I admit it- the idea of spending hours in line waiting to
save $1.00 on a box of laundry detergent didn’t do it for me. I mean I am use to being a savvy shopper
simply by knowing which store brands were the best and most like the expensive
name brand ones.
But then I started talking to a friend at the gym. She explained to me she saved over half her
grocery budget by doing this insane thing called couponing.
I started to listen….
She talked about some of the deals she had gotten, and how, “She
really wasn’t that good at it. Lots of
people she knew saved more than that.”
I kept listening….
She went on about how she saved enough to figured her hourly
profit- at least $25 an hour.
Now I wanted details.
I made her repeat some of the deals she had gotten, and
asked since I cook so much of my own foods, try to stay as far away from
prepackaged meals as I can, would I still save?
She said, “yes, especially on cereal, shampoo, razors, and detergents.”
I was hooked. I
looked up all types of sites, mostly national ones and found to my surprise…everyone
was doing this. (The conversation at the
gym took place about nine months ago)
Immediately I was frustrated. I didn’t want to be “one of those woman”. I refused to build a notebook and haul around
every ad that ever came out.
So of course, I did it my way.
I found an old cosmetic organizer bag I already had and
started clipping…and printing…and headed to the store with my organized and
very precise list….
And quickly got so frustrated I left embarrassed about how I
had just acted like a spoiled brat when the store employee said they had
already been wiped out of literally everything I had on my list… (see, now I had just become one of those
OTHER woman)
I regrouped, realizing flexibility- something I was still
developing- was critical in this new adventure.
I needed to look at this as something I would get some great deals at,
but others – the really OMG ones, would likely be gone because I refused to be
one of the notebook people. I had a talk
with myself. Was I ok with not saving as
much to keep from toting the notebook and shopping everyday?
Yes, yes I was.
So I tried it again.
Only this time I went with a happy, causal –this-is –fun- attitude. It worked.
I saved about 20% on my bill- not bad and got things I would use.
Fast forward nine months.
I am still couponing, but again not to the level that some
do. Last week for instance, I was behind
a woman who had an entire cart load of food, (including the bottom) and paid $3.45. (That same day I was thrilled that I saved
$35 and my total was $66!)
So is it worth my time?
Yes. I have to grocery shop
anyway, if I can save 25%-35% or more
per trip- it’s worth it.
Could I save more?
ABSOLUTELY!! But for me, it isn’t
worth trading what my family eats for cheaper options. I still make all my own sauces, I try to make my own tortillas (I really hate
it though) and focus on eating as much real food as possible.
Having said that- I love paying almost nothing for
toothpaste and getting free or even better) toothbrushes. I get giddy when I buy razors for less than
$2 a pack. (and no not the cheap ones that make my legs look like Edward Scissor
hands helped) My husband is a body wash
boy and is very specific about the types- I stock up when they are a great
deal.
So For me Couponing has changed my
life- But I am only a D+ student at best, unwilling to put more time and sacrifice into it. I know I will never be featured on a TLC or make the TODAY show –
Best leave that to the bestselling books that are still in the works.
