i’m addicted
Six months ago a magical thing happened: I discovered Groupon. And before I knew it I was throwing down my Amex for much-needed things like massages and hair cuts and half off at Mario Andretti’s racing school. And I was happy.
When Living Social jumped onto the scene I felt conflicted. Was I was cheating on Groupon? But I rationalized that competition is one of the building blocks of this country. And before I knew it my Amex was doing double time for keratin treatments and I was enjoying $10 off $20 worth of food at Bombay Palace. And I was happy.
I knew I was spreading myself thin but when I discovered Joss and Main I couldn’t help myself. Children’s Tabletop? Contemporary Luggage? Yes please. Keeping up with 3 sites full of attractive offers is time-consuming for sure, but I’m nothing if not a fighter. And I was happy.
And then I was invited to join Gilt and it quickly catapulted me into another world! A posh world of Badgley Mischka and suites at New York’s Carlton Hotel at a fraction of the cost. And I was in love.
Thank you Gilt for the ridiculously cute Fancy Nancy pajamas and slippers I bought for Maya. Nice touch with the feathers...
But today? Today I opened my inbox and I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t happy with the 7 offers staring me in the face – including one from Jetsetter taunting me with a Junior Suite at the Hotel del Crillon and an unsolicited email from Amazon Local offering me a good deal on Invisalign.
The truth is that my Amex and I are tired. We’re tired of the barrage of emails and we’re resentful we have to keep up with so many sites and deals. And because we’re both unhappy I’ve decided to unsubscribe from Groupon and all its copycat sites.
And I will. Right after I buy myself a designer Thanksgiving turkey and a pair of faux-crocodile Hunter Boots for $99. Wish me luck.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
Right I need to know how this work i get so many emails from groupon and Kgbdeals and living social .. I am always wary do they work of jsut take our credit card details ..
Do let me know or hey email me 🙂 Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
It’s totally safe from my experience…you put your credit card in on Groupon’s (etc) site. I haven’t had any problems yet!
Sounds risky to me.
Why does it sound risky?
I bought several things off those sites and now I mostly delete the emails without reading them.
I’m headed in that direction…
Um yes- where did those Amazon emails come from? I get two daily because I moved over the summer…
And I know what you mean about keeping up with them all. Groupon is usually the only one that gets open daily. They stole my heart in the beginning…
For some reason Amazon’s local deals was the final straw for me. I unsubscribed today!
Don’t even talk about Groupon to me! I literally have FIVE that are unused and expires on Dec. 31st!! grrr. So addicting!
That’s how they make so much money! People forget about the certificates/don’t use them before they expire.
oh i’m the same way! it seems like there’s even more deal sites popping up daily! i have a list of about 10 websites i go through every morning over coffee. i think raising it over 10 would be unhealthy… so it’s a good thing one of them is dealnews that combines all of those 400 deal sites into one list where i pick what i actually need/want. The plus side of the addiction is we never go out to eat without a coupon now, and i get my pampering at the fanciest salons for a hair chain price. as tempting as it is to buy things i may not think i need… i’m not ready to give up the addiction.. the christmas season is coming up and that means groupon and living social try to outdo each other, like they did with amazon or target deals last year. i’m totally ready to embrace the battle!
Why haven’t I seen Amazon or Target deals before? That’s something worth buying!
I have the same problem!!! But you can’t quit just yet. Check out Amazon’s MyHabit.com: free shipping and return. But refund credits only. Luckily they become Amazon credits so at one point I had over 1000+ credits… yes I need help too….
I quit today! I feel liberated…but I am intrigued by MyHabit. I haven’t heard of it before.
Ok do you know how much time I have no spent on the Gilt website LOL??!! There is a reason why we are friends 😉
Hotel de crillon… I die
*kisses* HH
Me + you at Hotel de Crillon one day HH. We’ll have tea!
I hear you. I’m still trying to get around to scheduling a macaron-making class I purchased a groupon for when I was in an ambitious mood…
Macaron making class? How fabulous! That’s worth buying for sure.
