Shopping Tidbits from the MPM Shopping Alerts --- Day 41

Day 41

Shopping Testimonial

I needed to buy copy paper for our traditional pest control business in Ohio. I hate going to the store alone to buy this as I purchase by the case and it is heavy to get in and out. So I decided to try my mall.

I found Office Depot which we no longer have in our area. I ordered several things I needed (great price on a new ink cartridge) and found I was eligible for FREE delivery since I spent more than $50.00.

Then I Googled for coupons and found one for $20.00 off my purchase. (Please re-read this creative way to save even more on your purchases through your mall --- Note: please also re-read the magnifying glass icon information under the store you want to purchase from to ensure they will count both your MPM shopping rebate and the added use of a coupon. Some stores do; some don't. It's up to you to read the fine print for each store.) I was allowed to use that also and as long as my purchase was still at least $50.00, the FREE shipping still applied. My supplies arrived Monday morning.

I am very happy!!! Thanks so much for all the great finds every one makes.
Barbara B.

Shopping Testimonial

My wife, Nancy, just received Earth Shoes from ShoeBuy.com on her Mall yesterday. She ordered tennis shoes and sandals. These special shoes have "negative heel" technology for folks like her who have severe pain in the front part of their feet and toes. These shoes transfer the weight of each step to the heel, taking the pressure off themost painful part of the foot. She is ecstatic over how great her feet feel. She can nowgo walking in comfort. Free Shipping and free returns, too.

I just received two cordless phone batteries from ebatts .com, too. They are so much cheaper than you can get anywhere else. They have superb customer service and free shipping, plus a 10% discount code you can use. By the way, the batteries I received were configured a little differently than the originals, but they work perfectly. I can just bet that by how this company does business, they'll last a lot longer than the old ones. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

These are just a few of the many things we've bought through My Power Mall. It's just amazing how many great stores and great deals we have on our Malls.

Brad G., AZ

Shopping Testimonial

From a BootCamper:
I really did buy TP today ONLINE! It was pretty cool because as those of you with kids will attest to, the grocery store can become a nightmare when shopping with the kiddos! I got the shopping alert today and there were comparisons for several of the stores on the mall. I used to live in Michigan, so when I saw that Meijer was on there and their rebate is higher than Wal-Mart, I couldn't say no!

Lisa J.

Shopping Testimonial

Yesterday my wife's outdoor pond pump quit for good. We discussed whether we could find it in her Power Mall or not. She thought we could, but I was a tad more skeptical. I said, "What the heck, it couldn't hurt to try." Well, in two seconds, our Mall search took us to our favorite offline pet store: Petsmart. And wouldn't you know it: same pump, great price, FREE SHIPPING! We are learning real quick that you can find darn-near ANYTHING in your Mall and it even makes you money! It truly doesn't get any better.

Brad G.

Shopping Testimonial

I was shopping on a new site for a router for a computer client and found a good deal on a site called JustDeals.com. Not only did I find a really good deal on the router I was looking for (about 1/3 the store price), but I also found that this site does a flat shipping rate of $1.95!

Yvonne (from the MPM Members Forum)

Shopping Testimonial

I'm so delighted with MPM in so many ways but I had a real eye opener last week. I ordered from a MPM vendor, a funeral spray for a memorial services I was attending.

When I arrived at the service, I noticed one particular arrangement stood out from the others. I went forward and was surprised to learn that magnificent piece was from me. I had paid only $89. When I returned home, I priced similar arrangements at a local florist and they were $119 and up. In addition to the generous rebate, I received real value for my dollar. Everything I have ordered from a MPM vendor has been first class and shipped promptly.

Shirley T., ID

Shopping Tip

Keep a shopping list at your computer (or wherever you are) to check or write down what you need as things start to get low (but before you need them). Then once or twice a week, get on your Mall and make your purchases. While you're doing that, you can know that as long as you have an American Express Gift Card you can also make money every time you go shopping locally!

Shopping Tip

Never sign up for auto-ship programs. Your original purchase will be tracked, but subsequent purchases will be lost to you because they will have been generated by the store, not by you in your mall. Just put a reminder in your computer's calendar (or your SHOPPING LIST in your back office) to remind you when to order each month.

