A guide to the best deal-of-the-day websites

It's official: The sheer number of deal-making websites has reached mind-boggling proportions. Google the words "get a deal" and in 10 seconds you've got about 650 million results. How do you make sense of it all?

As you have probably noticed, a new type of website is making it easier for consumers to connect with deals specifically of interest to them. These websites use email alerts and text messages to keep members in touch with deals and offers. Instead of hunting for deals, the deals come to you. Now your challenge won't be finding bargains on your own, but finding the right service to help make the deals for you.

Groupon, of course, is the granddaddy of deal-making sites. Groupon starts out offering you deals by region, and, as you use the site more, learns about you and makes more tailored deal suggestions.

Here are some other top sites for finding great deals:
Parents Deals - A new deal of the day website of particular interest to parents, Parents Deals is owned by Parents magazine and Parents.com. The site offers access to discounts on parenting and family products and services in your area.

DailyCandy - On this site you'll find DailyCandy deals for services, restaurants and entertainment in five major cities: Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco and Chicago. The site says it aims to ultimately offer deals in every major American city.

TimesLimited - You don't have to be living in Manhattan to crave the latest TimesLimited deals. The New York Times' email program provides members with offers for products, services and experiences from select Times advertisers.

And these big company sites are great, too:
PGESaver.com - Procter & Gamble products are ubiquitous in American households, so this site, which offers e-coupons for popular P&G brands can help you save money on basics you use every day.

CouponNetwork.com - In addition to printable coupons for groceries, this website also lets you earn dollars-off rewards. You register for the rewards program, then earn points when you purchase promoted products. The rewards can be used like cash for future purchases.

By sending consumers email offers and text messages for deals, coupon websites are making it easier than ever to save money - and find what you want without wading through millions of options.