You’re too funny! I keep thinking about trying out Groupon and Living Social, but since I live in a realatively rural area, I don’t know if they offer things around here. I’m almost afraid to look! Glad you feel you have your addiction under control! 😉
Don’t take the plunge Fran…it’s an addicting world. Save yourself! 🙂
You’re hilarious.
But I too have thought of taking part in these sites. Everyone at work as been going on and on about the mani-pedies they’re getting for clearance rack prices! Love those pajamas and slippers.
The manicure/pedicures are a good deal for sure. It’s the other stuff that I need to stop wasting my money on…
I unsubscribed from them all too! I was sick of the daily emails taunting me!!
You inspired me Daisy…I unsubscribed from Groupon today!
Groupon IS so addicting!
All of the Groupons ’round these parts have been terrible lately. I don’t know if local businesses are just over it or what, but all we seem to get are deals on framing, photo printing and teeth whitening. So over it.
Rue La La on the other hand, holds a special place in my heart. I think that DvF might be going on today. LOVE.
Is there any designer better than DVF? I think not. And now I want to check out Rue La La!
I know how you feel. I’m not good in resisting temptations. I used to subscribe to Gilt then I did more damages than good so I willingly unsubscribed myself. Luckily, I’ve never subscribed to Groupons nor Living Social. But I’m still subscribed at/with Haute Look, oh you should see what they have for the vacation destinations! Want me to send you an invite to Haute Look? 😉
I haven’t heard about Haute Look before…and as tempted as I am I must decline the invitation. It’s for my own good. 🙂
–All I need is another addiction.
Damn you, Ameena 😉
Don’t get started! Otherwise you’ll be regretting it like me. 🙂
I love Groupon and Gilt too. You should also check out Hautelook. They have great stuff in general but they have an excellent assortment of kids shoes and clothing.
It’s going to be hard but I am NOT going to check out Hautelook. I just can’t!
I had to go cold turkey from all the shopping sites like Guilt and Rue La La. Only bad things can come of that. Bad beautiful, stylish, fancy, wonderful things….
I did keep Groupon and Living Social, but mostly for the tasty restaurant coupons. I usually delete them right away if I don’t know what they are for.
Today I eliminated Groupon and Living Social…Gilt is a bit more difficult to give up but I’m hoping to make some progress with that one. Soon.
I have no idea what I will do with these deals when I move back to the States. They have blown up in my absence and I am afraid I will not be able to control myself upon my return. Wish me and MY Amex luck! 🙂
If you can avoid looking at one site I think you can avoid looking at them all Kristen! I wish you loads of luck in this endeavor. 🙂
I am addicted too 😦 I get about 20 emails everyday for such offers and deals, I spent at least 30 minutes every morning on these emails, waiting for an amazing deal that I can use. These websites are addicting, but it has its advantages. Me and my husband bought movie tickets for $4 each (even for 3D movies) which is an awesome deal. We also keep searching for escape deals and restaurant deals.
There’s no going back for this addiction, I guess!!!
Never say never! I unsubscribed from Groupon today…I’m making progress. Slowly.
Haha, I totally hear you..right now I’m inundated with Groupon, Zulily, BabySteals, DailyCandy, etc…so hard to keep up!
I want to see the Hunter boots!
Zulily is new to me…I’m learning way too much in the comment section of this post!
I was just telling myself the same thing this morning! I have way too many living social, groupon, i dont-even-want-to-know-what-else’s that I have to spend soon.
I bet Maya will look adorable in that outift!
At least I don’t have any unused deals at this point….the deadlines really stress me out!
We don’t have Groupon here in the Middle of Nowhere 😦 Driving fours hours to redeem the nearest coupon is required. In general, I try to buying anything these days. Except a monthly massage. That’s as fundamental as a utility bill.
I haven’t had a massage in forever…agreed that it’s fundamental. I need to remedy this situation very soon!
Ditto. I moved everything to junk. I figured if there’s some crazy amazing 99 cent deal, my husband will tell me anyway! I’m much happier and my bank balance is healthier 🙂
Somehow my techie husband is not addicted to these sites…not sure how that’s possible.
I’m on groupon and the daily save deals and this other one that’s only in LA but might be moving down to my city soon. Yeah, it can be a bit much but I’m usually ok with just buying a few here and there. My budget only allows so much so that’s that. Maybe you can take a break and then just subscribe to one.
