Shop, Save, Share [Paperback]

Ellie Kay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

Shop, Save, and Share is a streamlined program to help you save hundreds of dollars a month on groceries and household supplies and have a bounty to share with people in need. While the Food Economic Review says the average family of seven spends nearly $1000 a month on food, Ellie Kay spends only $200 a month for the same items plus diapers, toiletries, and cleansers. And in one year she donated over $1000 in groceries to needy families!

Using the simple principles of Shop, Save, and Share, most households can lower their food budgets 50% to 85% under national norms. A smashing success on 120 Air Forces bases worldwide, Ellie Kay's Shop, Save, and Share presentation has been made available to more than half a million people.

"Ellie Kay's tips were conceived in shoe leather walking the aisles of the supermarkets and shops of the city. Shop, Save, and Share will definitely save you big bucks and point the way to sharing your secrets with others."

Pastor Jack D. Brock, Senior Pastor, Christ Community Church

"Ellie Kay's book challenges families to take charge of their finances, simplify their lives, reassess their priorities, and share with others who are less fortunate. Her simple yet revolutionary program changes families daily."

MG Lawson W. Magruder III, Commanding General, U.S. Army

"One evening with this extremely practical book will change your whole approach to balancing income and expenses. On

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ever since slipping her own crisp dollar bill into the offering plate as a second grader, Ellie Kay has felt that the sweetest dollar was the one you could give away. Blessed at a young age with a frugal nature and a giving heart, Ellie has now transformed into a Coupon Queen and, in her own words, "the half-witted mother of five."

After attaining a Bachelor's Degree in Management of Human Resources from Colorado Christian University, Ellie served as an insurance broker in Texas. There she met her husband, Bob, an U.S. Air Force pilot who promised to show her the world.

Instead, Ellie and Bob ended up with five children in seven years and an itinerant lifestyle as the family was restationed. With a large family and no set home, Ellie learned that she was either going to have to start looking at life funny-or end up on the funny farm. Her charming sense of humor, easy self-deprecation, and dead-on system for saving money has made her a favorite speaker at ladies' retreats, Christian Women's Clubs, Rotary Organizations, Officer's Spouses' Groups, and more.

Armed with a $200.00 monthly grocery budget, Ellie Kay consistently saves her family thousands of dollars a year on household products with an easy, streamlined savings system that has become a favorite of women everywhere. Founded in 1988, Ellie's Shop, Save, and Share Seminars have been delivered to audiences across the nation and have even been made into a film for the Air Force Family Support Center.

Ellie's trademark wit and homespun humor come through in her writing as well in her new book, Shop, Save, and Share. Based on her seminar, the title emphasizes the Christian's unique call to stewardship and giving to others. Ellie has never forgotten that initial lesson about the sweetest dollar and is teaching others how to save money around the house in order to provide for those in need.

Shop, Save, and Share promises to show families how to lower their food budgets by 50% to 85% below the national norms. As well, it provides practical advice on better ways to shop and gives terrific ideas for giving back a portion of what has been saved.

Living currently in New York State with her five children and her husband, Ellie Kay continues to teach women the easy steps to saving a bundle and the simple truths about giving that come from God himself.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Pub; 1 edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764220837
• ISBN-13: 978-0764220838
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,451,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changing, February 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Shop, Save, Share (Paperback)

This book changed my life. My husband and I were having the same fights over and over again. It was all about the dreaded topic of money. He thought I didn't try hard enough and I thought he spent money foolishly. Then we got Shop, Save and Share. It was a quick read and really challenged us to make some drastic changes. We realized we truly could cut corners in ways that weren't too painful. It truly wasn't that difficult to shave hundreds of dollars off our monthly food budget and simplify other areas of our lives. We have found we have lots of (free) groceries to pass along to other people who need them. By reaching out to others, we've taken the focus off of ourselves and our (former) problems. My husband really appreciates the teamwork philosophy. Our marriage is better than it has been in a long time and we don't argue about money all the time. Thank you, Ellie, for making a difference in our lives by writing this book. I hope you sell a million copies and I hope that those children you support in India can one day meet you--you are one incredible lady!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bargain even at the retail price of $9.99!, May 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Shop, Save, Share (Paperback)

I've purchased hard copy editions of other money savings books and after buying Shop, Save and Share, I feel I paid too much for those other books! Ellie's book is a trade paperback that is so full of great information that I felt I was getting a bargain in buying the book. I ordered copies for my friends birthdays and for family members because I think that anyone will enjoy Ellie's humor as well as her practical advice on how to save money. This isn't one of those books you'll want to pass around to friends--let them get their own reference copy. I have to save my copy to refer back to after I've gone to the store. I cut my grocery bill in half the first time I went to the store! I've lowered monthly expenses around the house by just twisting a few knobs and modifying some appliance settings. I've even been challenged to share some of our (free) groceries with our local womens shelter. I just want to know when Ellie is going to write another book!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm already saving $$, February 25, 2004

By 

Laura Harris (Alamogordo, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shop, Save, and Share (Paperback)

As a mom to 2 teenage boys (and a husband who counts in the teenager category most of the time)my grocery bill is astronomical! Ellie's book is jam packed with practical, easy to implement ideas that saved me money the first week after reading it. Last night I shopped the Walgreen circular (something I would have never done before taking Ellie's advice) for toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, softner, toothpaste, peanuts, and my favorite lipstick that was buy one/get one free - yahoo! I saved $37 on $80's worth of items. I wish I had read her book 10 years ago. My grocery bill is down and my ability to share with others is up. It doesn't get much better than that. Thanks, Ellie for sharing with us!