"But," you might ask, "How do I shop and earn rebates on my purchases?"

First you need to become a World Changer Member by going to http://www.bigzgivesbig.com/.

1. Watch the online presentation -- it's short, but informative.
2. Sign up for a World Changer below the video screen.
3. Print out your order confirmation as it has important information you'll want to refer back to.
4. After you receive your Welcome Letter in your email box, you can SHOP for almost anything on the planet through your personal mall!!!
5. Then, you may submit your own testimonials and tips on your own shopping experience ;-).

Happy shopping !

GROCERY REBATES to the tune of $300 --- Day 32

Day 32

Today we listened to a.m./p.m. conference calls. The a.m. call, especially, was chock full of good information and training.

We researched a product for a family member who would like to use Big Z's Mall for purchase (they are not yet ready to know more).

We spoke with Big Z's Dad about his support and options for gaining rebates. He will likely get a personal mall in a few months so that he can gain his own rebates while also supporting his son's business.

We wrote an email to our contact from our call yesterday. We explained that she may grow her business in any way that most utilizes her passions and her strengths, which may very well be what many Boot Campers are doing now: working directly with Non-Profit agencies that are near and dear to their hearts. She was concerned that she may not be able to do what I was doing. Though I let her know in our telephone conversation that I was stepping out of my comfort zone and that as I pressed my own boundaries, I was able to do this. It wasn't without fear. Each time gets easier. So, I wanted to let her know, as we are seeing with the Boot Campers, that there are many ways to put the word out that will bring rebates back to her business while funding organizations that are important to her. We also let her know that there are tools in the back office, such as the e-card we sent, that will be available for her use, as well as training materials and calls that will help educate her on how to be effective in growing her business.

We did some updating to blogs and we finally found out how to embed a YouTube video into the text portion of the blog. Needless to say, I was quite ecstatic to learn how, finally ;-).

Over the last few days we've been taking the World Changer Training Manual Script and re-typing it for our own use. I don't have an ability on my computer to alter the .pdf document, or to copy/paste, so, I'm pulling out what is necessary for me, and making small changes. I'm also typing up the Contact Info Sheet so that it follows directly with the interview questions. There are a few that are missing and I notice the flow of my note-taking slows in these points. I feel that doing this will help us be more effective when we are calling people and giving them their interview.

Today we ordered our Grocery Rebate from our back office. WOW! How wonderful it is going to be to receive it and begin a year long program that will GIVE us $25 per month in REBATES!

Now, that is some kind of business that REWARDS you to continue doing what you do EVERYDAY ANYWAY---- SHOP for GROCERIES!!!! That's $300 we will be GAINING this year. YEAH!

What's MORE is that we're not only able to gain additional REBATES for buying GROCERIES, but we're able to support the One-Child-At-A-Time Program, AND, we're able to support a Together We Can Change The World Foundation Mall at the same time. ;-)

The question is:

How would YOU like to get $300 in Grocery Rebates for doing what you have to do ANYHOW? It's not like we can stop our grocery shopping. These are EVERYDAY items that we NEED EVERYDAY ANYWAY.

Get your Rebates Today: http://www.bigzgivesbig.com/.
And, smile because you're supporting yourself, your family, and a good cause all at the same time ;-). Thank you.

Thanks, Ginny and the wonderful team at Together We Can Change The World, Inc./My Power Mall! We so much appreciate all your efforts to give us the B-E-S-T.

We're calling it an early night.

Weekend Wonders --- Days 11 and 12

Days 11 and 12

Spoke this weekend with a friend who has recently moved to southern CA. She has met some incredible people who have mentored her in starting a gallery. She has a long-time artist friend, and knew that for years she would like to display his work. She had her opening and it was good. A few weeks ago, she featured another talented artist. It also was well-attended. She's also had a Bed and Breakfast in the past and may have another in the future.

I've spoken with her before about the business, but her computer has died and she hasn't replaced it. She's had me take the lead for other projects when it comes to the Internet and the computer. This visit, I really wanted to let her know about the Business Partnership Program, and how she could gain an added revenue stream by introducing her new business contacts to the program. We'll keep in touch and check in again after the new year, and after she gets another computer. They are going to be moving back to our town then, too. YEAH.

