. >> the red laser ap is exclusive to iphone is among the best. similar aps are available for android phones. social media is also getting in on the act. >> twitter is a pretty remarkable shopping engine. >> the instant messaging rounds up deals and sales and coupons and puts them into a feed called early bird. many send their own tweets about deals. >> they can reach people easily and you can one click buy. they are making a lot of money this way. >> social media put a twist on the traditional coupon with groupon. >> possibly the best deals. >> groupon is hyper local, offering city-specific discounts from restaurants to haircuts. >> for caught on because people find you save 40, 50, 70%. >> they are only valid if enough people sign up. even if you are not part of the group -- >> at a minimum make sure before you buy anything, you search for an online coupon. >> sites including slick deals.net are among the options as well as wood's favorite. >> i like coupon geek.net because it puts everything in one place. >> sometimes simplicity can be its own d