Don't Let the Economy Scare You! Live –and Dress Well- with a Little Help From Your Friends, LA-Story Recessionista™:

It’s a hard time during this economy. People, TV and newspapers all talk about doom and gloom and how hard it is when people are losing jobs or cutting back so severely that they can’t go shopping.
You will find a series of posts on this blog that will tip you off to great deals & outright bargains on fashion, food, travel, beauty, fitness, gifts, and lots more to ease the pinch of that tightening budget. How to spot these posts? They will be named LA-Story Recessionista ™and it will be the signal for the bargain-hunting, price breaks and special sales, events, stores, and websites where you can save money.
In my circle of friends across the web, we are all feeling the pinch of what the economy has done and more than one person I know has lost their job or had to change jobs in the last 3-4 years at least once. Some have solid jobs, some have more entrepreurial jobs and they are trying to carve out their niche. No matter how they pay their bills, because of the price increases across the board in gas, food, rent, utilities and more, everyone needs to stretch that buck a bit farther.

Recently the LA Times Food section ran an article on Teri Gault and her website, the GroceryGame.com
It was an interesting piece that caught my eye about how this woman saved hundreds of dollars each week by understanding how the grocery chains plan their sales strategies and also how to get the most bang out of your coupons! Teri Gault went on a shopping challenge and wound up with well over $100 worth of food and paid about $30.00.
Think that’s unbelieveable? I did too until I really went through her website and looked at the mechanics of it.

Think of this as a game– because it is just like monopoly– only the money is real and it’s yours. How well you play depends on how well you follow the rules! The better you pay attention to the bargains at your store, stockpile “best buys” and use coupons, the more you save.

I joined Teri’s GroceryGame.com website and for the first month it costs me $1.00 for 4 weeks of lists, online coupons to print out and the rules of the game. While I tested it out within a couple of days– and it did take some time to get the hang of the “game”.
Here’s the essence
1) make sure you have snagged every paper coupon for products YOU USE– not just stuff that you find but actual products and brands you like.
2) make sure you have a general list of what you need and things that you always buy
3) be aware of (read/pick up the market circular)
4) print out the list for your market in your specific zip code (that’s how the grocerygame.com is set up by stores in *your* zip code!) and highlight the things you would typically buy; things you need to replace and things that you could/should stock up on.
Given that it was my first time — and my supermarket of choice was in the midst of completely remodeling the entire store (NIGHTMARE!!), it took just over an hour to do my shopping. However for my $160 some dollars I spent, I save almost $78.00 — and yes there were things in the basket that weren’t on sale or special. However had I not purchased those things, I bet I would have saved another $15.00.
Smart shoppers, once they are on “their game”, can save in a big way– just empty out that freezer boys and girls because you need to stock up.
Suggestion: read the LA Times article and join the Grocerygame.com for one month (it costs you one dollar). Try it and see if it will work for you. It did for me. You do need to spend some time every Sunday clipping coupons– so get some big fat envelope and organize things. Print out Teri’s weekly list and go shoppping.
If you could save $75.00 every week, that’s $300.00 per month and that’s enough to get a facial and a great hair cut and even maybe a dress with some smart shopping.
Look for more ways you can live in style and not pay full price!! It takes a bit of time and some organization but it’s definitely a great way to go through the holiday season, knowing that you are saving money to pay for gifts!
Stevie Wilson
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