One of the comments I over hear when I'm shopping is, "I don't have time to do that." It's usually because a husband sees me with my cart, binder, calculator, notepad, pen, and coupons and prods at their wife saying, "you should do that." If I could get a nickle for every time I've heard it, I'd be rich. And it takes a lot out of me to hold my tongue. I'm sure that his wife is thinking that I'm a SAHM that has no job and all the time in the world to coupon. There have been many instances where I just want to turn around and tell them, "MAKE the time, it's worth every penny. I have a full time job, rep for multiple companies, teach coupon classes, and essential oil informative sessions!"
I have learned to let their comments and judgements about who they SEE go. It's not who I am. I personally feel that they're "haters" and wish they could do what I do and just don't know or how to do it. So, instead of harboring negativity about it, I turn around and tell them, "I am a coupon instructor. If you would like to learn how I manage to do this, with a full time job, and four part time jobs with three kids, I'd love to show you! By the way, see that bag of rice, I'm getting that for free today. Everything in my wagon you see will total up to about $200 so far."
That usually shuts them up fast and they almost always ask me for a card. OR, they give me the fake smile and say, "oh wow thats great" and walk away." It doesn't bother me. While they shop and pay $300 for their goods, I'll pay $200 and go home happy and with a heavier wallet than most.
I always get asked, "Where do you find the time to coupon?". Just like any other appointment you make for yourself, you set it aside. Sunday mornings, before breakfast, I get up, pull my ads and inserts, clip and file. At breakfast or later in the day, I"ll read the ads and find any coupons to match them with. How long does it take me to clip? Less than an hour depending on how many inserts we get that week. How long does it take me to match ads? Maybe another 30 minutes or so. Why so quick? Because I've already built my stock pile and am only looking for items we need to replenish or produce/meats on sale at local stores.
My motto: SPEND AN HOUR and SAVE HUNDREDS
If I could tally up my savings using coupons for 2013 it would be at least $3000, at the very very least. I don't shop only at one store. I shop wherever it's cheapest and nearby. When the price is hot, I stock up. I don't shop for convenience, I shop for price.
This characteristic I posses does not only apply to groceries. It applies to everything. Catching the bus to and from work saves me over $3000 in gas and maintenance on my car annually. Doing my own hair saves me at least $500 a year. Pampering myself with a mani pedi just twice a year, saves me over $500. Not wearing a lot of makeup saves me well over $500 a year too. I'm cheap, what can I say.
When I shop for clothes it's usually online (saves time and gas), and I'm using coupon codes, taking advantage of free shipping, and shopping off the clearance/closeout section of the site. If I need office supplies, I use my best buy rewards to get them for free. Ink, paper, staples, pens, etc. How do I get them for free? I use my card for my bills and pay it off at before the of the month and earn rewards points for using the card. No interest, no sweat off my back.
I purchased my macbook utilizing the NEX's price matching policy and a scratch card for additional savings. When our family decides to eat out, we use coupons. Once you realize the value of coupons and frugality, it's very difficult to pay full price for ANYTHING!
We may not have a mansion, fancy cars, or fancy clothes. But we're happy. And that's all that matters!
I have learned to let their comments and judgements about who they SEE go. It's not who I am. I personally feel that they're "haters" and wish they could do what I do and just don't know or how to do it. So, instead of harboring negativity about it, I turn around and tell them, "I am a coupon instructor. If you would like to learn how I manage to do this, with a full time job, and four part time jobs with three kids, I'd love to show you! By the way, see that bag of rice, I'm getting that for free today. Everything in my wagon you see will total up to about $200 so far."
That usually shuts them up fast and they almost always ask me for a card. OR, they give me the fake smile and say, "oh wow thats great" and walk away." It doesn't bother me. While they shop and pay $300 for their goods, I'll pay $200 and go home happy and with a heavier wallet than most.
I always get asked, "Where do you find the time to coupon?". Just like any other appointment you make for yourself, you set it aside. Sunday mornings, before breakfast, I get up, pull my ads and inserts, clip and file. At breakfast or later in the day, I"ll read the ads and find any coupons to match them with. How long does it take me to clip? Less than an hour depending on how many inserts we get that week. How long does it take me to match ads? Maybe another 30 minutes or so. Why so quick? Because I've already built my stock pile and am only looking for items we need to replenish or produce/meats on sale at local stores.
My motto: SPEND AN HOUR and SAVE HUNDREDS
If I could tally up my savings using coupons for 2013 it would be at least $3000, at the very very least. I don't shop only at one store. I shop wherever it's cheapest and nearby. When the price is hot, I stock up. I don't shop for convenience, I shop for price.
This characteristic I posses does not only apply to groceries. It applies to everything. Catching the bus to and from work saves me over $3000 in gas and maintenance on my car annually. Doing my own hair saves me at least $500 a year. Pampering myself with a mani pedi just twice a year, saves me over $500. Not wearing a lot of makeup saves me well over $500 a year too. I'm cheap, what can I say.
When I shop for clothes it's usually online (saves time and gas), and I'm using coupon codes, taking advantage of free shipping, and shopping off the clearance/closeout section of the site. If I need office supplies, I use my best buy rewards to get them for free. Ink, paper, staples, pens, etc. How do I get them for free? I use my card for my bills and pay it off at before the of the month and earn rewards points for using the card. No interest, no sweat off my back.
I purchased my macbook utilizing the NEX's price matching policy and a scratch card for additional savings. When our family decides to eat out, we use coupons. Once you realize the value of coupons and frugality, it's very difficult to pay full price for ANYTHING!
We may not have a mansion, fancy cars, or fancy clothes. But we're happy. And that's all that matters!
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