I’m right where I’ve always loved to live, in the world of savings! I resist paying full price on anything, from TVs to tofu. I thrill at finding buried treasure, a promo code for pillow cases, or a printable coupon to take to the shoe store. I’m also known as a haggler. My methods are kinder and gentler, resulting in a transaction that makes me and the seller smile. Saving money wherever I go has always been one of my favorite games to play!
My passion for saving money must be genetic. At twelve, I was often given the duty of grocery shopping with just ten or twenty dollars. I don’t remember feeling pressured, but rather challenged to make it work! It was a game of numbers and savings… just what I lived for! Even mundane tasks could be a game! A line at the bank could become a race against the clock, a game of figuring how long it would take to get to the teller. Count the people in line, divide by number of teller windows, and multiply by the average time per person “OK, we should be up there in five minutes and twenty seconds.” Start the clock, the race is on! “Uh oh, that lady just took more than the average time… but wait! That guy was fast! We just might make it!!!!”
In the year 2000, I created one of my greatest games, www.TheGroceryGame.com, a website to share my weekly grocery savings strategies with anyone who wants to play and win.
Here are 5 key game-winning strategies:
5. Timing is everything – As in any good card game, you have to know when to play that coupon! Just because you got coupons for some things you like this week, doesn't mean this is the week to redeem those coupons. In fact, you'll usually need to wait and play this week's coupons over the course of the next 12 weeks. Coupons usually don't expire for about 12 weeks. And fortunately most items go on sale at least once during a twelve week period. So... hold the coupon for a sale! In doing that, you can usually save a total of about 67% off the regular price! Now that's a winner!
4. Stack the deals – Offers abound: sales, manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and manufacturer rewards. Look for opportunities to stack all of the above for killer deals on a single purchase!
3. Store brand isn’t always cheapest – At regular price they’re usually about the same as a name brand on sale. But name brand on sale with coupon usually beats Store brand!
2. Biggest isn’t best – People think the giant packages are cheaper. Not always. Where there are three sizes, the medium size is often the better deal. But add a coupon, and the math often favors the smaller package. Use a calculator to make a winning move!
Tons of deals, and countless ways to save!
Game Rule #1: Never pay full price!
