Grocery Deals Website Serves Up Big Savings

grocery
Sandy Harper handles the grocery budget for her family of eight in Tucson, Arizona.  “Our youngest is one and our oldest is ten,” says Sandy.  “Saving on groceries is very important at our house.”  But with six children, Sandy doesn’t have time to hunt through stacks of supermarket flyers looking for bargains.  Instead, Sandy is a member of a web site called mygrocerydeals.com.  She found mygrocerydeals.com early in 2008 when she was searching for ‘grocery deals’ and that was the last time she needed to run that search.  “I use mygrocerydeals.com every week to quickly scan for the best prices on the items on my list and to watch for especially good deals.”

In Oak Lawn, Illinois, Ann Hayes has four boys in private school.  “I never miss a chance to save on groceries,” says Ann.  She uses and will look at the flyers that land on her doorstep but she prefers the time-saving convenience of mygrocerydeals.com.  “It’s no different than somebody taking the inserts and circulars and flipping through the ads and kind of making a list,” says Ann. “[I've] never been real good with lists and doing things that way. This way, it’s just the technology does it all for me.”

That technology is mygrocerydeals.com, launched in 2004 by co-founders Paul Davis and John Scott. The two had been building and operating internet and technology companies for several years.  Along the way they developed a strong sense of how to deliver value through the web.  With mygrocerydeals.com, they set their sights on delivering some of that value to the largest group of consumers in the world: grocery buyers.

Both Scott and Davis have backgrounds in research and several years of experience with online survey systems. With many consumer product companies as their customers they gained valuable insight into the grocery business where the coupon is a standard promotional tool.  The two watched closely as coupon sites started to spring up on the web but they weren’t convinced.  They believed that the coupon clipping sub-culture was much smaller than the market they wanted to help.  “Coupon clipping, the filing and organizing and scheduling; all of that takes time and dedication,” says Scott.  “Many families have trouble finding that time.”  Scott and Davis felt that there was a need for a web-based grocery savings comparison service that was fast and easy to use; one that could every grocery shopper could use to save .

They began the research, starting with a review of their own families’ grocery methods.  They realized that it was all about the deals in the flyers, the supermarket circulars in the weekend papers, the weekly specials.  They were all using the flyers to tweak their weekly grocery trips according to the stores offering the best prices.  More formal research revealed that nearly eighty percent of American households do the same thing.  Their vision for mygrocerydeals.com became clear.

Davis and Scott envisioned a service that would capture the grocery savings flyers–all of them, from coast to coast–and make them available online for quick comparison.  With that key information in place, they knew from their own grocery behavior that users of their service would want a way to create a grocery list and a way to match the items on the list to the best prices in the weekly flyers.  Most important, the founders knew that their customers would want to use these services every week, fifty two weeks of the year.  With the experience, the expertise, and a compelling vision, they went to work with a team of technology and business professionals to build mygrocerydeals.com.

Mygrocerydeals.com is a free grocery savings search engine web site that has become a weekly destination for 250,000 members.  Every week, mygrocerydeals.com captures and organizes the specials, sales, and deals in the flyers published by more than 25,000 stores across the country including Alaska and Hawaii.  Visitors to mygrocerydeals.com use their email address and Zip Code to create a unique, password-protected membership account.  Members can see every flyer deal at every store in their region or they can narrow their search to find only the deals at their favorite supermarkets and stores.  “Mygrocerydeals.com has been called the Google of grocery savings,” says Davis. “And that is a great way to understand its power, but it is much more than that.”  Davis calls mygrocerydeals.com a complete grocery savings system where members create and save their grocery lists and use the powerful search functions to match the items on their list to the best prices in the flyers.  “They print the grocery list right from the member account and they’re off to the stores to stock up and save.”

In addition to the grocery list and grocery savings search engine capability, mygrocerydeals.com serves up a full complement of grocery .  “Our coupon clipping members love the chance to save twice,” says Scott.  “The first savings come from the flyer deals and a second helping comes from .”  Scott points out that stockpiling of freezer and non-perishable grocery items is an increasingly important budgeting technique and the combining of flyer pricing and is an increasingly popular way to stretch the household dollars.