I need to take a break. Permanently. From all of them!
I’ve never used Groupon, LivingSocial etc. but I do have a separate e-mail account that I use to sign up to things like that because I absolutely despise promotional spam. Sounds like a dangerous addiction – but those PJ’s are adorable!
It is a dangerous addiction Nada…you are lucky you haven’t been sucked in!
I have coupon after expired coupon sitting in my coupon envelope. I love the deals but can’t figure out how / when to actually use the stuff. I unsubscribed a long time ago.
Love the fancy Nancy jammies
I knew you were way smarter than me Deena!
Thank goodness we don’t have any such schemes in Mumbai- I am pretty sure the deals would rope me in without much effort…whether or not they actually appeal to me. I’m a sucker for deals!
How is it possible that India doesn’t have this concept yet? I’m really surprised!
I also recently unsubscribed from Groupon and Living Social…my blackberry blinks like crazy every morning with all the e-mails clogging my inbox from them. I sure hope you won’t unsubscribe from Gilt though 😉
I haven’t Sara and I think that Gilt is too good to make a break from. 🙂 Do you get a discount??
I have only heard of Groupon. Here everyone is signed up fro Sreamin’ Deals because the kid’s schools receive money when you do. I think in 2 years we’ve used it twice. There are great deals to be had but you have to have money in the first place.
I haven’t heard of Screamin’ Deals before…but yeah you have to have the $ in the first place…
You and your amex are not tired. They are hyperaroused. Sounds like borderline personality to me….
which completely puts the tootsie and gobble gobble combination come into a grander perspective….
They don’t have Groupon over here in Europe. But Amazon, that’s another matter….
My Amex and I are borderline obsessive… 🙂
Oh the shame of the youngest Glam Teen pointing out that it was all just Spam! Posh spam, but spam none the less. I unsubscribed from it all. GG
My God Glam Teen is brilliant! It’s totally posh spam.
Agreed! The number of crappy deals far outweighs the good ones. Now if they had a site that was just deals on cookies (or slippers with feathers), I’d be all for it! 🙂
Gilt has loads of deals on things like macarons…I haven’t taken the plunge yet but you may want to check it out.
I have unsubscribed to many emails as such. So addictive yet annoying. Doesn’t go hand in hand 😀
Absolutely! So addictive and yet so annoying.
Ha, I rarely open my groupon emails. I’m so lazy with that type of stuff. Those pajamas for Maya are adorable!
In this case being lazy is a good thing…
I love Living Social, but I’ll have to look into Gilt!
It’s going to change your world…
lol. ive subscribed to most of those sites but always been hesitant to click on the offers. I am always so tempted but afraid I might get addicted!.
btw those pjs are so cute!!! you must have put maya in them and made her stand on the table for you to stare at them all day. lol i would
If they sold these pajamas and slippers in my size I would have bought them. They are too cute.
I have yet to find a good groupon deal that I could use. Just found one recently in 2 years and I think this one will be useful.
I find my share of useless ones but there are loads of really good ones too…
I had only ever heard of Groupon and Living Social before this post. Personally, I only subscribe to Groupon. I will take this as a caution not to sign up for anymore such sites!
Save yourself! It’s too late for me.
oh man I’m in the same boat…hence why I’m taking pottery classes (?!) for the next few months. I had a question about your giving up sugar- do you avoid all sugars (including honey & agave nectar) or only refined sugars? Thank you!
I avoid pretty much all sugar except for Trader Joe’s 72% dark chocolate – which I am addicted to! Aside from that I’m totally okay with avoiding honey, maple, sugar, etc.
Happy to see someone else has given up, on keeping up! All these fantabulous deals got too much and I had to unsubscribe from most of them. Besides, often I can really do without the stuff they sell, well almost….!
