Smart Coupon Strategies - Show #22
January 25, 2008 | 5 Comments
This week is Part Two of my interview with Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom.
Last week Crystal shared with us the basics of meal planning and scoping out sales at the grocery stores. This week she imparts some easy and very clever ways to use coupons on these very same sales items so you end up paying pennies for the things your family uses.
Crystal goes into detail about the rewards plans from CVS and Walgreens and raves about the coupon savings at Target. Did you know that you can use a store coupon AND a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item? If the item is on sale, you could make some money on the deal! The same goes for rebates so don’t pass those up! Simply get a duplicate receipt and make some money from shopping.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to grab your copy of Crystal’s popular ebook, Supermarket Savings 101 .
Edited to add:
Listen to Part One of this interview with Crystal:
http://momsloveshopping.com/easy-steps-for-grocery-savings-show-21
Other resources mentioned on the show:
Does the market have you feeling squeamish?
Encouraging Words from Kristine McKinley of Beacon Financial Advisors
What Makes a Good Mystery Shopper?
January 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
Mystery shopping can be both fun and rewarding. There are, however, a few traits which will help you land the best mystery shopping jobs. Here are a few:
- Must like to shop. If the thought of going to the mall doesn’t appeal to you, this probably isn’t the right job for you. Mystery shoppers need to be willing to shop and visit new stores and locations.
- Keen eye for detail. When you start a new assignment you’ll know before hand the things to look out for, in other words what the company is paying you to find out, you must remember to notice and observe all of these things during your “shop”.
- Must be accurate and timely in completing your shop and any related paperwork (survey/feedback forms, etc.). You’ll have to show good organization skills and complete your assignments in a timely manner. After finishing a job you’ll have to accurately fill in all the appropriate paperwork and follow the company’s instructions as to how and when to submit the paper work to them.
- Ability to be objective and honest (you cannot give your personal opinions about a company; you must only report the things that occurred while you were on assignment). You should always be honest and give only accurate feedback to the company you’re working for.
- You need to be reliable (many shopping companies will let shoppers go after one incomplete shop or cancellation). These companies rely on you to perform your assignments in a timely manner.
- Strong communication skills. In most cases you’ll be role playing and strong communication skills are very important. For example, you may be asked to go into a sporting goods store and ask about the different types of a specific piece of exercise equipment and several other questions. You may notice that the sales person seems impatient or abrupt; this shouldn’t stop you from completing your job. You’ll need to display the ability to communicate and not shy away from certain situations in order to do your job well.
Grab your Mom’s Talk Biz Guide to Become a Mystery Shopper - Step-by-step instructions, resources and inside information to help you profit from mystery shopping.
Demand For Mystery Shoppers
January 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Businesses know that in order to provide the best customer service possible, they need feedback from their customers on whether or not they are doing things to the customer’s satisfaction. The problem is many customers don’t always comment on how their visit to a place of business went, especially if it was a negative outcome. Statistics show that on average two out of three people who stop doing business with acompany do so because of bad customer service (Source: abc News Online)
Many times these people won’t actually give feedback to the company. Instead they never return to that particular business again and spread word to friends and family about the service they experienced. This is why the need for mystery shoppers is strong because it’s a way for companies to receive an honest review of how business is being conducted, without the staff knowing what’s occurring.
Mystery shoppers play a big role in the improvement of customer service and businesses heavily rely on them for feedback and constant improvement. As a mystery shopper you will be given a variety of assignments which involve anything from eating out at your favorite restaurant to watching the latest movie. You can also take pride in knowing you’re helping to improve customer service standards. Mystery shopping is easy, fun and flexible.
Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Teens
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
By the time kids reach their teen years, so many things that parents do can seem sappy and dull. Gifts on Valentine’s Day can become one of those things. This year, give a gift that shows your teen that parental love is still a cool thing to have in their lives.
Teens these days are into vintage and eclectic things. This includes their clothes, shoes and gadgets. Think of a throwback gift that you can surprise your teen with that will get you a hug or at least a smile of gratitude. Remember the Rubik’s cube or the magic 8 ball? These gifts are especially fun for a girl.
When WE were teens, our walls were covered in posters of celebrity idols and movie scenes. Determine the favorite movies, music celebrities and games your teen likes and purchase a few posters. They’ll be surprised that you even know where to find those posters!
Girls and guys like jewelry. Surprise your daughter with a necklace and earring set in the color of her birthstone. Instead of choosing a piece of jewelry for your son, get a gift card to the jewelry store and let him pick out his own accessories.
A good way to choose gifts for Valentine’s Day for your teen is to look at what they didn’t receive on their Christmas list. If there was something that you couldn’t purchase at that time, Valentine’s Day may be the perfect time!
Gifts from the heart show that you are interested and care about their life and their passions. They may be interested in the guitar this week. Even though you have a sneaking suspicion that next week they will want to be an artist, give them a gift certificate for a few free guitar lessons. At least they will have a chance to try it out and see if they really want to play the guitar.
Create some cards that they can redeem for free services around the house. If your teen is on the younger side, they might appreciate getting to stay up an extra half hour, a free movie, or a sleepover with friends. Older teens would surely appreciate an extra half hour or hour out with friends on the weekends or extra driving time in the family car.
Valentine’s Day affections don’t need to be lost on your teen. Think of a gift or activity that would interest them and act on it. They may act annoyed by it, but deep down they will cherish the sentiment long after Valentine’s Day has come and gone.
Meal Planning Central Now Half Price!
January 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
So, you’ve listened to all the January podcasts about how to shop smarter for groceries, how to meal plan and be creative. You might even have your own plan completed by now.
But what if you need help completing a meal plan or making it deliciously creative to prevent the family from getting bored? Don’t give in to the drive-thru temptation!
Meal Planning Central virtually does all the work for you by providing delicious meal plans - even if you are a vegetarian or watching your weight. The shopping list you’ll need for each meal is also included. What a time saver!
For a limited time, Menu Planning Central will be half price. That’s right. So don’t waste too much time thinking about it.
The offer expires at the end of January and returns to normal pricing… so visit today to learn more, grab the great gifts and take advantage of the 50% discount!
P.S.
Not sure about it? You can read the review for the service that has been submitted by another mom and make your decision before the offer expires. 
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