Gilt Groupe; The Brilliance, The Danger

Let's face it, Gilt Groupe could be the most brilliant shopping tool online today. Cutting edge designers, limited edition apparel and novelties, all at extremely reduced prices. You set your preferences and sizes, name brands you like, and the next thing you know your inbox is beeping at you and there it is. The daily email from Gilt is potentially the most hazardous few moments of my day. I can't tell you the number of times I've filled a shopping cart with credit card in hand, but had to snap back into consciousness and not spend $400 on sneakers jeans and sunglasses simultaneously.

The catch of course for those of you not fully educated on the product is that each sale starts at a certain time each day, which means you have X amount of time to beat out the other sneakerheads to pick up your new pair before they sell out. The gift and the curse with any fantastic deal, is of course quantity. Here's the deal, to sign up you have to be invited by someone who is already involved (have to love elitism). SO find your friend who knows the secret and get the invite. Just watch your credit card.