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Business & Tech

Online Coupons: The Hidden Secret for Shoppers

Alright, maybe not so hidden- but a lot of people don't think to check online for coupons before shopping in reality.

Go for more shopping tips and tricks from the .

In today’s economy, we need all the resources we can find to save money.  The Internet can be your new best friend in saving money. All you need to do is go on your search engine, whether it is Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. and search for the store or stores you plan on shopping at.

If you plan on shopping at Kohls, type in “Kohl's coupons, Kohl's coupons 2011, Kohl's printable coupons, and Kohl's online coupon code.” You will come up with several sites, so read the brief description before opening the site, to make sure it would work for you.

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Please use caution opening up sites, and make sure that your server and anti-virus programs indicate it is safe. If you use Firefox, there is usually a check mark and a magnifying glass, which indicates these are safe sites.

If you enter a site that requires information such as your name, address or other personal information, avoid these sites. If the site requires membership, especially a fee for membership, avoid these sites. There are plenty of sites, where you just simply print off the coupon or they provide coupon codes, which are safe. Also, read the restriction on the coupons and expiration dates, this will save you embarrassment and time.

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I have used this method for shopping in Santee and rarely pay full price for anything. I have found better coupons and coupon codes are generally available for , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and about 80 percent of the restaurant and fast food establishments.

Santee Patch has more local coupons on the site all the time, and doesn't require you input any information to print them out. Just click "Marketplace" in the top menu and choose "Deals."

Why pay full price, when all it takes is a computer, Internet and printer? Happy Saving!

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