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Community Corner

Cyber Monday Offers Big Online Discounts

Savvy consumers will find big bargains on Cyber Monday!

Cyber Monday is a chance for consumers to save some big money online, from the comfort of their own homes! If you are not aware of how popular it has become, take a look at the numbers provided by the National Retail Federation.  Last year, 96.5 million Americans shopped online during Cyber Monday while 79 million Americans shopped at brick-and-mortar retailers on Black Friday.

Before you make your online purchase, look for discount codes and free shipping offers.

The following tips will hopefully will make your shopping run more smoothly:

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Household: Household products, toys and clothing are always big holiday hits. Target is offering 50 percent savings on select apparel, children’s games and TVs and electronics. During this entire holiday season, Target is offering all online shoppers free shipping on any purchase of $50 or more. Sign up for deal alerts at dailydeals.target.com to find out more. 

Kohl's is slashing prices on its site from 35 percent to 60 percent. Pay close attention to their pillows, mattresses, watches and outerwear. Get 15 percent off your order when you use your Kohl's Charge.

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Personal Gifts: A little something for the ladies (hmmm, men??) Victoria's Secret is offering up to 70 percent off select bras, underwear and sleepwear. Shoppers who buy sleepwear will receive a free pair of slippers if they use the code VS10SLEEP. Receive free shipping on their order by entering the code SHIPVS1.

Who doesn’t love a nice gift basket filled with quality treats? Harry And Davidpurveyors of holiday boxes and baskets filled with fresh fruit, candy, cheese, and chocolates, is offering gift baskets with 25 percent off any purchase. Just enter coupon code CMAD25 at checkout.

Travel Deals: Travel deals are now part of the big to-do, you just need to surf around. For example, with Loews' Cyber Monday sale, book a stay at a choice of 15 Loews properties in the U.S. and Canada and receive an automatic 20 percent discount off the lowest rate.

Book a room at one of Pacifica Hotel Company's California hotels on Cyber Monday and save $50. Pacifica has 24 hotels, inns, and cottages across the state, including locations in Laguna Beach and San Diego. Use Pacifica's booking code CM2011.

TV and Electronics: Word has it TVs and electronic sales are going to be of the best deals out there. One anticipated hot deal at Best Buy is a 32-inch LG 1080p HDTV is selling for $549.99, for savings of $250. A 50-inch Panasonic Viera 720p plasma HDTV is selling for $649.99, down from $799.99, and a 32-inch Toshiba 720p HDTV is available for $349.99, down $50.

Wal-Mart announced it will provide free home shipping on any purchase over the amount of $45 on electronics such as HDTVs, laptop computers, iPods, cameras and eReaders. Shoppers must buy the electronics at Wal-Mart. The offer is valid and runs through Dec. 19.

Sites to Scope Out: Find the best merchandise by doing research on a site likeConsumerReports.org, and then check current prices at a site like PriceGrabber.com. Some sites to help you sort through the deals on Cyber Monday and throughout your holiday shopping are WalletPop.comGottaDeal.com and CyberMonday.com.

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