classes Archives – A Savings WOW!

Welcome Windy City LIVE Viewers – Special Workshop Discount Code

August 29, 2016 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

Welcome Windy City LIVE viewers! I shared ways to save money while dining out on today’s episode. Find out additional tips on saving money at restaurants here.

As a special thank you to all of you, use the coupon code WCL on any of our upcoming workshops through December 31, 2016 (can be used multiple times) and save 50% off the workshop fee.

The upcoming workshops are:

Friday, September 23, 2016 from 7 pm to 9 pm –

Smart Grocery Spending Workshop

Following the workshop, attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to spend smarter at grocery stores using strategic couponing and deal finding to achieve savings of 50% or more!

Please register in advance through Eventbrite to ensure materials are available for all attendees. Thank you!

Topics discussed in the workshop include the following areas:

Strategic Grocery Shopping

Learn how to avoid common marketing traps at the grocery store, and shop smarter!

Realistic Couponing

See exactly how coupons work, how you can use them to save at least 50% on your groceries, understand your stores’ policies, and keep all those awesome coupons organized!

Meal Planning Made Simple

Get practical help with how to plan out your menu to save the most money while providing healthy meals for your family!

You will receive handouts to take lots of valuable notes during the workshop. So come prepared to learn, discuss and connect with others who are excited about saving money too!

Friday, October 21, 2016 from 7 pm to 9 pm –

Smart Holiday Spending workshop

Following the workshop, attendees will leave with tips and tricks to stretch the holiday budget even more this shopping season!

Please register in advance through Eventbrite to ensure materials are available for all attendees. Thank you!

In the Smart Holiday Spending workshop you will learn tips and tricks to stretch the holiday budget even more this shopping season, including:

– Save money before the first purchase is made.
– Earn and get free shipping with several online shopping strategies.
– Discover tips and tricks to shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
– Get simple and inexpensive do-it-yourself gift ideas.
– Learn frugal and fast baking tips.
– Understand ways to save during holiday meal planning.
– much more!

Who knows, maybe this year will be the year that you have money left over from your holiday budget! It is possible and I can’t wait to teach you all of my tricks!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Free Smart Shopping Workshop 4/23/15 at 11:00 AM

March 30, 2015 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

As part of Money Smart Week, I am teaching a Smart Shopping Workshop and you’re invited to attend for free! Learn how to shop smarter and save at least half off your grocery budget each month! Plus, learn tips to save money every day.

When: Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Fox Valley Chamber of Commerce
600 North Commons Drive, Suite 102
Aurora, IL 60504

There is no need to register. Feel free to bring guests. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch.

Are you planning to attend? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

2014 Ultimate Blog Party

April 4, 2014 by ASavingsWOW! 1 Comment

It’s the 2014 Ultimate Blog Party and we’re joining in on the fun! It’s a great way to get to know more about us and also to find out about some other amazing blogs!

About us:

We’re a happily married couple with four kids, busy lives, and ever-growing expenses, so we try to save money on the purchases we make and the things that we do in our everyday lives. We started A Savings WOW! to share our experiences, savings tips, and most importantly, our passion for helping others save money, too! We started couponing consistently and living more budget-friendly when we had our third child and went from a two-income to a primarily one-income family. With our costs continuing to rise, we wanted to be able to enjoy our lives without breaking the bank. We practice what we share here on our site, using the tips and techniques to be smarter shoppers. More recently, Jim had a stroke and has been going through therapy to regain function on the side that was affected. While he has been on leave from work, we’ve especially used our couponing skills to make sure we are using our money wisely.

A Savings WOW! is dedicated to helping you enjoy your life without breaking the bank by providing money-saving resources such as classes, coupons, deals, freebies, giveaways, and reviews. After you use the tools we give you, people will say to you “What a savings! WOW!” after you tell them how much you paid versus how much it should have been.

Besides sharing these resources online, Maria also teaches workshops and speaks to groups in the Chicago-area. Join her on Monday, April 7th from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM for a free Grocery Savings Workshop as part of Money Smart Week 2014. Register here to reserve your spot!

Maria has also been featured on various news shows sharing money-saving tips. Some of the networks she’s been featured on include: FOX, NBC, CBS, and WGN.

Let us know how we can help you put money back in your pocket. Tell us what topics you would like to see us share by leaving a comment below.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram for our latest updates!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Money Smart Week: Free Grocery Savings Workshop 4/7/14

April 3, 2014 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

It’s Money Smart Week next week and we’ve partnered with them to give you a free Grocery Savings Workshop! In the Grocery Savings Workshops, you will learn:

– Realistic couponing
– Strategic grocery shopping
– Meal planning made simple
– Simple steps to cutting your grocery budget in half
– and more…

In this two-hour workshop, you will not only learn how easy it is to make small changes that will give you BIG savings, you’ll also receive a full-color workbook that you’ll be able to take home and use as a reference.

