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Paper is passé for users of Shortcuts, an online coupon clipping service opening up with a partnership with major grocery chain Kroger.

When we first heard from AOL about the upcoming launch of Shortcuts, we were excited. No more forgetting to bring along the 40 cents off pizza rolls coupon from the Sunday paper.

Let's face it, a trip to the gas pump isn't much different than having a couple of guys with iron bars in hand "ask" for your wallet. Saving some coin at the grocery matters now, so we took the plunge and walked through Shortcuts for our readers.

Naturally, the process begins with logging in with an AOL or AIM user account. Then it's time to break out the loyalty card and add it to the Shortcuts account.

Available coupons and expiration dates appear in the Shortcuts profile. Shoppers add them to the card by clicking on them. They can print out a shopping list of items, including their coupon choices, to take along to the grocery.

During checkout, coupons are automatically redeemed by scanning the shopping card and finishing the order.

A limited number of coupon offers appeared in our profile. Upon checking with an AOL spokesperson, we learned additional companies like Kraft Foods and Kimberly-Clark should be available next week.

Linking coupons to a commonly-used shopping card makes sense. Whether one likes the idea of these cards or not, and some don't due to privacy concerns, they have been adopted by plenty of shoppers. Making them more valuable should be a good development.