Where does my membership money actually go?

I believe in radical transparency — not just for grocery prices, but for how I run this business. Your membership dues are split into three main buckets:

• The Human Element (A Living Wage): Stumptown Savings currently takes 40+ hours a week to produce. To keep this resource alive and accurate, it has to be more than a hobby. Part of your membership goes toward my own "grocery budget" and bills, allowing me to treat this as a professional job rather than a side project I squeeze in at night.
• The Tech & Operations: It costs money to stay independent. This includes my email platform (Beehiiv), accounting software to keep the books straight, and the marketing costs required to reach new Portlanders and grow our community.
• The Research & Reporting: "Boots on the ground" and data journalism has expenses. This covers transportation for reporting trips to stores, farms, and factories across the metro area, the cost of products for our taste-tests and price comparisons, and — importantly — grocery gift cards for our Rose City Receipts contributors. When neighbors share their data with us, I want to be able to thank them for their time.

When you join the Savers Club, you aren't just "buying a newsletter." You are directly funding the infrastructure of local, independent media in Portland.

Why don’t you just sell ads?

Trust me, I’m trying! If you see an ad in Stumptown Savings, unless it’s from a local business, it’s most likely a programmatic ad. But the truth is, those pay pennies and only when someone clicks.

I’ve spent months reaching out to local businessess like grocery stores — businesses I’ve sent thousands of customers to — and local credit unions I’ve personally banked with for nearly a decade. For whatever reason, traditional businesses haven't been interested in partnering with a project that prioritizes helping Portlanders shop locally.

But there is a bigger reason I rely on a member-supported model. Having spent my career in local news (including 5 years at OPB), I’ve seen the "advertising-only" model fail over and over again. It creates a volatile boom-and-bust cycle that usually ends with the community losing a resource they rely on. Relying solely on advertisers makes a publication vulnerable; relying on readers makes it sustainable.

Most importantly, by prioritizing members over advertisers, I never have to worry about a grocery store getting mad if I report that their milk prices just jumped 20%. I don’t answer to a marketing department or a corporate board. I answer to you.

What exactly is the "Savers Club"?

The Savers Club is the paid tier of Stumptown Savings. While the weekly deals remain free for everyone, Savers Club members get "The Toolbox":

• Members-Only Events: Like tours of historic bakeries, or member potlucks.
• Premium Guides & Resources: Go beyond the basics with exclusive guides to grocery delivery, finding the best local butcher shops, and more.
• The Portland Price Tracker: A monthly data dive into 21 local stores and how their prices are changing.
• The Costco Membership Calculator: To see if the bulk-buy life actually saves you money.
• The Savers Club Card (For Annual Members): A physical card that gets you discounts at local spots like Level Beer, Kitchen Kaboodle, The Academy Theater, and more.

I’m already struggling with grocery prices. How can I justify a membership?

I hear you — that is exactly why I do this. The Savers Club is designed to be an investment, not an expense. Most of our members report by using Stumptown Savings, the membership pays for itself within a few grocery trips.
Note: If you are currently in a financial crisis, please stay on the free list. We also offer a limited number of "Community Memberships" for
those in need — just reply to any email and let me know.

How do I cancel my membership?

To cancel your Stumptown Savers Club membership, simply go to the "Manage Subscription" section of StumptownSavings.com and follow the steps to cancel. It's important to keep in mind that if you've already paid for a full month or year, there won't be an option for a partial refund; however, once you cancel, you will still have access to all the membership perks until your subscription expires. After that, you won't be charged again.

How do I access my account on StumptownSavings.com?

Simply log in at StumptownSavings.com to access your account. Click on the menu icon in the upper right corner and select "Login." Enter your email, and the site will send you a magic link — no password required.

I’m a Savers Club member, why can’t I see members-only content?

Please ensure that you are logged in with the email address you used to pay for your Stumptown Savers Club membership. If that doesn’t work, reach out to [email protected] for help.

How do I update/change the email address my membership is connected to?

If you would like to change your email address, please contact support@stumptownsavings.comfor help.

How do I update/change the credit card used to pay for my membership?

To manage your subscription, simply log in to StumptownSavings.com and navigate to the "Manage Subscription" section. From there, click on the button labeled "Manage Subscription," which will open a new browser tab and take you to the Billing page. This page allows you to manage all of your billing information, including credit card details.

Can I gift a membership to a family member or friend?

Yes, on our upgrade page, you can select the Gift option, choose the plan you would like to purchase as a gift, and follow the prompts.

Can I buy a membership for more than 1 person or my company/organization?

Yes, reach out to [email protected] for assistance.