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August 29, 2011

Outsmart the Grocery Monster | Theresa Albert

Back to school means back to the grocery store where the time and money you spend are being manipulated on both subtle and blatant levels.  Once you know the magician’s tricks, you will find that you have only the items you want in your cart and a little more money in your pocket. Know that everything that happens from the moment you walk in the door is designed for your comfort (aka, to make you feel happy so you slow down and buy more).

Behind the curtain:
·         Know what things cost! A sale isn’t always a sale if you don’t know how much your favourite eggs cost next door.  Use online flyers or spend a few minutes with the ones delivered to your door.  Is $4.99 per pound a good price for eye of the round or is this sale tag enticing you to believe so?  You need a point of reference before you even enter.


·         Read coupons carefully!  Here’s the scenario:  you picked up the 16 ounce can of tomatoes you thought the coupon was promoting only to find that it was the 28 ounce can? You find out your error at the register and what do you do? Buy the wrong one anyway that cost more than the brand you usually buy.


·         Choose your store wisely! Store marketers regularly monitor your habits and behaviours in while in the store.  They lay out the store to maximize time spent and items purchase (and renovate “to serve you better” when they spot a dead zone that doesn’t get much action).  Frequenting one store will mean that you can put your fingers on exactly what you need and be able to compare from week to week how your grocery bill is adding up. 


·         Take a list! Some online flyers have wonderful email-able lists that can be built and sent to your own mobile (or someone else’s!) It helps to have a list that includes all of your items sorted by store aisle.  Nothing slows you down more than having to criss cross the store in search of one forgotten tin. 


·         Don’t smell the baked goods! You know that isn’t just a mistake, right? The smell from the in store bakery is purposely pumped back in to tickle all of your sense.  Ok, so you can’t stop smelling but you can prevent it from enticing you by eating before you go.  Or pick up a package of chopped fresh veggies and munch on them while you stroll.  You didn’t get enough veggies today anyway, you may as well make it work for you.


·         Don’t listen! The music is carefully chosen to suit the likely person in the store at a given time. Folksy romance tunes in major chords? Must be Friday night when the young couples or singles are shopping. This helps them feel all mushy and needy so that they seek comfort in the form of food.  Do yourself a favour, plug in your headset and listen to something angry to pick up the pace and knock out that sentimental drivel.


·         Look up and down, not just straight ahead. The priciest items are set at eye level and the ones enticing the kids are down around your knees. Do look for in store signs that signal a price reduction (and go back to step 1) or house brands that may cost less and be the same darned thing that is in the name brand anyway.


·         Halloween is 2 months away! You will see all the displays for this candy-fest now and you may think “hmm, if I buy them now, I won’t need to go searching later”. It’s a trick. You will (or some other little gremlin will) eat them now and still need to find them later. 

Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health. Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.

For more tips and tricks on how to eat well sign up for Theresa’s newsletter at www.myfriendinfood.com

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August 28, 2011

Norton 360 All-In-One Security Giveaway

Back to School!

THE WHAT: Norton 360 All-In-One Security (Version 5.0)

THE WHY:  Because computer virus' happen

THE HOW: Kids can download, click or open attachments which contain nasty things like viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, worms, bots, and rootkits - nasty! And let's be honest people, parents can let those same nasties into the computer...one bad click is all you need.

THE GIVEAWAY:  Enter to win your own copy of Norton 360 All-In-One Security (Version 5.0).

THE ENTRY:
Share in a COMMENT below your opinion about kids and internet security.  (hint: visit the Norton site for product comparison about what features protect your computer and your kids)

one entry per day

LIKE Parent Club on Facebook = an extra entry*

TWEET this giveaway mentioning: @ParentClub = an extra entry*
FOLLOW Parent Club on google friend connect (GFC) = an extra entry* {at bottom of main page}

BLOG about this giveaway with a link back to to this post = an extra entry*

*Comment separately that you did so

THE RULES (because life has rules)

Open to Canadian residents only (sorry rest of the world!)
Winner will be randomly chosen using a random generator
Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be drawn

Disclaimer: Parent Club recieved a copy of Norton 360 (review to come). No financial compensation nor baked goods were received.

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