Shopping Tips
Imagine if almost every dollar you spend on purchases, a portion can go to further missions, without you spending any extra money. Well, at last, it can.
The following tips can help you be an effective supporter for the ministry you choose to support and also to be a good steward of the resources you have been blessed with. It is important to use this program to only make purchases you were going to make anyway, therefore generating donations for the ministries without spending any extra money. You will be shopping directly with merchants who will give a commission to this program because you chose to shop with them. You will pay the same prices as if you had gone to the merchant website directly, only now you're helping your favorite Christian ministry.
1. No purchase is too small to make a difference -- whether you are downloading 99 cent music or purchasing expensive computer equipment, it all adds up. Every time you need to make a purchase, spend a minute or two and see if you can shop with our merchants.
2. Many merchants offer free shipping and have special offers most of the time. When shopping online, you seldom have to pay sales tax. Combining these factors, you can save several percentages with every purchase, plus earn a donation for your favorite ministry!
3. It's easy to shop around for the best deal without leaving your home. We have merchants grouped by category, for instance "Computers and Electronics," so you can price compare with several merchants easily.
4. Having items delivered directly to your home or office, you save time and fuel money. Also, if you need to ship an item or gift to another person, you can have it delivered directly to them and save the expense and hassle of shipping.
5. If you are not an experienced online shopper, you will be amazed at how safe and easy it is to shop online. View the merchant list occasionally to see which merchants have been added to the program.
6. You can purchase your everyday toiletry items, like toothpaste, hair spray, deodorant, shampoo, soap, fragrances, makeup, etc. Check out the Drugstore.com website. They offer free shipping and pricing comparable to major discount stores, plus you will save the sales tax. You also can earn rebate dollars for yourself to use on your next visit. Plan ahead and order your supplies monthly and save money and time.
7. Book your travel arrangements with any of our travel merchants. Most people make reservations online now anyway, so earn a donation for your favorite ministry and enjoy your trip even more!
8. Order office supplies for your home and/or ask your office to go through our site and order their office supplies. This is one of the most consistent ways to earn money for your mission. Everybody uses office supplies on a regular basis. Check out Amazon. com, Staples, Office Depot, etc. They have lots of promotions and usually free shipping as well.
9. Order birthday gifts, floral deliveries, books, DVDs, download music and movies. Join movie programs, contract for your cell phone service, and you can even get dental insurance.
10. Vitamins and supplements -- merchants like Vitacost, Puritans Pride, GNC and more have great pricing on products you use every day.
11. Pets - How much do you spend on your pets? It's crazy, isn't it, but don't we love 'em? You can save on pet supplies, pet medicines and preventatives and even pet food at our pet merchants like 1800PetMeds, Drs Foster&Smith and more.
12. Yes, you can even buy groceries. Look at Amazon.com for thousands of grocery items you can have delivered to your home. Pricing is similar to your local wholesale clubs, plus free shipping and save the sales tax.
13. If you can't find a store you're looking for on our merchant list, Contact Us and we will attempt to get that merchant added to our program.
We think you'll find online shopping to be enjoyable and hassle free and the satisfaction you'll get from earning donations for your favorite ministry will be priceless.
Following is a month-by-month suggestion list of ways to shop online and earn donations:
JANUARY -
Use the gift certificates you got for Christmas making online purchases.Have Christmas pictures made into digital keepsakes.Resolution Makers - sign up with NutriSystem, The South Beach Diet or Jillian Michaels.Book your spring break travel reservations.Order new and used college textbooks at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Borders.Place orders for personalized Valentine's Day giftsFEBRUARY -
Schedule your Valentine's Day deliveries or order gifts. Valentine photo cards at Walgreen's or WalMart photo departments.Order your supply of contact lens and vitamins.Do-It-Yourselfers, get your tax preparation software.Toiletries, groceries, office suppliesMARCH -
Book your summer vacation reservations.Get spring gardening needs at our gardening and hardware merchants.Easter wardrobe and shoes for the family.Fishing season supplies and gear. Check out Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops.APRIL -
Pet flea preventatives for warm weatherSpruce up spring and summer wardrobesEnd of season coaches gifts at Things RememberedProm dresses and supplies at PromGirlGolfers - update equipment at GigaGolf and GolfBalls.comMAY -
We can't forget Mother's Day - Direct Ship gifts from our "Gifts and Flowers" merchants.Pool opening chemicals and suppliesGraduation gifts - All merchants will have promotions!Sun protection items and sunglassesToiletries, groceries, office suppliesJUNE -
Father's Day giftsOrder wedding gifts and have delivered to the bride's home. Wedding registries at Targetand Amazon. For an added touch, order from SendThemForHim merchants and supportthe bride's favorite ministry or her church.JULY -
Back to school supplies and clothingVacation photos processed and turn your memories into a photo book.Toiletries, groceries, office suppliesAUGUST -
College books - new and usedDorm room suppliesSEPTEMBER -
Sporting goods supplies for fall sportsHunting season suppliesOCTOBER -
Start Christmas shoppingTheme party supplies and costumesToiletries, groceries, office suppliesNOVEMBER -
Thanksgiving and Christmas decorationsMore Christmas shoppingOrder personalized Christmas giftsDECEMBER -
Almost all stores will be having promotions! Order photo Christmas cardsLast minute Christmas gifts -- downloadable gift certificates, etc.These are all things most of us purchase anyway. Now we have an opportunity to have our spending bring glory to God by supporting those He has sent on mission for Him.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
