Monday, August 31, 2009

Pinching Your Pennies


Want to share deals or post big savings tips? Pinching Your Pennies is an AWESOME forum for doing just that! There isn't a ton of participation yet in the Nevada Forum so I thought I'd do a post to get awareness out there so we can all start using it! Basically, you just register then can share info on extra deals you find as you are out shopping. The Grocery Smarts lists are great, but if you find something extra - this is where you can post it for everyone to see!I get emails all the time from gals with more deals to share and if we can pass the word around and all start using this forum, it will become a great resource for all of us!

Walgreen's Trip 8/31/2009


3 cans Geisha Peaches
1 can Geisha Pears
1 Rembrandt toothpaste
1 Mens Zone
1 6 Razor pack
1 Theraflu Cough/Cold Syrup
3 Jello
2 Kraft Velveeta Cheese Dinners
2 Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese Dinners
1 Colgate Reach Toothbrush
1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush
4 cans Sardines
Total: $56.10


Walgreens 15% Discount: $ 6.40(15% discount for one day onlyfrom Walgreens.com)
Coupons: $10.84
Walgreens advertised savings: $12.09
Register Rewards Used: $21.00

OOP: $ 5.77

Plus I received $14.00 rr

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

FAQ



What is Grocery Smarts?
Many shoppers who want to save money at the grocery store spend hours scouring over the ads and digging through piles of coupons to find what matches up. Grocery Smarts puts an end to all of that craziness and simply matches local store ads to current coupons (found in the Sunday paper) in an easy to use list. The list is updated each week as new ads are released and even links you instantly to any online printable coupons that are out there. Using an easy "5 Star" rating system, the list even tells you which deals are the BEST deals! And, the greatest part about these lists is they are free! Free for anyone to use, anytime... and you don't even have to register or fork over your email address to use the service. Nice, huh?

How can I learn how to use the lists?
The best way to learn how to use the store lists is to attend a class. If you haven't ever been invited to one, consider hosting your own! In-home classes work the best, so grab your friends and family to attend and contact me to book one anytime!

What's a class like?
Classes generally last about an hour (depending on how chatty the ladies get). In that time, I teach you the benefits of shopping the sales, show you how to do it, and give you recommendations on how to stay organized. It's not complicated or difficult to learn because the list does all the hard work for you.

How much time will I have to spend clipping coupons?
Virtually none! Seriously, the Grocery Smarts big wigs came up with literally a "5 minute" method that'll keep you organized, yet not feeling overwhelmed. You only cut what you need, when you need it!

Is it really worth it?
It is for me (and lots of my friends and family)! I've been couponing for along time and my budget is in good check and my pantry is full. My favorite part about shopping this way is I actually get to buy nicer brands. No more generics for me... nothing beats a name brand item when it's on sale and has a coupon to boot! Plus, my hubby praises me for my trophy receipts (the ones where I save more than I spent)! Seriously, I hang these on the fridge and he loves it!

So... What's the catch?
Several other similar online shopping services charge users a monthly membership fee to access their coupon matching service. However, in an effort to be a head above the rest, the founders of Grocery Smarts didn’t think charging a monthly fee to families who are trying to save money made any sense at all. They started thinking outside the box and realized that regardless of what service you use, in order to shop smart and to do it right, you need multiple sets of coupons from the Sunday paper. They thought, "Why charge a fee to the user… when the newspaper sits right in the middle directly benefiting from the concept we teach?" So, the Grocery Smarts big wigs presented their concept to the Review Journal. They quickly realized that when we teach our classes, we naturally refer new subscribers to the paper. So, you can imagine how quickly they jumped on the opportunity to open their market up to moms like us who typically wouldn't be getting the paper at all.

So here's the long and short of it... At the class, as I teach you the concept of shopping smart and show you how you can use the website to save money at the store. And, because having the right amount of coupons (1 set for each person in your household) is such a key part of saving big, it makes sense for me to hook you up with the papers you need at the class. I offer the Review Journal at amazing prices to anyone not currently taking the paper, plus can get you up to 4 more additional Sunday papers delivered to your door for less than a buck a week! And that's why the class is free... I make money based on how many new subscriptions I turn into the Review Journal. So, I guess we can all thank them for stepping up, getting involved and helping Grocery Smarts keep the classes and website FREE for everyone!

Start Here!!


After following the Grocery Smarts concept for the past four months, my pantry is very well stocked! Our youngest daughter, who is a junior in college, shops from the pantry when she makes her occasional weekend visits. Filling this pantry and saving money in the process is the most fulfilling part of the story.

How do you start?
I was first introduced to Grocery Smarts at a class I attended. I learned about the free website that would help me plan the best way to shop using coupons from the Sunday newspaper (I now get five Sunday newspapers). Each store has an individual listing of their weekly sale items. If coupons are available, they are also listed. It sounded easy, and it is! I have consistently saved an average of 60% on my groceries since using the website.

Have you attended a class?
If you haven't attended a class, contact me and we can discuss how you can hold one in your home and earn free groceries. When you do attend, I can show you how to save at least 50% on your groceries and hook you up with a sweet deal on your Sunday Review Journal. I'm hoping this blog will help keep you informed and excited about Grocery Smarts. I try to share ideas and tips that you can use to save money.

What's next?
Go to the Grocery Smart website HERE and print your shopping list. If you just ordered your newspapers, it will take some time to accumulate multiple coupons. Each week you will accumulate inserts and before you know it, your savings will increase. But you can start saving the very first time you go to the store by using the website to shop the sales more efficiently.

Do you have your newspapers already?You know you need multiple coupons to maximize your savings, which means you need multiple newspapers. The Grocery Smart concept is to have one set of coupons for each member of your family. For less than $1 a week, you can get an extra Sunday newspaper.

Current incentives for ordering your newspapers through me . . . .

$5 Gift Card for ordering 2
$10 Gift Card for ordering 3
$20 Gift Card for ordering 4 or more!


The savings go on and on! As you continue to use the website and experience the coupon savings, your pantry and shelves will be stocked. You will be amazed at the amount of money you are saving on groceries and other household items your family uses regularly. Before making a purchase, don't be surprised if your hubby or children ask, "Do you have a coupon for that?" You'll probably find that couponing is contagious. The more money you save, the more you want to save.

So bookmark my blog and check back each week to see how I have been using my coupons. Hopefully I can give you some ideas on how you can save even more money!