Confessions of a Former Coupon Snob

I guess for me it started when I was in high school.  My very first job was at a Food Lion supermarket.  I can remember how agitated I would get when these women, with stacks of unorganized paper clippings, would come into my line and attempt to sort through them as I tried to move them along swiftly.  Registers back then weren’t like the nice ones we see now days.  I would have to check the journal tape continuously to ensure that none of their coupons were missed or otherwise face a tongue lashing. The pressure was only multiplied with their usual three plus, screaming kids in the cart and my growing line.  Needless to say, that job didn’t last very long.  At any rate, I think that is where my preconceived notions began.

The thought of using coupons never occurred to me when I was in college.  Of course, I would use the occasional a Express or The Limited discount or promo but, that was different. Fast forward a few years and my first daughter was born.  I tried to pay attention to who had the best deals on Pampers, etc. but just going to Sam’s Club or BJ’s and buying in bulk felt like the best option.  I was a career woman and I did not see myself investing the time or energy into couponing.  I also secretly believed that they were for people who couldn’t afford to pay regular price.  I think it was working in retail management that helped me form that idea.  I became frustrated with people trying to haggle, reproduce coupons and so much more.  Honestly, my mood would change when someone presented a coupon.  I was a coupon snob.

Fast forward to 2007. Our second daughter was born.  My husband and I made the well meaning, albeit unplanned decision to become a one income family. Almost simultaneously gas prices were rising and the recession was crowning.  How were we going to maintain our lifestyle and all the luxuries we enjoyed with one income?  We had savings so it did not seem to be an immediate concern.  Then, our 2nd daughter suddenly took ill when she was 8 months old.  She was hospitalized for nearly a month (we were over two hours from home).  My husband did not work the entire time she was in the hospital so we were living off of our savings.  Then came the hospital bills!  Thank God for good health insurance.

At the beginning of every year we all make resolutions and 2008 wasn’t any different.  However, my resolution was.  I was committed to half-price living.  I decided I would enjoy all of the things that I used to for half-price.  We needed to rebuild our savings and figure out how this new lifestyle was really going to work out.  It started with diapers.  I enjoyed finding those $5.00 off Huggies coupons.  Then the baby wipes and other ancillary product coupons began to attract my attention.  Before I knew it I had progressed on to coupons for baby food and so much more.  I began to track how much I saved and I began to challenge myself to save more on the next shopping trip.  Eventually, I was saving over $40 a visit with in-store promotions and coupons combined.

However, I wasn’t completely cured of my stereotypical opinions of coupon users.  I just felt like I was an exception to the rule.  I refused to fumble through an envelope of coupons in the checkout line as my daughters wiggled in frustration with the whole ordeal.  My solution, I created myself a little nifty little binder to organize my coupons.  I began searching the internet and I found women that saved so much they took European vacations–on one income!  Boy, was I motivated and I was certainly cured!  I now consider myself a pro.

The rewards have been great.  We have saved a lot although we are far from frugal,. We have continued to tithe.  As a matter of fact, we actually increased our giving.  I get kind of excited about the Sunday paper in anticipation of the savings folded inside its pages.  The beginning of the month ushers in the new online printable coupons and I just can’t wait.  The moral of the story: never judge a book by its cover.  I wasted a great deal of money and time doing so.  But hey, when you know better do better.

Share your thoughts!

Ways to Save Money on Vacation

Well ladies, summer has finally arrived!  Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, most kids are out of school, the sun is beaming on our backs, and the scent of charcoal is in the air–summer has begun.  During these tight economic times, we still want to travel and enjoy the summer.  Here are some tips that my family has used and some that I found from others:

1.  Set a realistic budget on the amount you can actually spend on vacation.  This will determine what type of trip you can take.  If you want to go to Disney World, but your budget says go to Myrtle Beach, listen.  Factor in the cost of transportation, food, entertainment, shopping (if you desire), hotel accomodations, and just in case money.  Ask these questions:  What type of trip do I want to take?  How much do I need to save each month/week to be able to pay for the trip?  How will I pay for the trip?  (cash is better!)  Will I be “in the hole” when I get back?

2.  Search and compare.  Use on-line sources such as, www.priceline.com, www.hotels.com, www.expedia.com, just to name a few.  There you can find information on car rentals, hotel, airfare, etc.  Just be sure you read the fine print.  Some do not offer refunds on certain deals.  In addition, if there is a problem and money needs to be refunded, most likely you will have to go through the online source which usually takes longer.  Many people refer to book directly through the hotel.  Many hotels will match and sometimes offer more of a discount.

3.  Use your discounts.  AAA members, government employees, AARP, and credit card companies, just to name a few,  offer great discounts to clients.

