Groupon Now

Over the long weekend, I was chatting with a friend about living in NYC (read: the most expensive place ever) on a young professional’s salary (read: not exactly rolling in the dough). We were talking about how its practically impossible to survive and still have fun without cutting financial corners here and there, and knowing about secret little bargains that will save you money. Buying your non-perishables in bulk at Costco, shopping at stores like Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx, knowing the best happy hours deals—all of these things that save you $5 or $10 bucks at a time add up to living the life you want all within your budget.

Now Groupon has come out with a new way to save money. It’s called Groupon Now, and it’s particularly rad for people with iPhones and blackberries. I still live in the dark ages and have a regular old cell phone, but for those of you on the cutting edge, well-it’s pretty awesome. You go to the website, put in your current zip code (in NYC, it changes by the part of town you’re in), select a category and it pulls up deals happening RIGHT NOW in your area. You can choose from several activities: eat something, have fun, get pampered, go shopping, go out, exercise, take a class, get flowers, take care of myself, or treat my kid. Then groupon picks deals accordingly.

It takes the guesswork out of finding savings, and gets you a coupon for just about anything you’re in the mood for at the moment. Drinking? Well, it has drink specials. Eating? Discounted food. Gone are the days of waiting around for the semi-annual sale at Victoria’s Secret or the Labor Day savings at Macy’s to get your shopping highs. With Groupon Now, you can get the thrill of getting just about anything on sale, instantaneously.