05/12/2026
"The Extra $300 That Changed My Grocery Trips"
You know that feeling at the checkout line?
You're mentally calculating every item in your cart, praying you don't have to put something back. You put your debit card in the machine, hold your breath, and hope for “approved.”
That was me every Thursday in 2024. Rent took half my paycheque. Gas took another chunk. And groceries… groceries felt like a luxury. I was working full time, but full time wasn’t cutting it anymore. I needed something extra. But I didn’t have extra hours, extra money to invest, or extra energy for a second job that made me clock in somewhere else.
That’s when my friend Jess sent me a DM: “You’re on your phone all day anyway. Why not get paid for the stuff you already recommend?”
That “stuff” was affiliate marketing. And no, it’s not a scammy pyramid thing.
So what actually is it?
Think about the last time you told a friend, “You HAVE to try that air fryer” or “This app saved me $40 on groceries.”
Imagine if the company gave you $5-$50 every time someone bought because of you.
That’s affiliate marketing.
You share a product you actually use or believe in. You get a special link. When someone buys through it, you get a commission. The company handles the shipping, returns, customer service. You don’t stock anything. You don’t bug family to buy. You just share.
How I started with $0 — literally
Week 1: I got real about what I already talk about
I was broke, so I couldn’t buy fancy courses. I looked around my apartment. What did I use every day that actually helped me save money?
• The cashback app that gave me $12 back on groceries • The $30 budget planner from Amazon that stopped my impulse spending • The slow cooker that let me meal prep and skip takeout
All three had “affiliate programs.” It’s free to join. I Googled “[product name] + affiliate program” and signed up. Took 15 minutes.
Week 2: I stopped trying to be an “influencer”
I don’t have 10k followers. I have 200 Facebook friends and a TikTok I barely use. But I do have people who trust me because I’m not trying to sell them a Lamborghini. I’m the friend who knows where the Moncton deals are.
So I posted like I talk:
“Okay, if you’re also living off pasta this week, this $3 cashback app just gave me back $8 on spaghetti sauce + noodles at Sobeys. Not sponsored — I just need every dollar right now. My link is in comments if you want the same $5 signup bonus I got.”
No fancy graphics. No “link in bio.” Just honesty. 3 people signed up. I made $15. That was milk, bread, and eggs.
Month 2: I learned the 3 rules that kept me sane
1. Only share what you’d tell your broke best friend If you wouldn’t recommend it to your sister when she’s $20 short on rent, don’t post it. People smell desperation. Trust pays more than clicks.
2. Solve a $5 problem, not a $500 dream I wasn’t selling “get rich” courses. I shared the $12 meal plan that cut my grocery bill by $60/month. Struggling people don’t need motivation. They need $60.
3. Your story is the ad “Buy this blender” gets scrolled past.
“This $35 blender is why I can make soups for 4 days and skip $50 in UberEats” gets saved.
Month 4: The first time I didn’t panic at the checkout
It wasn’t millions. It was $287 that month. But $287 meant I didn’t use my credit card for groceries. It meant I could say yes when my kid’s school did pizza day. It meant I slept better.
If you’re where I was, start here — tonight
1. Pick 1 thing you already use that saves you money/time/stress
Not the “best” thing. The real thing. Examples for folks on a tight budget:
• Flipp app, Checkout 51, Too Good To Go • Budgeting tools like YNAB or a $5 Etsy template • Amazon basics: rice cooker, thermal curtains, thrifted finds from Poshmark
2. Find their affiliate program
Google “* affiliate program”*. Amazon Associates, Walmart Creator, Impact, ShareASale are free to join. Approval can take 1-3 days. If you get denied, start with Amazon — they accept most people.[company]
3. Share 1 post where people like you already hang out
Facebook group for Moncton moms? Comment when someone asks “how do you save on groceries?”
TikTok comments? Reddit? Your group chat?
Template: *“I was skeptical too, but cut my by $ last month. Here’s the link I used if you want to try — I get a few bucks if you do, no pressure.”
4. Track it like it’s $1000, even if it’s $3
Because $3 turns into $30 when you’re consistent. And $30 is a tank of gas.
The part nobody tells you
Some months you’ll make $12. Some months $212. It’s not a replacement for a job overnight. It’s breathing room. It’s the difference between “I can’t” and “I can try.”
And the best part? You don’t need to be salesy, pretty, or have time. You just need to be honest about what’s helping you survive right now. Because there are thousands of people in Moncton, in NB, across Canada, standing in that same grocery line holding their breath.
Your link might be the reason they exhale.
Want me to help you find 3 affiliate programs for things you already use?
Tell me 2-3 products/apps that have saved you money lately. I’ll pull the links and show you exactly what to say. No cost, no course — just getting you that first $15.
