This Financial Decluttering stuff is legit. Mary found $50 in her car console. Many of you started putting reusable water bottles in the refrigerator door to transform your finances and your health. Gift cards, cash, and more were found in wallets. And people are breathing easier taking down the number of socks in their drawers. Today, we’re moving on to the next challenge!
Each of the assignments should only take 10-15 minutes and you’ve only missed assignments to Clean Out Your Wallet, Clean Out Your Refrigerator Door, Clean Out Your Car Console, and Clean Out Your Sock Drawer.
Just a reminder, don’t forget to join the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group of over 1000 people for ideas and encouragement. You’ll love the photos of the clean wallets, clean refrigerator doors, and car consoles.
Now, on to the challenge!
Day 5: Organize Your Coupons
Let’s get this straight. Coupons should be used whenever possible. But you don’t have to be extreme about things. However, you do need a clear system.
Why It Matters:
I’ve spent a number of years couponing. For at least the last decade, I’ve clipped, searched, scanned, printed, and more. There are a number of platforms and organizational choices. In fact, I teach a two hour course on couponing (reach out if you’re interested in scheduling one for your group or organization. Unfortunately, I cannot do one on one sessions). Even that’s not enough time for me to explain it all.
If you want to make the most of your finances, you should take every opportunity possible to save each penny. Coupons can be an effective tool in your tool belt. However, you also need to acknowledge that coupons are marketing tools. After all, companies don’t want to be your friend, they want to hook you as a consumer so you routinely purchase their products. Your job is to navigate the minefield of overspending and make the most of opportunity.
You need a system to organize the coupons you do have. Whether you sort yours into a binder, store them in your purse or bag, keep them in a basket, or keep a file folder, your system needs to be sustainable.
It’s OK if you’ve failed with coupons in the past. It’s time to clean out what you have and begin again. After all, this process is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll make mistakes, for sure. However, the important point is to return to your money saving ways.
How to Do It:
- Locate all the coupons in your home.
- Gather them together on the table.
- Sort through the coupons and remove those that have expired.
- Also pitch those you know you won’t use – for products you’re unlikely to ever buy.
- Organize your coupons in a binder or basket.
- Be sure to place those expiring soonest in a visible location.
- When you’re finished, take a photo and post it to the challenge post in the Financial Decluttering Group. We’ll celebrate your victory. And/or post on Instagram with the #FinancialDecluttering Hashtag.
- You’ll get bonus points and virtual fist bumps for interesting discoveries (although keep it P.G., mmmkay?).
How to Keep It That Way:
Coupons require at least a monthly check in. Set a reminder on your phone or mark your calendar to return to your coupons again in a month. And if you’re interested in learning more about coupons check out the following posts:
- 31 Debt Free Missions: Organize Coupons
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: LEARN TO COUPON
- 25 Restaurant Apps That Give You Free Food
- The Grocery Store Apps You NEED on Your Phone!
And don’t forget you can print Coupons from the tab at the top of site anytime at all!
I can’t wait to see all we achieve together this month. I’ll continue sharing my own journey in the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group and via e-mails. Be sure you subscribe for both.
Leave your coupon victories and tips in the comments! Help all of us be better managers of what we have.
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage is now available! Be sure to check out videos on managing money together on Facebook.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
[…] Clean Out Your Refrigerator Door, Clean Out Your Car Console, Clean Out Your Sock Drawer, Organize Your Coupons, Clean Out Kids’ Backpacks, Clean Out Your Purse or Bag, Clean Out ONE Pantry […]