Ann Hayes of Oak Lawn, IL has been a member at mygrocerydeals.com since 2007.  She believes that using mygrocerydeals.com saves her at least fifty dollars each week.  “If I’m going to buy something, I can find which store has it on sale at the cheapest price,” says Anne.  “At least I know, at the very least, I’ve saved something.”

Sandy Harper pushes her savings to another level.  She combines and the best deals on mygrocerydeals.com and gets many items for free.  “I have more than twenty-four rolls of paper towel in my cupboard and I got them all for free,” she says. “Before, my weekly grocery bill was more than three hundred dollars but now it is less than one hundred and twenty dollars.”

Scott and Davis offer a rough calculation.  “If every member of mygrocerydeals.com is saving as much as one hundred dollars every week, we could be helping American householders get twenty five million dollars worth of free groceries every week,” says Scott.  “Not bad at all,” adds Davis.

The site was formally launched in 2004 and the company continues to add features to help members manage not only the family budget but also the family’s well-being.  “Mygrocerydeals.com is the only grocery savings site that gives premium members integrated access to complete nutritional information and allergy alerts,” says Davis. Davis and Scott both believe that saving should never mean compromising good eating habits.  “Mygrocerydeals.com brings all of the important decision-making information into one easy to use service,” says Scott.  “The items, the favorite stores, the best prices, the label data on nutritional content and ingredients, and the critically important allergen warnings are all here at mygrocerydeals.com.”

The founders and their team are proud of their creation but they attribute most of the success to the members of mygrocerydeals.com.  “Our members guide us,” says Davis. “Members choose the features they want us to build and tell us about the stores they want included.”  The site boasts more than a quarter of a million members and the number of new members registering every week is on the rise.  Television stations and newspapers as far apart as New York City and Southern California have also taken notice in recent months.  “Media coverage is just great exposure,” says Davis, “but again, it is the membership spreading the word to friends and family that makes us feel most proud.  When people are eager to share the great grocery savings search engine they found on the web, we know we are getting it right.”

For mygrocerydeals.com, getting it right means more of the same.  The company’s goal is to attract one million members.  Scott and Davis think that goal may be reached sooner rather than later, in part because of current economic conditions.  “No one planned it this way but this is certainly a very, very good time to be saving all you can on your groceries,” says Davis.

“And we’re proud to be helping,” says Scott.

By: Brett McAteer

About the Author:

Brett McAteer writes for technology companies: from website copy to annual report content to press releases and beyond.

FREE GROCERY SAVINGS

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November 1st, 2009 in food and drink |

Buy For Cheap All That You Need For A Garden Of Savings

by Alexandra Vrugt

Did you know that with just a little “seed ”, you could save a whole pot of cash? Well, you can and it’s easier than you think. are an essential part of most of our lives. They add zest to, otherwise, drab meats and perk up even the most basic rice and pasta. Yes, really are the “spice” of life. But, each of these specialty items can cost you more than you realize.

A number of different fresh can be purchased in the produce section of your local grocery store. Very small portions of 1 or 2 ounces can cost upwards of $4, or more, if they are labeled “organic”. Truth is, you can grow these same right in the privacy of your own home, and at a mere pittance compared to their expensive contemporaries. Here’s how to get an herb garden started:

Purchase packets of seeds. For about 10cents per packet, you can get enough seeds to grow a plenteous herb garden. Since you are able to buy for all the seeds you could possibly need, you can plan your herb garden with a variety of . People that cook with can attest to the wonderful flavor combinations that you can get when you mix a variety of , and the way that they enhance foods.

Buy dirt. Soil will cost you, roughly, $1 per 5-lb bag. You will have more than enough right soil to get your herb garden started right. To save even more, check out your local “free paper” or online classifieds. People, quite often, will give away free soil at certain times of the year. You may be able to get more than you could ever imagine for the cost of hauling it away. It’s worth looking into. Also, if you know someone who is an avid gardener, they may have large quantities of soil on hand that they would love to share with a budding novice.

