As Seen on TV ...

So, last week sometime I see a report on The Today Show. They are doing a feature about this Terri woman and something she calls the Grocery Game.

Terri is this woman who developed a system of time management to match up store coupons with in store specials, maximizing her savings at the store. She took this obsessive/compulsive, but highly thrifty skill, and spun it into a web site called The Grocery Game. Now, for $10 every two months, you can get a copy of her list making these matches.

As I watched the report, Terri and some went volunteer shopping and she was able to take a $450 shopping bill and knock it down to $50! Amazing, yes?

Now, I know this woman was buying for a family, and she probably stock piled certain items I would never buy, but I still thought, "Dang!"

So I checked out Terri's site and signed up for the $1-4 week trial. I also bought a Sunday paper and clipped coupons I thought I would use and matched things to the list.

I must say the list was handy. Much easier to read then a store circular, being just a list of items, and it clearly showed what regular price was, the sale price and what, if any coupons, could be used. Finally it showed what you ulitmately would pay.

So, with its help, I made a list, gathered some coupons together and went to the store. After careful comparision, I went to the check out and rang up $41 and change. Just like TV, I ran my store discount card. That saved me $6.47 which included a peanut butter stock pile I knew was on special becuase of the list. I wouldn't have gotten PB otherwise.

Then I ran my coupons for another $4.50 in savings. I saved nearly $11! And I have to say, it was fun to see that price go down! Now, $11 isn't $400, but in this day and age with gas what it is and everything else, $11 is $11.

Some of my bigger savings:
Two tubes of Aquafresh $5.98-$2.00 in store sale-$2.50 coupon=$1.48 or $.74 each.
Bottle of Fructis Shampoo 2-1 $3.29-$.79 in store-$1.00 coupon=$1.50
20 ct. Advil $6.39-$2.40 in store-$1.00 coupon=$2.99

Now, I haven't found a shampoo that is "perfect" so know loyalty there and I have decided to give up brand loyalty on tooth paste (come on, 75 cents!) but hey, you gots to do what you gots to do. And those savings were from only one week's coupons. I have some to carry over and more every week!

I see it as this, the paper costs $1.75 on Sunday. The Grocery Game is about $1.30 every week. If I only save $10 a week, that is still a net savings of 6.95. That's a lunch I can buy out instead of making it. And I don't have to buy toothpaste or peanut butter for while ...

Anyhoo, I know there are friends and family that might REALLY benefit from this, so check out The Grocery Game. If you clip coupons and can remember to turn it off before the 4 weeks are up, what do you have to lose?

If you wanna drive me car ...

So, I was all ready to get on Hugh's case about Hummer's and Michigan, when I double checked his blog and it was a lack of Hummer's in Wisconsin that he lauded in June.

So, here I am in Houston, TX, when I pull up behind a Hummer with Michigan plates. I was, "A ha! A Michigan Hummer! I have to blog about this and get on Hugh's case!"

In retrospect, I suppose people in Michigan are obligated to buy what ever Detroit puts out, but Hummers really just don't make sense. Especially now!

In the mean time, I will be on the lookout for a Wisconsin Hummer so I can be all, "A ha! A Wisconsin Hummer! ..."

Until then ...