Vicksburg Evening Post
Susan Samtur is a super-saver supershopper. And if you think that tongue-twister is difficult to say, it's even more difficult to believe what Susan Samtur did. With a fistful of cash-off coupons and refunds and a thorough knowledge of grocery items, this four-foot, nine-inch mother of three bought $133.45 of groceries for just $7.55. Don't laugh. I saw her do it. Susan, author of "Cashing In At The Checkout" and editor of "Refundle Bundle" magazine, was in Jackson last month to speak at a regional seminar and workshop sponsored by Consumers International, Inc., a consumer service organization headquartered in Jackson. President of CI is Rex Eley of Vicksburg. The shopping spree at the Jitney-Jungle Super-Center located on Old Canton Road in Jackson was a fascinating experience. I was one of several television and newspaper reporters who could hardly believe it when Susan waltzed out of the grocery with two big shopping carts completely full of groceries which cost her just the tax on their total $7 55 It was enough to make one take up scissors and start clipping. In past demonstrations she bought $130.18 worth of groceries for only $7 07 in cash on the NBC-TV "Today" show, and paid only $1 70 in cash for $91 90 worth of groceries on the ABC-TV show. "Good Morning, America." She has also demonstrated her supershopping techniques to Richard Simmons on the "Richard Simmons Show." Her money-saving techniques are many, but Susan claims it takes only practice, a little time, and an awareness of the opportunities to save. She says she "inherited" her interest from her mother, who always had "24 cans of tomato sauce stashed under the bed." The Samturs, who live in New York City, decided they had to do something drastic in the money line when they moved into a new home and their mortgage note increased four-fold. Our salaries as a physical education instructor and an elementary education teacher just weren't enough," she said. Today the Samturs have given up their teaching to become co-editors of the publication called "Refundle Bundle," a monthly guide to refund and coupon offers. And they make appearances nationwide in connection with coupon shopping. Susan is also a contributing editor to "Family Circle" magazine. You may not be interested in getting into coupon clipping to the extent Susan is, but she surely brings to mind the opportunities there are to save on everyday grocery shopping. For instance buy items that are on sale in quantity; use corresponding cash-off coupons; look for products marked with cents-off labels; take advantage of trial sizes. If you are interested in more information on couponing and refunding, there are several sources Consumers International, through its national newsletter, "Actionline," makes available to subscribers the money-saving services and shopping techniques developed by Mrs. Samtur. Other publications also offer similar information. Judy Eley has never bothered with coupons before, but the fascination is there now. It's not only a good way to save but a challenge as well. Several of Judy's favorite recipes follow. We hope you enjoy them; and buy at least one of the ingredients with a coupon.
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