Join us –
When: Monday, April 7, 2014
Where: Fox Valley Chamber of Commerce, 600 N Commons Drive, Suite 102, Aurora, IL 60504
RSVP: Register here

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

* UPDATED DATE * Come to the Holiday Savings Secrets Workshop 11/20 – Aurora, IL

November 13, 2013 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

[tweetherder]Join me for a #Holiday Savings Secrets Workshop in Aurora, #Illinois on 11/20! #SavingsClasses[/tweetherder]

What will you learn?

In the Holiday Savings Secrets workshop you will learn tips and tricks to stretch the holiday budget even more this shopping season, including:

– Save money before the first purchase is made.
– Earn and get free shipping with several online shopping strategies.
– Discover tips and tricks to shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
– Get simple and inexpensive Do-it-yourself gift ideas.
– Learn frugal and fast baking tips.
– Understand ways to save during holiday meal planning.
– And much more!

Where do you sign up?

HomeTown Community Cafe
1002 Four Seasons Boulevard, Aurora, Illinois 60504
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $10 per person

If you don’t live in the Chicago area, don’t worry! Check out the Savings.com DealPro map to find a workshop near you.

Thank you for reading A Savings WOW! and don’t forget to check out our check out our Coupon Database for lots of money-saving coupons!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Free Holiday Savings Secrets Workshop 10/26 – Aurora, IL

October 22, 2013 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

[tweetherder]Join me for a #free #Holiday Savings Secrets Workshop in Aurora, #Illinois on 10/26! #SavingsClasses[/tweetherder]

What will you learn?

In the Holiday Savings Secrets workshop you will learn tips and tricks to stretch the holiday budget even more this shopping season, including:

– Save money before the first purchase is made.
– Earn and get free shipping with several online shopping strategies.
– Discover tips and tricks to shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
– Get simple and inexpensive Do-it-yourself gift ideas.
– Learn frugal and fast baking tips.
– Understand ways to save during holiday meal planning.
– And much more!

Where do you sign up?

Aurora Public Library
1 East Benton Street, Aurora, Illinois 60505
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: FREE

If you don’t live in the Chicago area, don’t worry! Check out the Savings.com DealPro map to find a workshop near you.

Thank you for reading A Savings WOW! and don’t forget to check out our check out our Coupon Database for lots of money-saving coupons!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Welcome NBC Chicago Viewers! Strategies to Save $10,000 Annually

October 13, 2013 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

[tweetherder]Strategies to savings $10,000/yr on @nbcchicago! #SavingsClasses[/tweetherder]

This morning, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the NBC Chicago’s 6 am news. Kim Vatis talked to me about strategies to save $10,000 annually. As many of you already know, using coupons and looking for deals can help you accomplish that goal easily.

To get started and to learn the easiest way to coupon and save money on your shopping is to attend one of the upcoming live workshops I’ll be teaching:
– Wednesday, October 23rd – Grocery Savings Workshop – Panera Bread, 2775 Showplace Drive, #123, Naperville, IL
– Saturday, October 26th – Holiday Savings with Maria – Aurora Public Library (Main Branch), 1 East Benton Street, Aurora, IL

Click on the photo below to watch the video of the segment:

(Image credit: Marlon Esguerra)

The apps I love and referred to in the segment are:

– Valpak – The Valpak app can help you find deals on local services and products. As we get ready to transition into the true Fall weather, you can find services that can help you with what you need to winterize your home.

– Favado – The Favado app shows you the how to stop overspending on groceries by getting notified when your favorite items are on sale. It also allows you to discover the best deals on the products and brands that you love, so you can save 50%-70% each week. I love how you can search for sales by store and by product. You can create your grocery shopping list on the app.

– Shop Your Way – The Shop Your Way app is great because you can find deals on the different things you are shopping for, whether it’s for everyday or for a special occasion. With the free Shop Your Way account, you will also earn points that you can redeem for rewards to use towards your future purchases.

For our online shopping, we recommend looking for coupon codes at Savings.com before you buy. Sites such as Swagbucks, reward you for searching online and you can redeem these rewards for gift cards to help offset your expenses when shopping (and don’t forget to enter to win a $50 gift card of your choice, courtesy of Swagbucks).

Before you head out to shop, check out our coupon matchups that show you what’s on sale and the coupons you can use to get an even better deal (sometimes even free or a moneymaker). Visit our Coupon Database if you would like to search for a coupon for a specific product or brand you plan to purchase.

As Kim Vatis mentioned in our interview, the main thing is to just get started. You don’t have to be extreme when you coupon, because there is no such thing as small change. Everything adds up and before you know it, you’ve saved a lot!

