Impressed by the grocery savings shown on TV's Extreme Couponing, but not willing to spend 30 hours a week clipping coupons? You're not alone. Oak Park mom and blogger Carrie Kirby can show you how to save at the supermarket without letting it take over your life. Kirby will share the secrets of living a “realistic frugal life”—how she went from average consumer to super cheapskate—at 2 pm on Sunday, January 15 at the Dole Branch Library, 255 Augusta Street, Oak Park. This program is free and open to all.

Carrie Kirby explains how tapping into an online community of shoppers and using a few simple techniques, can make it realistic for even busy families to cut 20% or more from their grocery bill. Kirby is the author of the blog FrugalisticMom.com [1], where she shares tips on being a realistic frugalista.

Check out Oak Park Public Library’s collection for additional ideas about saving money and smart shopping. You can access Consumer Reports any time at www.oppl.org [2] with your Oak Park Public Library card. Or check out the print copy of Consumer Reports at the library. For reviews of local services, visit the library to use Consumers’ Checkbook online.

Oak Park Public Library staff are happy to help guide you to just the right resources for your needs.