4.  Pack food.  Shop for food and snacks before you leave home.  With two small children,  this is a necessity for me!  Avoid shopping in convenient stores, hotels, amusement parks, anywhere that will cost you an arm and a leg.  Think about what you could have bought with that $3.oo you spent on that soda!  If you are attending a place where they do not let you bring in outside food, plan for the cost.  It still boggles my mind how much places charge for some things! 

5.  Eat your big meal at lunch and go light on dinner.  Many places offer the same food at cheaper prices during lunch hours.

6.  Stay in accomodations that offer free breakfast and that have a refrigerator to store snacks. 

7.  Go to less known destinations.   Try visiting place that aren’t a huge tourist destination.  Research and find those areas that are just as entertaining, but don’t carry the huge price tag.

8.  Travel during the offseason or on the outskirts of a popular season.  You will save big in the area of transportation and hotels.  Avoid huge crowds and long lines by going the right time of year.  Many locals may even be friendlier and you may recieve better service because they don’t have the stress of dealing with lots of people.

9.  Be flexible with your travel dates.  It may be cheaper to go during  the week, instead of the weekend.   Also, many prices are inflated due to local events.  It may be better to wait after the event to over.

Additional sources:  http://singleparents.about.com/od/cuttingcosts/ss/save_vacation_4.htm

http://www.ajc.com/travel/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2009/02/24/money_saving_vacation_tips.html

Recession Busting Tips: Pt. 2

1.  Pack your lunch. Think about it, if you spend $5.oo a day on just lunch and an average work week is 5 days, that’s $25.00 a week, $100.00 a month!  What can you be doing with that money?  It’s alright to treat yourself, but it can be expensive doing it every day.

2.  Use your leftovers. It makes a great lunch the next day and it saves time, as well as, money.

3.  Carpool. If you have someone who works in the same area, rotate carpooling duties.  This is a tried and true way of saving on gas and giving your car a break.

4.  When shopping, make a shopping list and STICK TO IT! This is a challenging area for me.  With two toddlers, I use a lot of my energy just trying to get them in the car!  Sometimes it’s hard to avoid impulse shopping (that’s an area I am working on), but preparing before you go to the store can help streamline your purchasing.  Go ahead and go thru the sales flyers and have your coupons ready, it makes for a more productive trip.

5.  Distinguish between needs and desires. We often justify our “extra” purchases by saying, “I really need this.”  But, in fact, it is something you really want.  Look at what it  takes for you to live.  Yes it is alright to enjoy some of the “extras” in life, but in moderation.  Furthermore, plan for the extras-entertainment, cosmetics, electronics, etc.,whatever it may be.  Look at what you need and what you can realistically afford.

6.  TITHE, TITHE, TITHE. “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.  “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’   “In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.  “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.”  Malachi 3:8-12 (NIV) We must never neglect our obligation to honor God with the first fruits (10%) of our labor.  As believers, there are some bad things that God doesn’t allow to happen, because we are faithful in paying our tithes.  It may not all be monetary, but it will be what we need at that time.

Get into Shape on the Cheap!

We’ve all done it.  We get motivated to get into shape and join a gym.  Some of us even go so far as to purchase equipment for our homes. (I for one had the AbRoller, unsuccessfully begged for my mom’s AbLounge, purchased resistance bands and a balance ball, and gave away a thigh master!  Shall I go on?) Slowly but surely we find excuses not to go to the gym and the treadmill becomes a laundry basket.  Enough with the excuses.  We’ve got to get into shape.  Even in tough economic times we can accomplish this task.  With a little determination and savvy we can become healhly while being frugal.

• Take advantage of free online resources.  If its motivation that you lack, the 50 Million Pound Challenge is a great way to get healthy.  You can join a team and support each other.  There are tools for creating meal plans, tracking your activity and much more.  NutritonData.com will help you determine the amount of sugar, heavy carbohydrates, saturated fat, etc. can be found in the foods in your diet.  The Real Age newsletter is also an awesome tool.  You can receive great tips directly in your inbox.  You can get tips on clearing your sinuses all they way to losing weight for colon health.
• T.V isn’t all bad. Fit T.V and other networks have numerous workouts that you can take advantage of if you have cable or satellite.  They offer bellydancing, yoga, aerobics and much more.  If you don’t have cable PBS or your local access channel probably has something to offer.  Check your local listings.  (Be sure to check with your physician before starting any exercise routine.)
• Get moving! Start walking or running.  If you live near the beach, walking without shoes can be a great aerobic activity.  Remember to use proper shoes for both walking and running.  Joe’s NewBalance Outlet is a great online resource for reputable walking and running shoes at prices to fit even the recession budgets we now have.   Start off the pace slowly for both running and walking to avoid any injuries.  Jumping rope and calesthenics are also very beneficial if your are looking to strengthen your body.
• Become a fish. Or at least develop a love of water like a fish.  Increasing your water intake is the least expensive and most beneficial change you can make for your lifestyle.  Staying hydrated is vital for our proper physical function and can improve our mental functioning as well.
• Eat more often! That’s right, I said it.  You should increase the frequency or your meals but you must decrease your portions.  Small meals eaten more frequently allow the body to efficiently metabolize what you eat.

