Know where information is going online

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Monday after Thanksgiving is the traditional day to shop until you drop without ever leaving your chair.

Cyber Monday - the less stressful alternative to Black Friday; all it requires is a computer, and while your boss would prefer your home computer, it's inevitable thousands of us will be online shopping from our cubicles on this day.

But when your making those purchases, it's always good to know where your information is going.

For instance always make sure that any web site you plan on entering a credit card number or address starts with https, the "s" stands for "secure."

And before you decide to purchase any item, make sure the free shipping promise the retailer offers, actually pertains to your purchase.

Since retailers need to make a profit, they may guarantee free shipping but only on purchases $75 dollars and up, for instance.

Always read the fine print.

If you get online coupons sent to your e-mail or if you find that accessing online coupons is easier than you thought, it would be like one for Target; it says 5 dollars off any purchase of 25 dollars or more. It's also re printable, but if you get caught you could go to jail.

Generally, online coupons look like ones you would cut from the newspaper. They usually have a bar code and an expiration date.

If one of the key indicators is missing, then so are your savings. And of course, never buy an online coupon which requires you to pay a fee.