Okay! I just need to breath! Okay, not helping....chocolate! That's what I need chocolate! It settles the nerves and makes you think clearer! Right?! Work with me here people!!
I am a little overwhelmed with finding the sales to match the coupons AND trying to come up with a menu plan to fit the coupons that are for the items on sale! Ugh! I dare you to say that 3 times fast!
Alright! Alright! I am a little bit of a drama queen! It is becoming clearer with each bite of chocolate I take!
After reading a lot of blogs from women that clip and use coupons...I have discovered some things that I am doing wrong!
1. Using coupons for items that are not on sale. Yes, you save money, but imagine how much more money you would save if you waited for that item to go on sale.
2. Throwing out coupons that I think that I would never use because the price is higher than what I normally buy...even with the coupon! This one goes back to waiting for the items to go on sale. (Something I never paid attention to before!) Usually stores will wait a couple of weeks after the coupon has come out before that item goes on sale. Thus, you wait!
3. Throwing away expired coupons. Military families can still use these coupons! I believe it goes 3 months after they expire, they can still use them. My fellow blogger "Happy Housewife" alerted me to this! Her website is on my favorites!
4. Don't just use coupons because you have them. If the item with the coupon and on sale is still higher than what you pay for another brand, why would you use it?!
5. Okay, currently, I have 5 tubes of toothpaste stockpiled. Now I know what you are thinking....a bit wasteful for someone who says they want to save money. First, we will ALWAYS use toothpaste! Second, I don't think I paid over $.75 for each tube (thanks to CVS!). Third, think outside of your household. Christmas is coming...we do shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan's Purse. Also, items like toothbrushes, razors (Trent loved getting those in his stocking!), deodorant, body lotions, chapsticks and face cleansers (for the older children, of course!) can be wonderful stocking stuffers. Then there are the shelters that could always use these items. So, if you can get something for free or practically free...think about sharing outside your household!
6. STICK TO YOUR BUDGET! Don't go over your set budget just to get a "Deal"! Very hard for me to do. But, how wise is it to spend money on something you could really do without just for the sake of getting a deal?
I'm sure there are other wise and helpful tips out there. If you have them, please share! The more knowledge we have, the more power!
Now...I guess I will get back to my sale searching, coupon clipping and menu planning. After another piece of chocolate...or two!!
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