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Recession Busting Tips: Part One

Well Sisters,  I have spent the last few days pondering more ways to tighten my family’s belt.  I like to think that for the most part I can be pretty frugal although my husband and I both have our guilty pleasures.  We had a tremendous lifestyle change after I stopped working near the end of my second pregnancy.  We suddenly snapped from two incomes to one.  We did not prepare as well as we probably could have but we certainly learned the difference between necessity and desire.  At any rate, here are a few tips to help us all ride the economic wave.  And, of course, please share any tips you have with your SISTERS!

Recession Busting Tips: Part One

1. Buy whole chickens. All of the poultry eaters out there have already noticed the rising prices.  A great way to combat this is to stop paying for convenience.  Instead of purchasing chicken parts or whole cut-up chickens, purchase whole chickens and cut them yourself.  In most cases, you will save between $.75 to $1.00 per pound!  That is savings that can add up!  You’ll need freezer bags and a good pair of poultry shears to do the job, but it’s worth it.
2. Make your own cleaning supplies. Not only is this better for the environment, but you can save a ton.  There are several websites dedicated to do-it-yourself cleaning supplies and tips.  We even have several articles dedicated to it.  You can check them out here.
3. Bye-bye acrylic nails. I know a great deal of women just refuse to cut back in the area, however doing so can save a bundle.  On average, acrylic nails will cost $22 (plus $4 tip) every two weeks.  That’s a cost of $676 a year!  Many women attempt to do it themselves at home but that increases the risk of infection and fungus even more.  Try a healthy diet with vitamins and at-home manicures or barter with a friend.  It’s worth it!
4. Turn off that fan. Use the kitchen and bathroom ventilating fans sparingly during cold weather. In just one hour, these fans can blow away a houseful of heated air. Turn them off just as soon as they have done their jobs.
5. Have a garage sale! I admit I’m still getting my nerve up to try this tip, but from what I’ve seen the benefits are great.  You clear out unwanted or underused items and make a little cash in the process.  Alternatively, you could schedule a pick-up with Goodwill or the Salvation Army and tax the tax write-off.  Either way, you save.
6. Clip those coupons. Use coupons whenever you can.  They are especially great in combination with in-store promotions.  You can save as much as 80% on some items and more if you catch a BOGO.  Sign-up with websites like CouponMom.com and SmartSource to get a heads up on the coupons that will be featured in Sunday’s Paper.

Stay tuned for more tips….

Avoiding the Dollar Menu

Food is quickly becoming the number one concern of cash-strapped Americans according to a recent study from the International Food Information Council.  With the economy in a downward spiral many Americans are opting to eat from the dollar menu at many fast food restaurants to save money.   Unfortunately, the couple of dollars saved today will cost much more later in regards to healthcare costs.

As households struggle with falling incomes and with food prices expected to jump 6 percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, families are scrimping on groceries. Nearly six in 10 Americans said they’ve cut back on the quality or quantity of the food they buy, according to an annual hunger survey released this week by Hormel Foods Corp.

The good news is that we can still eat healthy on a budget.  However, it does take some effort. Try these tips for getting your diet and budget to agree.

• Save on staple items:  Watch for sales on milk, bread, eggs, pasta, cereal, rice, dry beans, etc.
• Buy in bulk, but don’t buy more than you will use because waste is costly, too.  Check out wholesalers like Sam’s, BJ’s and Costco.  Some of them even accept coupons so your membership will pay for itself!
• Use coupons.  Check out weekly sales at all of your local grocers.  Combine what is on sale with your coupons for extra savings.
• Plan meals around what is on sale.  (This has been especially challenging for me, but I have seen the fruit of my efforts, so I will stay at it.)
• Say no to processed foods.  Processed foods usually cost more and have less nutritional value.
• Do not pay for convenience.  For example, buy whole carrots instead of pre-cut ones.  You will save yourself over a dollar depending on what store you are in.
• Focus on the perimeter of the store for most of the items on your list instead of the aisles.  The majority of fresh foods are found on the perimeter and more processed foods on the aisles.

Stay tuned for more dollar stretching tips and please share some of your own.