Everyone is always asking how I save so much on groceries and other household necessities (cleaning supplies, toiletries, makeup, etc). I'll tell you...it's easy.
One day, a few years ago, I happened to be watching Oprah. I'm not a regular viewer, but that day an interesting topic was on: saving money. At the time,I was a poor college kid with a mortgage and almost no food in the pantry. My (now) husband would starve along side of me, but when we went shopping, I was always shocked that he could throw down like, $200-$300 for food and things that would only last 1, maybe 2 weeks. And we were poor, so we couldn't afford many of these trips. It sounds awful as I write it, but I know a lot of people who say the same thing to me; "We spend $xxx a week, every week, and it's just on stuff we need."
I was there too...the "wake up" point was when my mom came over one day, cried her eyes out when she realized there was maybe one box of macaroni, a stick of butter, and a 2 liter of pop in my entire house. Yeah, it was that bad. She left and came back with about 10 bags of groceries and I felt lower than low. Nobody wants help. Nobody wants to fail. And like everyone else, I wanted to learn a way to be able to have enough, all without breaking the bank.
So fast forward to that day on Oprah. Teri Gault, founder of the grocery game, was on. She was talking about her website and how, with the use of coupons, it helps people save money. Sure I cut coupons. But most times they would expire or I would forget them at home. I never gave it much thought; I mean, didn't my shopper card save me a lot already?
They talked and talked, and then she said the magic words: the first 4 weeks of the grocery game are only $1. I talked to my husband about it and he said, "What can we lose for a buck?" I remember thinking, "Maybe we shouldn't join. Maybe we can use that dollar somewhere else." Thank God I listened to my husband and not me. We joined (yes you pay for it, and I'll get to that). It ended up being our saving grace. We now have more than we could ever need. We get so much stuff free (or for cents!!) that we have (for the most part) stopped taking it. Other stuff we take and give away to those who need it. Sounds crazy, I know. But a household of only 2 people can only stock so much. Food pantries and poor friends love us. And I can (honestly) say it's all due to the game.
I know there are some skeptics out there. And I'll come out and say I have nothing to gain by telling anyone this. Sure, if you join, you can say I referred you. But if you don't, no big deal. My only wish is that someone would have told me about it sooner...and my only wish is to pay it forward in hopes that it might help others out as well.
The game does cost money (as we discussed before). The cost: $5 a month (billed bimonthly, for 1 grocery store) and a Sunday paper every week. If you ask me, the (over $5000) I saved this year is well worth that small cost. And the fact that I have enough food, and other supplies to both last me and give some away to others, is all I need.
Good luck and happy gaming! I hope if you use it, that it will serve you as well as it has both my family and friends! : )
P.S. In case you are wondering, our weekly budget is now $75. That includes food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, makeup, etc (pretty much anything coming in to our home). I can't remember a week when we have gone over that budget. Last week was a very expensive week: we spent $60 (which is a lot for us these days) and saved $95. Yes, most weeks are that shocking (ie: spend $19, save $50, etc.) You'll see, I promise. Just give it a try. And more importantly, please pay it forward to those who could really use it : )
