Archive for: Recession Watch

Grocio: A Promising Price Comparison Site

Advertisements on the TV and in newspapers from supermarkets are constantly telling us that they’re cheaper than the next guy offering “1,000 cheapest prices” etc… However, how do you really know that you’re getting a bargain on the whole shopping list all together. Well, very soon you’ll be able to find out using Grocio.

It launched a Beta on Monday in Tulsa in which supermarkets and shops submitted pricelists and coupons to the site. When users enter in their shopping list the grocery search engine does its magic and gives you the cheapest store for your shopping list. On top of that money saving idea, they will also give you coupons that you can print out and use in the store.

I can see this being a hit nationwide so long as the big stores keep submitting their price lists. Some see it a healthy competition, others see it as promotion while others see it as the end to small businesses. If the pricelists stop coming then Grocio will go down the tubes.

Gerard Buckley owns the site and is hopeful for its future. He couldn’t have picked a better time to launch such a site as people look to buy in bulk, shop around and ultimately save money.

Crenk Recession Watch: BillShrink Could Shrink Your Bills

Cell phones, credit cards and car costs are among the top most expensive bills that we get through our letter box. Stupid tariffs, outrageous interest rates and an ever growing cost per gallon can leave your wallet worn out at the end of the month.

Bill Shrink won’t make the bad bills go away – but it helps to shrink them, sometimes by more than you’d expect. It saves you the hassle of running around shopping for the best deal.

You go onto the homepage and select one of the following options ‘Cell Phone’, ‘Credit Card’ and ‘Gas Prices’. Then, you simply put in some basic information about how you use the particular service such as how often, for what and where.

The next screen asks you for your e-mail address and then the results are sent out in an e-mail for your critique.

The main thing that I like about Bill Shrink is that it’s extremely easy to use. Within two minutes I had results waiting for me in my inbox. They ask for basic information such as ‘how many texts do you send per day?’ and ‘do you use mobile internet?’.

This service could potentially save you $50 per month or more and I think its well worth a go. It is even mentioned in a T-mobile advertisement. Well, what have you got to loose?