Thank you for reading A Savings WOW! and don’t forget to check out our check out our Coupon Database for lots of money-saving coupons!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Coupons provided by Savings.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Sign Up for the Live Grocery Savings Workshop on 9/23/13 in Aurora, IL

September 9, 2013 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

[tweetherder]Attend a live Grocery Savings class in #Aurora IL on 9/23! @SavingsClasses @valpakcoupons[/tweetherder]

We invite you to attend our live Grocery Savings Workshop on Friday, September 23rd in Aurora, IL. You’ll learn realistic couponing, strategic grocery shopping, meal planning made simple, simple steps to cutting your grocery budget in half, and more!

Realistic couponing
– Strategic grocery shopping
– Meal planning made simple
– Simple steps to cutting your grocery budget in half

Register for our upcoming workshop:

Grocery Savings Workshop

HomeTown Community Cafe

1002 Four Seasons Bouleveard, Aurora, IL 60504

Date: Monday, September 23, 2013

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $10.00 per person

Visit our workshop sponsor, Valpak.com for local coupons, deals, and more. There is also aValpak.com app available so you can find deals on local restaurants, entertainment, personal care, automotive, retailers, and more. Don’t forget to check your mailbox for the blue Valpak envelope full of even more money-saving coupons.

Coupons provided by Savings.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

BONUS: Free Coupon Holder for Grocery Savings Workshop Attendees 8/16/13

August 15, 2013 by ASavingsWOW! 1 Comment

[tweetherder]Get a #free coupon holder at tomorrow’s #Chicago #SavingsClasses! Register now![/tweetherder]

Visit our workshop sponsor, Valpak.com for local coupons, deals, and more. There is also a Valpak.com app available so you can find deals on local restaurants, entertainment, personal care, automotive, retailers, and more. Don’t forget to check your mailbox for the blue Valpak envelope full of even more money-saving coupons.

Register for tomorrow night’s workshop:

Grocery Savings Workshop
Panera Bread (Meeting Room)
2775 Showplace Drive, #123, Naperville, IL 60564
Date: Friday, August 16, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $10.00 per person

Grocery Savings Workshops:

In the Grocery Savings Workshops, you will learn:

– Realistic couponing
– Strategic grocery shopping
– Meal planning made simple
– Simple steps to cutting your grocery budget in half
– and more…

* BONUS: You’ll receive a FREE Coupon Holder when you attend tomorrow night’s workshop! Make sure to register to reserve your spot! *

Maria is just one of the nationwide Ambassadors teaching these workshops, so if you are not in the Chicago-area, visit the Savings.com website to find a workshop that is in your area. Be sure to check the Savings Nation website regularly as new workshop dates and locations are being added daily.

Lunch ‘n Learn, Other Advanced Workshops, and Fundraising Opportunities:

If you are interested in hosting one of our workshops, let us know! Aside from our two-hour Grocery Savings Workshop, we also have a 45-minute Lunch ‘n Learn Workshop, perfect for companies, parents’ groups, and more. We can also coordinate a fundraiser for your church or organization. Fill out the form below and we’ll contact you:

Coupons provided by Savings.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Sign Up for the Live Grocery Savings Workshop on 8/16/13 in Naperville, IL

August 9, 2013 by ASavingsWOW! Leave a Comment

[tweetherder]Attend a live Grocery Savings class in #Naperville on 8/16! @SavingsClasses @valpakcoupons[/tweetherder]

If you are in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, you may have seen this insert in your Valpak envelope. We invite you to attend our live Grocery Savings Workshop on Friday, August 16th. You’ll learn realistic couponing, strategic grocery shopping, meal planning made simple, simple steps to cutting your grocery budget in half, and more!

Realistic couponing
– Strategic grocery shopping
– Meal planning made simple
– Simple steps to cutting your grocery budget in half

Register for our upcoming workshop:

Grocery Savings Workshop

Panera Bread (Meeting Room)

2775 Showplace Drive, #123, Naperville, IL 60564

Date: Friday, August 16, 2013

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $10.00 per person

Coupons provided by Savings.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Friday, September 23, 2016 from 7 pm to 9 pm –

Smart Grocery Spending Workshop

Strategic Grocery Shopping

Realistic Couponing

Meal Planning Made Simple

Friday, October 21, 2016 from 7 pm to 9 pm –

Smart Holiday Spending workshop

What will you learn?

Where do you sign up?

What will you learn?

Where do you sign up?

Register for our upcoming workshop:

Register for tomorrow night’s workshop:

Grocery Savings Workshops:

* BONUS: You’ll receive a FREE Coupon Holder when you attend tomorrow night’s workshop! Make sure to register to reserve your spot! *

Lunch ‘n Learn, Other Advanced Workshops, and Fundraising Opportunities:

Register for our upcoming workshop:

Grab my button!