I always use coupons when I shop at the supermarket.  But I had no idea Cyberspace offered ways to save big bucks on clothes. The secret is using online coupon codes.

“A lot of people aren’t even aware these codes exist,” says Barry Boone, creator of currentcodes.com, one of dozens of Web sites that lists coupons for various stores online. “If people take the time to look they can really save some money.”

The coupons are just like the ones you clip from the newspaper. You simply go to a site and click on a category or specific retailer. Click on the discount you’re interested in, up pops the code, and you’re taken to the retailer’s site. Enter the coupon code when you check out and your discount is automatically applied.

Currentcodes.com works with more than 1,800 online stores, including Kohl’s, Neiman Marcus, Ann Taylor, Old Navy and Gap, offering 30, 40, 50 percent off and more. The site is free and there’s no registration required. You can also find beauty stores on the site, including drugstore.com and beauty.com.

New coupons are added every day, Boone says.

Sites like Currentcodes.com, RetailMeNot.com and CouponCabin.com can also save you some money.

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It’s like watching the running of the bulls - in search of props. Shoppers began lining up for Thursday’s Macy’s annual Prop Sale on Wednesday. They wanted to secure a spot in line for a chance to buy everything from giant Christmas ornaments and perfume bottles to mannequins and display cabinets.

First in line was Fresia Tran, who secured s spot with her family at 4 p.m. Wednesday for Thursday’s 7 a.m. opening. “It’s so exciting to be here,” said Tran, 23. who was on the hunt for linens, bedding and furniture. “You come for certain things, but you see so many bargains you end up buying things you don’t even know you want until you see it and it’s available for such a good price.”

Macy’s annual Prop Sale, in it’s 10th year, is a tradition for most of the shoppers who stood in line at the crack of dawn. “This is so much fun each year,” said Alice Carr, who dragged first-timer, Teresa Lessak along. “This year, I’m looking for a mannequin for my son-in-laws bar.” Shoppers came armed with bags, carts and hampers with wheels to help transport their finds. The items come from 61 Macy’s stores in Florida. When they are no longer used or replaced with new items, they wind up at the prop sale, said Ivonne Amor, Macy’s Public Relations Manager.

The sale takes place in an outdoor area behind Macy’s Furniture Gallery on Gandy Blvd. It continues Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. So get there early and get a good spot. I did, and I snatched up two good looking mannequins - a full size and a torso - for $115. (That’s my gal, Sau C. on the right). I love a good sale!!!

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Have you ever tried to create a smoky eye and wound up looking like a heroin addict?

Must we concern ourselves with matching our shoes with our bag? And really, does your finger and toe nail polish have to match?

If so, hopefully you’ll find my new blog muy caliente. We’re going to talk about what’s happening - for real - in the world of beauty and style. Chicas and Chicos alike, this is the blog for you. Hablamos.

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