This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Coupons? Check. Sale flier? Check. Facebook and Twitter accounts? Definitely.

Social networking sites can be great money-saving tools.

In fact, even if you're not on these sites to connect with friends and family, you may want to take a few minutes to create free accounts, just for all the high-value printable coupons and other offers.

Have a favorite shopping mall? Go to Facebook to see if it has its own page. The Facebook page of Tanger Outlet malls (http://www.facebook.com/tangeroutlets), for example, is updated frequently with links to new coupons. Ditto for South Towne Center in Sandy (http://www.facebook.com/SouthTowneCenter).

If you have a favorite attraction in Utah, following it on Facebook or Twitter can help you keep track of discounts. Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy alerts its Facebook fans to any of a number of money-saving offers, such as free-admission days and admission discounts.

I learned on the aquarium's Facebook page that those with annual memberships to Tracy Aviary or who have a KUED public-television membership card can qualify for half-off admission to the aquarium.

Do you tend to buy a lot of items from one particular food company? Check the social media sites to see if they have an account. Nabisco frequently offers high-value coupons at http://www.facebook.com/nabiscocookies. Toymaker Hasbro recently posted a buy-one-get-one free coupon at http://www.twitter.com/familygamenight.

Old Navy announces sales and posts coupons — most recently a printable coupon worth $5 off a $25 purchase — at http://www.facebook.com/oldnavy.

Many restaurant chains have money-saving offers on Facebook — once you're on the page, just click on "coupons" or "offers."

Some companies are more active in posting deal updates than others. Einstein Bros. Bagels frequently offers high-value printable coupons at http://www.facebook.com/einsteinbros. Iceberg Drive Inns in the Salt Lake Valley frequently post discounts on http://www.twitter.com/icebergDriveInn.

A handful of money-saving blogs also do a good job of alerting consumers to the best Facebook or Twitter offers.

Tweeters include BargainDivas.com (twitter.com/bargaindivas), UtahDealDiva.com (twitter.com/utahdealdiva), Freebies2Deals.com (twitter.com/freebies2deals) and Coupons4Utah.com (twitter.com/coupons4utah.)

On Facebook you can simply type the blogs' names in the search field to find and "like" them.

The social network phenomena just keeps growing.

Facebook has unveiled a local-deals application for those with certain mobile devices that provides alerts to discounts in close proximity to users. Go to http://www.facebook.com/deals for more information.

On Twitter, companies are reaching out to consumers in a variety of ways, including "Twitter Parties." Join in these virtual get-togethers and you can get coupons and other offers — and most include prize giveaways. For more information, go to http://www.twitterpartyguide.com.

Many of the offers I have found on Twitter and Facebook can't be found anywhere else —which make them valuable tools in anyone's effort to save money.

Lesley Mitchell writes One Cheap Chick in daily blog form at blogs.sltrib.com/cheap. —

Save big with social networking sites

To create a free account, go to

> Facebook.com

> Twitter.com