Imagine walking into the grocery store and filling up your cart with all of your usual shopping items: fresh produce, meats and seafood, pasta, milk, and the like. At the check-out line your subtotal pre-tax amount is $92. You hand over your coupons and what do you pay? $14. If you’re calculating, that’s 85% off the retail price and for smart spender and clever parent, Faye Prosser, it is also a regular grocery shopping experience.
Six years ago with the birth of her first child, Faye wanted to stay home with her new baby, but realized some drastic changes in spending would have to occur to make that desire a reality. “It’s amazing how much you can spend on a little person who only weighs eight pounds,” said Faye.
Faye decided to learn everything she could about frugal living, saving money on groceries and stretching the family income as far as she could. The result, Faye’s Smart Spending System, encompasses all of the techniques that Faye uses to save thousands of dollars each year on groceries and other every day expenses.
In the beginning, “I used to spend between $135 and $175 a week on groceries,” said Faye. Within three months, she shaved $50 to $60 off her bills; after a few more months Faye reduced her grocery budget to $50 a week - including paper products, pet food (she has 1 dog and 2 cats), drug store items and toiletries.
“I save between 50% - 95% off my groceries every time I shop,” said Faye, “which has enabled us to develop quite a pantry and freezer! Needless to say, when we have surprise guests, I can always come up with a delicious meal to serve. I can also donate food and meals to those in need on a regular basis just by going to my overstock and filling up the bags.”
The biggest mistake that people make regarding coupons? “The thought that just because you have a coupon you have to use it.” Faye only buys items on sale and she only buys items that she regularly shops for.
On average, Faye spends about one and a half to two hours a week to prepare. She cuts and files her coupons for the week (both from mailings and from searching online for coupons) and makes her grocery list. Then she spends about the same amount of time doing the actual grocery shopping. Faye developed a coupon organizer, to get all of her coupons under control. “It allows you to spend more time saving and less time searching for coupons. It also fits perfectly on a grocery cart, allowing you to find your coupons easily and quickly.” The organizer, a three-ring binder with tabs organized by grocery store sections (dairy, frozen, etc.) and protective plastic pages to house the coupons, enables her to clearly see coupon amounts and expiration dates.
Faye is completely passionate about what she does and her goal is to spread the word. “I am not hard-core - I live comfortably, but responsibly. Seven years and it’s still working - obviously that says something about the system. Anybody can do this - all it takes is a little discipline and a little patience.”
- Faye Prosser is a Clever Parent to Hannah, 6, and Emma, 4. She is also the author of The Smart Spending Guide, December 2005. Her mission is to help others become effective advocates for themselves and their hard-earned money. She teaches people how to budget, reduce debt, and save money on groceries and everyday purchases.
With the Smart Spending Grocery System, Faye’s family saves well over 50% off their weekly grocery bills and they are on track to pay off their mortgage before their children even start high school! She, her husband and their two children live in beautiful North Carolina.
Faye’s motto when it comes to spending is: “It’s your money, spend it wisely!”
For more information on The Smart Spending Guide, see www.smartspendingresources.com.
The Smart Spending Guide: How to Cut Your Grocery Bills in Half, Save on Your Everyday Expenses, and Live Within Your Means. Buy here for $12.99.
By Kris on 05/1/06 in Food, Life, Featured, Smart Spending
tag this | permalink | trackback url
