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Tools For Food Allergy Sufferers [Sensors + Apps]

Tech Tools To Help Prevent Allergic Reactions If you suffer from food allergies or shop for anyone who does, you know that it can often be difficult to find "safe" products at the grocery store . Try the Spoon Guru App . Simply scan foods labels and the app will alert you of any concerns based upon your (or your family member's) preset profile. (User must register for an account and create a profile, select allergens of concern and save.) Free. iOS and Android. Do you or does someone you know suffer from a peanut allergy ? A new consumer product called the Nima Peanut Sensor 1 (a handheld device + associated mobile app) might be of help. "Nima is recognized as a leader in allergen research and has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Health to develop the peanut sensor." This is technology moving the needle in the right direction, a potentially life-saving one. Remember to read the small print at the product website. What about gluten ? ...
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Shopping 101: Super Saver Tips To Stretch Your Household Budget

SHOPPING 101
Consider this a mantra: Always be on the lookout for deals. Use the money you save from getting everything at rock bottom prices to stretch your household budget. If you get the best value for anything that allows a discount --- whether through rewards, coupons, rebates, cashback or what-have-you --- then you should have funds available to funnel toward those things for which one cannot bargain (low and behold, some things come with a preset price) or bargain on (like emergencies). So to reiterate, always be on the lookout for deals. 

A Methodology to Help Your Bottom Line When Making A Purchase

Online Shopping:
  1. Always research any purchase/s prior to making it. You're already on the internet, a few simple clicks will get you everything from price comparisons to active coupon codes. Determine what you need (base specifications) versus what you want (bonus features).
  2. Look for online coupons to save on the front-end (before purchasing). You can use a site like Honey or Retail Me Not (both provide coupon codes and rebates/cashback depending on the store). If you can't find digital coupons or discount codes, look for cashback options and/or rebates to save on the back-end (after purchasing). A good resource to check is cashbackmonitor.com. Also, look at the various coupon + rebate apps & sites like Checkout 51, Ibotta, Savingstar and Shopkick to name a few. NOTE: Sometimes coupon use or other front-end discounts precludes receiving credit for back-end options. Read the small print, check terms and conditions. Sometimes it's worth it to try stacking savings options regardless of possible exclusions and see what shakes out. 
  3. Pick the biggest discount to apply first. If you'll get more cash back than what you'd save with a coupon (and qualifying for said cashback precludes coupon use in the transaction) don't use a coupon/s and opt for the cashback. It's better to save up front if you can, because that's money you don't spend versus waiting for a return, but receiving a discount of any sort is better than paying full price.
  4. Once you arrived at the lowest price (figured out the cost minus all the available discount/s), buy the item/s ---but NEVER pay cash, if you can help it! Employ Gift Cards either earned (via rewards cash-outs, contest prizes or survey stipends) or pre-purchased at a discount. [Not only are you saving money but using Gift Cards instead of a personal Debit or Credit Card helps protect against Identity Theft and Bank/Credit Card Theft.] If no gift cards are available (unfortunately, some stores and business don't have them) use what I call Freecash. Create an account with a financial service that gives you a VISA/MC Debit Card to access your funds. Look at options like PayPal, AMEX Bluebird/Serve, a no-fee re-loadable prepaid debit card, or a no-fee bank checking account. Label this your Freecash Account. Fund the account by using all the "extra" money, you earn: stipends from web surveys, rebates (including cash-outs from rebates apps), cash prizes from sweepstakes, cash from rewards redemption, cash earned from recycling, etc. Any source of capital that is not your paycheck or fixed retirement income. Sweep all these sources into Freecash. If you ever need to come out-of-pocket to make a (non-major) purchase, pay with Freecash. Tip: Use a part of your leisure time to do things that pay or have an opportunity for payment (cash or goods); take web surveys, write reviews, try products, enter contests and sweepstakes, etc. --- all potential extra income sources.

In-Store Shopping
Brick & Mortar shopping will follow the same process outlined above, except any coupons you use will likely be physical (paper). Create a coupon "envelope" to keep print/ed coupons together so you don't lose them. Carry this with you to the store so that planned discounts are readily accessible.


To recap: You've gotten the lowest price on an item and having arrived at this price (using front end and/or back end discounts), you then pay for any remaining balance needed to complete the purchase using your extra money or Freecash. It's a win from start to finish!

Plan well and it's often possible to get many items for free or better still to be paid to buy them (moneymaker).
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