Thanks for continuing this journey of intentionally thinking through and beginning to change your habits so that you can reduce debt. Today’s tip might seem a little overwhelming at first, but hang with me because it can change your spending and create extra income in your pocket to help pay off debt.
Day 16: Use Coupons
So let’s be honest, when most people use coupons they think of the crazy wide eyed lady with a binder careening her cart into every aisle. Or the guy who dumpster dives to get as many inserts as possible. Or perhaps you have recently heard of this phenomenon.
Probably the biggest excuses I get when I talk to people about coupons and teach coupon classes are:
- I don’t have enough time to clip coupons.
- You really only save $0.50 here and there.
- You actually end up spending more money.
- There are no coupons for organic products and we only shop organic.
- I never remember to bring coupons with me.
Most of these excuses I can easily rebuff. But some of them might have validity. Here are my short and sweet answers to those questions.
- Time: I multi-task when I coupon. So usually I’m watching TV or a movie while I’m clipping. And I do things in manageable 30 minute blocks so my legs don’t fall asleep while I’m sitting on the floor. I estimate I spend a maximum of 1.5 hours per week couponing (WHILE watching my favorite shows on tv). What are you doing during those commercial breaks anyway?! Think of it as getting paid to watch tv.
- True Savings: So what if you only save $0.50? Isn’t that still $0.50? The average American millionaire uses coupons. I am thinking they might know something that someone who doesn’t have a million bucks. I consider myself to be an “average” couponer (I’m not extreme by any means) and I easily take at least $10 off our bill on a weekly basis by using coupons, my bottom number. Most weeks, it’s $25 and it has been as much as $55 (and no, I don’t spend a ton to take that much off. I stick to a pretty strict budget and am very particular about what we buy.).
- Spending More $?: Coupons can be enticing and cause you to spend extra money if you don’t have a budget or a plan. They are incentives to get you to spend money in stores on specific products. You definitely have to ask yourself whether or not you’d purchase a product (or a number of products) if you didn’t have a coupon(s). Stuff on sale is still stuff (even if it’s free) and you need to have a plan. NOW, all of that said, you can successful coupon and spend less.
- Organic. Au contraire mon frere. I have plenty of Organic coupons linked here. You might spend more than people who don’t buy organic and coupon; however, if organic is something you’ve committed to for your family you can save money.
- Forgetting Coupons: I always suggest programs like mPerks and Cellfire for those who forget coupons. That way, you always have them with you. There are many systems of organization and you need to find what works for you. Yes, I am one of those binder ladies but you might be a coupon box fella, a digital gal, or someone who works the stacks. Don’t force a system that doesn’t work. You won’t be successful.
- Get Back on the Horse: You will forget coupons, you will let them expire, you will miss a deal, you will forget to buy the paper. But the great thing about coupons is that you can always try again. Even if it’s been weeks, even if it’s been years.
I do teach both private and public coupon classes. So if your group or organization is interested in learning more, please contact me. We have a great time and it’s affordable and you’ll come out learning a thing or two (I always do!).
*This post does contain an affiliate link. So while you’re printing coupons to save, you’re also helping the Royal Family pay off debt more quickly. And for that, we royally thank you.
