Yesterday I went to the store and bought the following items:
-Gallon of milk
-Can of Progresso soup
-Colgate Toothpaste
-Two bottles of Ajax dish soap
The total for this shopping extravaganza was $1.36.
You read that right: one dollar and thirty-six cents.
How did I do it? Clever use of coupons. I've been doing that since I was a kid.
Then it hit me. What has been sorely missing from local newscasts are franchise reporters. Specifically, consumer reporters.
The woman behind me in the checkout line had her jaw drop when she saw what my total was. But I wasn't using any government secret to save money. In reality, most consumers aren't terribly well educated in the art of saving money on basic stuff. While clipping coupons is pretty basic, there are all sorts of ways to cut costs, from re-financing a mortgage to using credit card reward programs.
If you're a general assignment reporter, you might start reading the money sections of newspapers along with consumer magazines. You see, viewers vote with their pocketbooks on election day, and they often do the same when it comes to local news. Show a viewer how to save a buck, and you've probably got a loyal viewer.
I truly believe we'll see a rise in consumer reports in 2009, and that means stations will need reporters who are well versed in the field. If you aren't, start reading. Interest rates are about to hit the lowest levels in history and that will have all sorts of effects on everyday life.
It's great to be a solid GA reporter, but throwing a clever consumer piece in the middle of your resume tape might give you an edge next year.
2 comments:
WXIA (11alive.com) has been doing this, and doing it well. My wife saw a reporter blog about it, and started doing it. Yesterday she left CVS pharmacy with 37 dollars worth of product, and paid a grand total of 46 cents. Yep, 46 cents.
One of the best tips she got was this: On most grocery (not drug) store sales, buy one get one free actually means each is sold at half price. This means you can use TWO coupons, one for each item. So, for example, you pick up two bottles of ketchup that are usually 1.50 each, but now they're only 75 cents each. Then you have a 30 cent coupon for each, but those are doubled (at most stores), so you get a discount of 60 cents per bottle. You just bought three bucks worth of ketchup for thirty cents.
As I say, WXIA is doing this, and it seems to be getting a lot of positive feedback.
Wow, that "BOGO" strategy is a new one.
Meanwhile, your wife saved you enough so you can buy her a nice Christmas present.
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