interact with the company on social streams for extra rewards.

I hope you enjoyed these tips to get the most out of Groupon. What great deal have you found on Groupon.com? Do you have a favorite online source for coupons? Let us know in the comments section below.