It depends on the clue. If its about a word, then I stick to it. If it wants the last name of the guy who won the winning touchdown in the 1923 superbowl, I google it, and curse the crossword maker.
If you have finished as much as you are able to without "help", anything you use after that I consider new learning which keeps the brain sharp (especially on Saturday). Sometimes getting only one word of "help" lets me finish a whole section. I use crossword books,/atlases or direct on-line research, then Rex Parker or Donaldsblog for the finished puzzle. Checking the completed puzzle also helps figure out the way puzzle-makers and Will Shortz (the editor) play with the clues and answers.
I am with most others on this - I do as much as possible without reference materials, then when absolutely stuck (or if there's a useless trivia question outside of my interests), I'll start with looking up the most obscure (or annoying) subjects.
So long as you don't use the reference materials prematurely, you are still getting everything you can out of the puzzle. Letting them become an option too early, though, lessens both the enjoyment and the value of taking on the puzzle.
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necessary evil
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I swear crosswords are keeping my brain functioning.
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Crosswords
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So long as you don't use the reference materials prematurely, you are still getting everything you can out of the puzzle. Letting them become an option too early, though, lessens both the enjoyment and the value of taking on the puzzle.