Perhaps that is a frightening thought to you, but it doesn’t have to be. Find out why as I review Christmas with Strategic Shopping by Candy Foote
Candy Foote is the Christian homeschooling mother of twelve, six boys and six girls. She also has four grandchildren. In addition to homeschooling for 21 years she has a website filled with free information on how to become a strategic shopper.
She says, “I don’t have a large family. Twelve children equals three large families. We’re a mega family!”
She had to become a strategic shopper to get rock-bottom prices with a family this size. Now she travels around teaching others how to get rock-bottom prices, FREE items, and even how to get paid to shop.
Until recently I had only heard about Candy in homeschool circles, but didn’t know much about her. When I was given an opportunity to review her books about frugal shopping I couldn’t resist. My husband always says, “There is no one who enjoys a bargain as much as my wife!” So, I simply had to check out her material to see if she has come up with any ideas I’ve missed.
Our family survived school and residency on my husband’s stipend (which wasn’t much) and had two children while I supplemented our income with coupons, refunding, and using cloth diapers. In spite of my frugal ways, I still managed to find some things Candy does that I’ve missed.
While I’m right there with her shopping after holiday sales, clearance racks, garage sales, and thrift stores, she has found some things that are new to me – and I’ve only read Christmas Strategic Shopping and the first few chapters of her original book, Strategic Shopping.
For instance, I didn’t know you could get free photo prints at Walgreens, did you? Having her ideas about what prices are reduced when is really going to be helpful to me. And her line about “cleaning supplies make great gifts” – priceless – and she convinced me.
I love how she encourages gift giving in her family. Most families this size would draw names, or find another way to give fewer gifts, but not Candy. You’ll have to read her book to discover how they do it, but believe me, you won’t be disappointed. I will share this quote with you, “First of all, we don’t consider giving to be a burden,”
Strategic Shopping holds some great ideas as well. I haven’t finished it but an idea that resonated with me was buying dress-up clothes at thrift shops and garage sales. This brought back the sweetest memories for this mom of grown children. We had the only box of dress-up clothes in the neighborhood. I always encouraged play at our house so we usually had half a dozen or more children in and around our home in addition to our own three, and playing dress-up was an all-time favorite pastime.
I simply had to go back and get out some of those photos, so I’ll share them with you too.
After reading these books I wish I had taken note of Candy sooner, but I’m certainly going to be putting to use some of her ideas now, a lot of which are just common sense. We still have three young adults at home and I still enjoy saving money as much or more than most people so I will be checking out her Walgreen ideas, restaurant ideas, and Swagbucks. I’ve known about Swagbucks but have just been too lazy to put it to use, even after my daughter asked if I wanted to buy her $100 Walmart gift card that she had earned from there. I’m sure I’ll find a few more as I finish reading Strategic Shopping.
Now for information about the Facebook party tomorrow night.
Who’s ready to party, save some $$$, and win some awesome prizes? Candy Foote is celebrating the release of her new book, Christmas with Strategic Shopping and the re-release (with a new low price!) of Strategic Shopping, with what looks to be a rockin’ Facebook Party!
Here are some of the prizes you could win!
Build a Menu: She will be giving away a one-year membership to this awesome, money-saving meal planning program.
In three easy steps you can select the store you like to shop at, pick your recipes and print your customized shopping list. You’re done menu planning for the week!
You can choose recipes… from any of these categories to create a menu that’s perfect for you family:
Family Friendly
Trim Healthy Mama
Low Carb
Gluten Free
Low Fat/Sensible Portions
Allergy Friendly (No gluten, dairy, nuts)
Vegetarian
Slow Cooker
Soups On
Crowd Pleasers
Manly Meals
To learn more about Build a Menu, go here.
Molly Green Magzine/Econobusters has donated for 2 giveaways during Tuesday’s party– (3) one-year memberships to Molly Green Magazine, which includes future issues as well as back issues, as well as a bundle of 5 eBooks!
Total Value of these giveaways is more than $265!
To learn more about Econobusters with Molly Green, go here.
Did I mention that one of you could win more than $100 in Paypal Cash or an Amazon Gift Card (winner’s choice)?
There’s also an awesome bundle of ebooks up for grabs, from wonderful folks at Hal & Melanie Young, Phyllis Sather, and Tabitha Philen. Not to mention Candy’s books!
So, what exactly is a Facebook party? It’s a fast-paced, fun-filled hour and a half where Candy will be answering your Strategic Shopping questions, asking you some fun trivia questions, and best of all, giving out prizes.
Everyone who attends the party will receive FREEBIES just for showing up!
Your first step is to RSVP on the events page over here.
The actual party will not be on the events page though. It will be on Candy’s STRATEGIC SHOPPING page.
Throughout the party, watch for new status posts every 5 minutes with trivia questions, giveaway offers, and more fun.
Leave comments, ask questions, and have fun!
Refresh the page often so you don’t miss out on new posts!
See you there!
Finding Joy in the Journey,
Phyllis
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Phyllis Sather
Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness at:
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© 2014 Phyllis Sather
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1 Comment
Phyllis Sather
You are so welcome Candy.