Combine the seeds with the dirt and water. Don’t get caught up in having the best possible pots or using those high end gardening tools when you first get started with your garden. Go for the eco-friendly containers like paper egg cartons or egg shells. You can buy for some really earthy and recyclable pottery from the dollar store also! When you water your upcoming herb garden be gentle and only water as needed, or else you might kill the plants and raise up your water bill unnecessarily. For proper watering, follow the instructions on your seed packets or check online.

No matter how you decide you want your garden to look like, the results are sure to be a big saving opportunity for your family. Pick some recipes to tackle after you have grown a few and savor every penny that you save by doing the dirty work yourself. Another positive about starting an herb garden is that not only will have healthful, nutritious for your family to eat, but you could enjoy some great family time outdoors if you make the garden a family affair, and even better, you could get some exercise in! So, dig in and savor the savings!

About the Author:
Alexandra Vrugt, a well-known connoisseur on saving in daily life, has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free version of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways To Save Money’by going to her website MakeEndsMeetOnlne.com.

June 11th, 2009 in food and drink |

Looking Good During The Economy Crisis: 3 Ways To Save On Beauty Services

by Alexandra Vrugt

Life is too short not too look and feel good about yourself. You don’t have to let yourself “go” during this economy crisis. You can look great and feel great, even if you have to change how you get your services a bit so as not to lose control of your budget. Any fashionista can try these three simple ways to get the services that they want and can buy for or get for free:

Keep an eye out for deals your the salon. The industry is not exempt from this economy crisis. Salons are experiencing a lot of the financial strain just like everyone else. So, to keep the chairs full, they have been inviting patrons to enjoy great deals on their services. In other words, they would rather people buy for than not to buy at all.

Some deals that you should be on the look out for include “two for one” specials which will allow for you and a friend to get a service for the price of only one. That’s a 50% discount off of the retail or regular price. For basics like manicures, splitting the cost with a buddy can be really cost effective. Instead of $15 to make your hands look gorgeous, fashionistas can pay $7.50 and still get noticed!

Get to know your local supply stores. These “hair havens” and product suppliers are popping up all over most cities and large towns. Any fashionista could buy for most of those great supplies that their stylist uses just by getting them from a supply store. You won’t have to sacrifice quality for price when you can get the professional products for a lot less than a full service styling.

Plus, you may be able to find and use for these goods, for an even greater saving! Cost-conscious fashionistas should look for deals in the stores. Sometimes they will offer coupon books, on the products themselves, or even loyalty program discounts for people buying often. Either way, you can buy for the products that you need and want!

Have a fashionista party! No doubt, during this economy crisis, you are not the only one that you know that would like to save a few dollars and still look as good as possible. So, invite some friends over to share products, do each other’s hair and nails, and swap related . It will be a blast and you can all walk away looking good, feeling good, and with a few dollars left over in your pockets! Just think you won’t have to tip anyone and you will be able to try out some new and fun styles and products…all for free!

This economy crisis has added a lot of stress to most of our lives. Don’t let your own suffer because of it, when you don’t have to. Take advantage of these simple tips and enjoy the looks and stares that you get. Smile knowing that you got it without paying a huge price to simply look good!

About the Author:
As a wel-known connoisseur on saving in daily life, Alexandra Vrugt has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free copy of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways to Save Money’ by visiting her MakeEndsMeetOnline.com website.

June 8th, 2009 in beauty |

Save On Snacks And Make Kids And Grownups Happy

by Alexandra Vrugt

Children love to have tasty treats. Parents love to keep their kids happy and well fed. But, eating can put a real dent into a family’s savings if there is not a budget and cost saving plan in place. But, parents have to feed their kids, right!?

