Social networks are great connecting people with each other, but the next evolution of the Internet in our lives is about saving money.

Groupon and Living Social broke ground on using the power of the Internet to offer daily deals on products and services. This online price advantage teams up with WJXT and News4Jax.com with the launch of Jax Big Deal.

This online discount program offers a daily local deal available 24x7 by checking the Jax Big Deal site every day and taking advantage of the offers that interest you. You can also sign up for daily emails so the offers arrive in your in-box, you don't have to go looking for them.

To take advantage of a minimum 50 percent savings, you buy and print a voucher with from the site, then get ready to cash in on the discount.

Among the deals offered in the first few weeks are half-off lunches and dinners and local restaurants, at least 50 percent off massages, acupuncture treatments and dance-fitness classes, even a gambling cruise with a food/drink voucher for half price.

A couple of things to keep in mind so you use your Jax Big Deal discounts wisely: Some of the vouchers carry an expiration date and the prepayment does not include tax and gratuities.