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En español | Compare online. PriceGrabber.com, Nextag.com, Bizrate.com and Pricewatch.com provide price comparisons from scads of vendors selling just about everything. Decide what you want, and a link takes you directly to the product site.

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SNAP. Of those eligible, 68 percent don't sign up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps). Now, users can double the value of their benefit at some 200 farmers' markets nationwide, thanks to Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit that works to bring affordable, fresh, local produce to American homes.

Time is money. On average, coupon users save $8 per supermarket visit from 13 minutes of clipping—more than $400 a year, according to the coupon industry. Those who devote 20 minutes a week to the task shave their annual grocery bill by nearly $1,000.

It’s a wrap. Use Sunday comics or old maps and calendars for colorful gift packaging. Twist a nice dish towel around a bottle of wine to create a
double gift.

Hunt for the best shopping deals to save money. — Photo by: Chris Mueller/Redux

Deal-a-day. Social buying websites have taken off this year. You can join Groupon, LivingSocial and BuyWithMe for daily deals that show up in your email promising local discounts on everything from teeth whitening and yoga classes to maid services and fly-fishing. Dealfind and Dealon also feature deals on food, local events and services. Dealery.com and Yipit aggregate offerings from multiple sites for one-stop e-shopping.

Organics on a budget. Fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides can cost twice as much as non-organics in supermarkets. Local growing means lower shipping costs. Go to the Organic Consumers Association for bulk-buying co-ops and farmers’ markets in your area.

Next: Don't sleep on those rebates. >>