Of course, parents have to feed them and they want to make sure that they have the best possible. So, for those of you who want to keep your kids fed and satisfied, try these saving tips:

1. Take advantage of the “season”! Whether or not you celebrate the year end holidays, you can still take full advantage of all of the great saving opportunities. In late September or early October, many restaurant chains such as McDonalds and Wendy’s offer discount for Halloween. They usually offer the for free items such as an apple pie or Frosty shake in books, or sheets, of 8-12 . The cost of these coupon packets is $1. So, you could potentially get 12 snack items for your children at a cost of only $1. This is a huge deal because if you bought each item without using the coupon, it would cost you about $15!! The other wonderful thing about these is that, although they are offered around Halloween, most of them do not expire until December 31st of the offer year.

2. Get paid to do surveys! If you like the service at your favorite fast spot, that could be your ticket to more free stuff. Most national restaurants offer customers a discount such as “$1 off” or “buy one, get one free”, which are usually found on your receipt, that customers can receive by just calling a number and giving their feedback. It takes a few minutes, but the opportunity to buy for , your next lunch or dinner, should be incentive to place the call or fill out survey online. Your kids will thank you for it and so will your pocket!

3. Use …all of the time! There are so many great deals available in your Sunday paper, online, or even in the supermarket aisles. are one of the best ways to save on just about anything. Truth be told, not only will you see savings, you will probably get tons of free snacks for your family. Many stores double manufacturers . Watch the weekly sale papers or visit your favorite store online to view the weekly specials. Cull your , organize them, and use them when there are deals on the snacks that you and your family want.

You can feed your children without going into bankruptcy if you plan and get organized during this economy crisis. There are tons of snacks and foods that you can buy for if you do a little leg work. You and your family can eat, enjoy, and save!

About the Author:
As a wel-known connoisseur on saving in daily life, Alexandra Vrugt has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can receive a free copy of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways to Save Money’ by visiting her MakeEndsMeetOnline.com website.

May 23rd, 2009 in food and drink |

Beating The Price Of Beauty In Three Money-Saving Ways During An Economy Crisis

by Alexandra Vrugt

Just because the world is experiencing an economy crisis doesn’t mean that you can’t still look your best. In fact, now is a great time to work out those costly “kinks” in your budget. Here are three ways that any fashionista can get the most for her on her quest to looking fabulous:

Keep an eye out for deals your the salon. The industry is not exempt from this economy crisis. Salons are experiencing a lot of the financial strain just like everyone else. So, to keep the chairs full, they have been inviting patrons to enjoy great deals on their services. In other words, they would rather people buy for than not to buy at all.

Two-for-one deals are fairly common. It’s like getting 50% off just by going with a friend! Imagine the savings that you and a family member or acquaintance could take advantage of just by hanging out and getting your treatments. Any fashionista would love to pay half price and still get the services that will make them look fantastic. The two of you could have that $15 manicure for $7.50. That’s a deal worth looking in to!

Take advantage of supply stores. In large areas, more and more supply stores are springing up. For a fraction of the cost of a full salon treatment, fashionistas can buy for , or at least a lot cheaper than those salon prices, the top quality hair, skin, and nail products that the professionals use.

Often these supply stores will allow customers to use for products. You can get that will allow you to buy for by looking through your Sunday newspaper, sifting through your local circulars, contacting manufacturers for , and checking for in-store coupon deals. Also, always ask friends if they have or know where you can get . Maybe they are hoarding of products that they don’t or can’t use, but you can!

Have a fashionista party! No doubt, during this economy crisis, you are not the only one that you know that would like to save a few dollars and still look as good as possible. So, invite some friends over to share products, do each other’s hair and nails, and swap related . It will be a blast and you can all walk away looking good, feeling good, and with a few dollars left over in your pockets! Just think you won’t have to tip anyone and you will be able to try out some new and fun styles and products…all for free!

They say that there is a price for . During this economy crisis, you can really slash that “price” with a little effort and willingness to shop and try something outside of the “shop”.

About the Author:
Alexandra Vrugt, a renowned consultant on saving in daily life, has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free version of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways To Save Money’by going to her site MakeEndsMeetOnlne.com.

May 22nd, 2009 in beauty |