I can really do without most of it as well. And I’m learning that now that I’m no longer bombarded with emails!
i know what you mean. i recently cancelled my subscription to living social because i realized it was just depressing getting all these e-mail abt get away deals to jamaica, australia vegas etc that i could not buy 😦
Definitely don’t take on Jetsetter Piya because those destinations are the most amazing – and depressing – of all.
haha I’ve avoided Groupon specifically for this reason. I know I wouldnt be able to control myself, and my poor Visa is exhausted enough as it is. 🙂
In the sites’ defense I have tons of clients who have done yoga and acupuncture or as they call it “weight loss by groupon” so I’m a fan. Maybe your Amex just needs a nap.
I suppose it’s useful in those instances but when presented with a good pair of jeans or a yoga class we both know which one I’m going to choose…
I’m right there with you…I was excited about all these cool “deals” at first. But now I get about a dozen emails a day offering cheap bikini waxes. Enough! Thank you for sharing another post with me. After a morning of baking, I smiled. Much love!
Cheap bikini waxes! That’s one I haven’t seen yet. And hopefully won’t have to see!
Funny… So easy to get carried away 🙂
A designer Thanksgiving turkey???? I’ll make you one for half the price. 🙂
I avoid those sites like the plague just for that reason.
If only you lived closer…you know I’d hold you to that offer!
All my Groupon e-mails annoy me. I never want anything they offer (enough to pay for it).
Do they have Groupon in Paris? I had no idea!
You’re so funny! I have a separate Inbox for all of those groupon-like companies.. Google has offers too. I love the restaurant deals though, it’s such a steal. Maya’s pajama set looks so pretty.
Google has offers too? Maybe I should ask who DOESN’T have offers like these…
Good Luck, and don’t forget to actually use them before you unsubsribe 🙂
Luckily I have nothing unused sitting around!
My inbox is a hot mess because of these places, and I’ve signed up for deals maybe five times (because I am a cheapskate). But! I am getting the best of Groupon. Ha HA.
I can be really cheap too so I totally get where you are coming from.
Haha good luck breaking away from those sites. 😉 They really ARE addictive. I jumped on that bandwagon a year ago and was forced to stop when I really truly had no money. The deals are pretty awesome, which makes it harder to quit…
Those pajamas, by the way, are ADORABLE!
And you’re half-Indian as well? That’s awesome! I love meeting other half-Indian people. So far I’ve only known two. One who was half-Indian/half-Chinese (gorgeous girl) and a really handsome half-German/half-Indian boy (who was kind of stuck up, ugh). Have you met many others?
I know many half-Indian people! It seems common here in LA! And I can imagine how pretty the Indian-Chinese combination would be…
I want those! I want those! So pretty 🙂
Back in Bangalore all these great deal sites proved to be pretty heavy on my pocket… it was like I can live without food but not without the Oh So Great Deal of the day ( as if I was dying without them :))
Anyways I took control and marked all those email addresses as Spam so that I do not see them.. I must say that now my temptation is in control as I see Groupon’s ads at many a sites these days but I am not paying any attention… I won I won 🙂 🙂
So this Groupon concept IS in India. How cool. And kudos to you for taking the plunge to mark these things as spam. I am slowly doing the same…
I have not been able to sign off these lists yet. I keep wanting to but then fee like I may end up missing out on some fabulous deal. That’s how they get us and keep us…
Sam, it’s been almost 48 hours since I unsubscribed from Groupon and I swear I don’t miss it at all!
HA! The same thing happened to my mom. I’m obsessed with Scoutmob… do you guys have that? I love it because you don’t have to buy anything first; if you have the app, it keeps track of all the deals and you just get 50% off when you use it at one of the featured restaurants. Pretty cool.
This is the first I’m hearing about Scoutmob…I think the concept is way better than Groupon!
Since I let my last Groupon purchase expire, I have forbidden myself to use it! I get very panicked buying something off of there – I just can’t handle the pressure – this is why I’m insane btw.
And Zulily. Oh Zulily…
I was addicted to those deals! I even put groupbuyunited.com as my homepage, lol. All those deal websites are combined together in this one. I enjoyed all the cheap prices they offer. But at some point, I realized that I was spending money on things that I didn’t need.
So now, I unsubscribed from those website already. Maybe one day, when I accidentally check out those websites again and find out that I missed a really good deal, I’ll subscribe to them again :p
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i love the idea of groupon and all it has to potentially offer, i just always miss them haha