Grocery bargains on Web sites help savvy shoppers save a bundle

Coupon clippers click away for deals

By Kristen Kridel |Tribune reporter

December 25, 2008

With the economy in the doldrums, more consumers are hitting the Web to shop for bargains before hitting the grocery.

"We make it a little bit easier," said Paul Davis, chief executive officer of mygrocery deals.com, which helps consumers find grocery sales at some 270 retail chains. "This is a fabulous way of saving money. Many say they save up to $200 or $400 a month."

A number of grocery Web sites track the best sales, sort coupons and even calculate savings with a few mouse clicks. Most are free.

The sites help shoppers find grocery sales by store, brand and specific product. Others, including coupon mom.com and grocery guide.com, offer directories so shoppers can find the exact coupons they're looking for in their newspapers.