Stretch your dollars online

HOUSTON You know those travel websites that search for the best deals for you? Well, these websites work the same way. They not only find the best prices, but they also search for promotional codes, coupons and let you know how you can get free shipping.

If you are a frugal online shopper, you know it takes time to comparison shop and search the web for coupon codes unless you use specific sites devoted to doing all the work for you.

"These websites save so much time and money," said Andrea Woroch with surfmyads.com.

She says using specific search engines will save you big. Take for example couponwinner.com and promotional codes.com. These websites offer free coupon codes from over 9,000 online retailers whether it's home improvement, clothing, and financial services. The websites also feature a unique comparison tool. You can select five different retailers and compare coupons side by side all on one screen to make finding the best deal even easier among the retailers that offer the same or similar product or service.

"So you have all the information you needed in one website to help you make a smart purchase and save money," said Woroch.

The websites constantly update their information so expired coupons and codes that are no longer valid are being pulled off the site throughout the day.

"We work directly with the retailer to get the coupons and codes on to the website so you know that they work," Woroch said.

If you are shopping for shoes, check out myshoes.com.

"We just help you find the perfect pair of shoes at the best price from hundreds of different stores and brands," said Woroch.

Myshoes.com works like this: first, you build your perfect shoe according to your personal style. The categories include style, heel height, color, brands, features and price range. Once you build your shoes, immediately the website will give you the options that are available by online retailers.

"Basically, we took all that middle work and got all those shoes and placed it in one website," Woroch said.

So let's see if the search engine is easy to use. We searched for a pair of strappy sandals. We want them to be nude in color and two to three inches in height and we have a budget of $25 to $50 dollars.

After creating our perfect shoe, instantly we have options. After choosing one, myshoes.com also lets me know that this shoe is being sold by two different retailers. One of them is priced at $41.20 and the other one at $69.95. In addition, the website clues me in on free shipping and a coupon code for an additional discount.

"So now you can go to one site, save time and find your perfect shoe at the price that is most affordable to you," said Woroch.

Keep in mind, if you do search from one of the these sites, they will redirect you to the official site to make your purchase.