Saving with Shay
Welcome to Saving with Shay!
I've been saving since 2011. Life changing medical illness or accidents can strike at any time. And over 60% of US Citizens live "paycheck to paycheck". Meaning, one single missed paycheck can put a family in financial ruin. Sadly, the US infrastructure that we pay into all of our adult lives is NOT usually accessible when a "healthy abled-bodied" adult suddenly becomes ill or hurt and out of work.
I learned this the hard way in 2011 when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and Bipolar Disorder (as well as Lupus that I'd had since childhood). And again in 2020 when I nearly died from a rare disease called Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS). I sustained so much organ damage and comorbidities that I'm permanently medically disabled now.
But it took a two-and-a-half-year BATTLE to finally receive disability status and income. And in that time, our infrastructure failed me... I lost my home, vehicle, life savings and career. In a situation like this it was almost impossible to keep myself alive while fighting a rare disease and complications AND even harder to take care of two young children.
If I didn't know how to extreme coupon and subsidize income from my phone, then we absolutely wouldn't have made it. And even almost 5 years into my new life with disabilities, financials woes can still be a concern with the ridiculous inflation we're being told "isn't happening". Everything cost more- food, toiletries, paper goods, utilities, homes, cars, vacations, clothing, shoes, medical care, medications and even funerals. And increases in salaries is not matching the increases in cost of living.
So whether you're suddenly sick, suddenly injured, suddenly out of work or just want to save some money- I'm here to teach you how! You can save and earn at an extreme level like I do, or just save 30%-90% off of your groceries each week. Do whatever makes sense for you!
Ways to Save
Extreme Couponing
Extreme Couponing is simply shopping more efficiently, utilizing store sales and coupons. But no gatekeeping here! The secret to couponing is this...
1. Stores have sales cycles...a cycle where items will reach a highest price point and a lowest price point. Sales cycles in the SE are around 4-6 weeks.
Ex: You go shopping on the 1st and walk past Tide laundry soap and it's $6.97, but you're not out of laundry soap, so you don't buy any. But you go back 2 weeks later when you need Tide and now it's 11.97!
2. The secret is- purchase things you use when it's at its lowest price point.
3. When items are at their lowest price point, there is usually a coupon available that coincides with the sale item. These are usually available for free in grocery store apps.
4. When items are at their lowest there's usually a cash back rebate in one or more coupon apps (that might give you the same discount MULTIPLE times)
5. This combination can make items nearly free, fully free or even pay you overage.
6. Stock up on items when they're at their lowest. Buy enough to last until the next sales cycle when that same item will probably be on sale again. (In the SE, this typically means buying 2-4 bottles of an item)
7. Do NOT purchase things at full price ever again
Earn Money on Your Phone
Something new to couponing is Coupon apps. These are apps that give you back the value of a manufacturer coupon, for items that you purchased in the store. If there's a coupon available for an item, then that same exact coupon is available in each or most coupon apps. Meaning you can be paid for the same coupon 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 times. I'll cover this more shortly.
But those same apps also offer real CASH for taking surveys, playing games, and trying out offers. Believe me, I have tried almost every app and I know most hardly pay anything. But I have a few apps that are worth the time and pay. I'll have a list below explaining each one.
The biggest question people have is "but how do we get paid? Is it just points and giftcards??? NO
Out of the 9 apps I consistently use, 7 out of 9 will pay cash to Paypal, Venmo or your bank. Only 2 pay gift cards. So in addition to shopping each week and redeeming my receipts multiple times, I also do a dedicated amount of surveys, games and offers.
Shopping Trips
Under Construction
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