Eversave, one of the daily deal sites targeting  women and their families, has compiled a list of eight tips to help consumers from being overwhelmed, supplying pointers to help them be smart about their use and purchases of daily deals.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the urgency of a one-day-only deal and feel like you’ll miss out if you don’t buy, but a deal isn’t really a deal if it’s not right for you.”

Daily deals are an excellent way to save money, explore new restaurants and try new experiences. However, Eversave wants consumers to think before they spend. Eversave asked eight expert bloggers for their best advice on how to use daily deals.

Tips include (also, see infographic below text)

1. Just say no. “Only purchase deals you actually need and will use,” says Rachel Gordon of Mashup Mom. “It’s easy to get caught up in the urgency of a one-day-only deal and feel like you’ll miss out if you don’t buy, but a deal isn’t really a deal if it’s not right for you.”
2. Limit the number of deal sites. Ashley of Frugal Coupon Living recommends limiting the number of deal sites to which you subscribe. “Choose sites based on your location and likes.” Sites like Eversave cater to women and frequently offer member perks whereas other sites might offer more nightlife-related deals that better suit your lifestyle.
3. Keep track of expiring deals. Devon Weaver of Mama Cheaps sorts her deals by expiration date and then keeps them in a three-ring binder. “Stay organized! Keep purchased deals in a binder sorted by expiration date or mark those dates on a calendar. Setting up alerts on your phone works great, too! Now you’ll always know when a deal is about to expire.”
4. Keep them handy. Keep your deal vouchers where you will see them and use them. Whether it’s in the glove compartment of your car or in your wallet, make sure you have your deals handy. Advises Karen of Koupon Karen, “Print out all your daily deal vouchers and keep them in folder near the door. Then when you are on the way out, you can grab the folder in case you want to use any of them while shopping.”
5. Don’t let a good deal go unnoticed. “Shop deals early in the morning so you have time to share the best offers with friends,” says Beckie of Infarrantly Creative. “Some deal sites, like Eversave, offer credits and incentives when you share a deal and your friends purchase them too.”
6. Remember birthdays and holidays. Andrea Deckard of Savings Lifestyle buys deals as gifts. “Create a list of potential gift recipients. Make notes of special wants, needs and sizes for each person. Watch the daily saves to purchase items on a discount,” she says.
7. Don’t forget date night. Deb Sutherland of Frugal Living and Having Fun likes to get ideas from deal sites on where to plan date night. She said, “With all the various restaurants, hotels and attractions they introduce through their deeply discounted daily offers, dating has never been so much fun and affordable.”
8. Only buy from reputable deal sites. According to Liza of Addicted To Saving, consumers should really make sure the deal site they are buying from is a trusted source. “I want to see that there is a customer service team available in case I have questions or concerns.”

“Yes, as a daily deal site, it might sound crazy that we are telling consumers how to use, buy – or in some cases – not buy daily deals. However, we want consumers to spend and use their daily deals smartly.”

Southeast Venture Conference, February 29 – March 1, 2012 at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, VA – Where Smart Money Meets Smart People.
www.seventure.org

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Tags: Eversave, Frugal Coupon Living, get the most from a daily deal site, Infarrantly Creative, Koupon Karen, Mama Cheaps, Mashup Mom, Savings Lifestyle