Saturday was a day of cleansing and organizing. Amazing what a clean desk can do for your soul. Will still be working toward perfecting a good system of tracking contacts, follow-ups and growing the Big Z team.

Saturday also brought with it our first snow. A huge Arctic Front has brought a big freeze and snow to the West Coast. The coldest since 1990.

Waking up Sunday to a brilliant white wonderland was lovely. The day brought with it some sun and it felt like a perfect winter day to nest. Sun always makes the day brighter (no pun intended!) Made some lentil soup, and a cake to surprise Big Z with when he arrived home while listening to the recently posted evening calls from 2 weeks ago. When he got here, there was a still a few rays of daylight and so he took advantage to it by getting the sled out and playing in the freezing cold snow for about 10 minutes.

The calls were great, and I found some information in them that I'm glad that I didn't miss. How good it is to catch the calls live. It's challenging to catch them both in a busy day. So, having the calls recorded and accessible is very, very helpful. If we had i-pods, why I can guarantee we'd have them downloaded to the little gadgets to listen to over and over again!

Christmas cards were also a part of our afternoon. Years have gone by with my good intention to mail Christmas cards to friends and family, but for some reason, those wonderful messages never get delivered via USPS; instead they are sent through time and space on loving thoughts and prayers. Typically, before we know it, mid- December is here and we're flyin' or drivin' south for the holiday (this year we were going to stay put since I just made the trip, saving it instead for warmer weather and Spring Break!). No, not this year for those cards. They aren't staying in their boxes another minute. We have SUCCESS! Most, if not All, will receive a cheerful holiday message from us. We'll do our best.

Lastly, we've been preparing for our impending trip to California for my step-Father's services this Friday. We're going to stay through Christmas Day. We're going to be navigating the storms and make our way south during a window that's supposed to occur this week, likely Tuesday.

I struggle with the disappointment of knowing that our efforts in growing Big Z's business during our personal boot camp will need to be set aside during this necessary time with family. I realize, though, that it's not an end, just a pause to our efforts . . . A pause that life will always insert into our lives.

This gives a chance to tell you of one reason WHY it is important to grow a business to the point that it provides income even when you're not able to devote time to growing it. That's called R-E-S-I-D-U-A-L I-N-C-O-M-E. We love being able to help others in our lives. When people have day jobs, the amount they are able to help is diminished in certain ways. They are not able to help a mom who needs to have surgery and has no one to watch their kids. They aren't able to help friends and family with odd tasks and jobs. It's not easy to take time away from work to go support a loved one who is ailing. It's not easy to just leave your job to take a trip like we are taking--- a service for a loved one and an extended stay for the holiday. It's not easy to help care for pets of friends who have to go out of town. It's not easy to volunteer at your school if the teacher is ill. It's not easy to work for the your school and their fundraisers. It's not easy to raise your kids while getting quality time. It's more difficult to help your friends with landscaping projects. This doesn't even count all the community efforts that need support daily. Ultimately, it boils down to TIME FREEDOM, to FINANCIAL FREEDOM (at least financial comfort), and to FAMILY FREEDOM.

This is one of our WHYs for having a business from home. We want freedom and wealth, and to know that we can do what we want and have to do at a moment's notice, without wondering how it will be paid for and whether we'd lose our job by taking time off, or wondering if our kids will have more affection with their day-sitters than you, etc.

Jobs are good. They serve a purpose, yes. As another Boot Camper said, j.o.b. stands for "just over broke." I've heard that before. We want a Life, not just being a slave to the clock. All of us deserve Life. And in this economy, we also deserve Security . . . something that a lot of j.o.b.s. are not providing right now.

Take action for your future. Find a way to grow your possibility of Life well-lived and enjoyed:

Visit http://www.bigzgivesbig.com/ and sign up as a World Changer. Utilize the gift of the $300 fuel rebate when you sign up! And earn your rebates for shopping in your own mall! Or, purchase an American Express Gift Card and shop locally. Make a difference in your life. Pay yourself first by claiming your rebates. You'll be glad you did.