The New Year is just a couple days away. And with the turning of the calendar to 2012 come resolutions. Many people will resolve to save more money, to be more frugal, and to start couponing. I’m collecting couponing stories to share in January to encourage and inspire people who want to take the couponing plunge, but need just a little convincing or inspiration. Will you share your story?
My couponing story goes a little something like this:Ā
I’ve always been frugal and always tried to stretch $0.50 cents into $1. But it wasn’t until I quit my great job with the state to be a stay-at-home mom that I really needed to make my budget stretch in ways we weren’t even sure were possible. When I quit my job, our budget shrunk by 60%. Take $100 each month and now we have $40. How do you make that work? We cut all possible corners and then we started cutting coupons – and they were the answer for us! Another baby later and I’m still able to stay home, thanks to couponing, meal planning and frugal choices.
What does couponing mean to you? Will you share it with me – so I can share it with others here on the blog? It doesn’t have to be profound or perfect – just your story. Share your favorite tips or things that helped you the most when you were just starting out.Ā Please email me at thehive@queenbeetoday.com with the subject line Coupon Testimonial. And watch for the coupon stories and testimonials starting January 1!
My hope is that just one person will be encouraged to start couponing or one person will be able to put meals on their table without paying full price. We can build each other up and inspire each other – and I’m hoping that’s what this series does.
Thank you for for participating!
Staci Kelcher says
The Other Joy of Couponing
Many of us use coupons and look for ways to save money to benefit our families. This is great, but there is an even bigger reward. The other joy of couponing is the ability to donate items to those in need. I cannot explain the overwhelming warmth in my heart as I read this email sent to our group (The Savvy Simple Savers):
“I just wanted to say thank you to you and to all of the others that help and donate to the food bank š My boys and I use the food bank and although it is hard for me to go to it is also a relief to have. If not for the support of kind people like all of you my boys would be eating some pretty plain skimpy meals but instead we get to eat all sorts of things and even try new things. Thanks so much :)” ~anonymous
This email brought me tears of joy and reminded me that although we may not know the families in need, Savvy Simple Savers has an amazing opportunity to support families in our local community and together we can make a difference.
Betsey Lemes says
Couponing has become a fun & challenging hobby to me in the last 7 months and I’m slowly getting better at it, though I’m not that efficient yet.
My husband and I both work and we have a 12 year old daughter so things are generally not that tight but I don’t see any reason to overpay for anything. We went on our first vacation together this year and I’d much rather save some money to do fun stuff like that, than just settle for regular prices. In the last 6 months, our family has decided to face a challenge in that, my husband is attempting to adopt our daughter (not his biologically) and it’s proven to be much more difficult and costly than expected. I’m looking to reduce many areas of our budget but grocery is a big one. I guess I’ve been preparing for this for the last 7 months and now, it’s time to really start buckling down. Couponing is one way that we’re going to get through this adoption without going into debt (I hope and pray)
In the new year, I hope to become even more frugal and efficient in my couponing. What fun!
Rachel says
What does couponing mean to me?
Couponing to me is helping my family have more opportunities to spend quality time together. I have used coupons over the years here and there. It wasn’t until 3 months ago that I really got into it. Over the last three months I have been able to stock up on food and personal items which has allowed my family to have more spending money for Christmas, fun family outings, and pay off some bills. My hope for the new year is to save even more and pay a lot more of our debt off. One of my favorite moments is when my extended family members can come over and shop my stockpile. It is such a blessing to be able to help others that way. š
Susan Brooks says
My proud moment, has developed from my couponing and sale shopping. My son who is 19 proudly told me about the great deals he was able to get while Chrismas shopping, “and then they had a $10 off coupon at the door so I used it twice, and they were already on sale so I go one for free!” He gets it! So glad to hear him starting at a young age, it will stand him well for the future!
Leona says
I can remember using coupons w/ my brother when growing up. He did most of the grocery shopping. We could look at the ads and pull coupons for items we needes. But I never knew the ins and outs of how to utilize coupons to get the best deals. I thought “wow I saved $5”, but now I can look at my receipt and say I saved 40%, 50%, or more. I am a stay at home mom that wants to make sure that my family eats healthy foods and less processed foods. Couponing has allowed that to happen for less money than I was previously spending. I spend as much now to feed a family of 4 as my brother did twenty years ago. (When you could get milk for $1 a gallon). Saving money has always been a lifestyle for me, but now with only 1 income it is a neccesity and a blessing. I pray that I can improve my savings to be able to pass the blessings on this coming year.
Debbie says
Our income fell by 80%. As a self-employeed family there isn’t any ‘government’ help for us. With our daughter starting college last year (thankfully I’ve saved all her life for that!)it’s been really difficult. I have always had a small stock pile thanks to the Carter recession but it was really small. My family grumbled about the lack of food but we were still eating from that stock pile. When it was almost gone with no increase in our income, I began to look at coupons as money.
I’ve been couponing since May 2011. My stock pile has grown to 6 times what I had before and I’ve been able to send to treats for troops and our local shelters. This next year I hope to use my coupon savings to pay off bills.
Couponing has helped me and my family over come depression and a feeling of hopelessness as our country continues to struggle with what should probably be called a depression. I will continue to coupon for the rest of my life. I feel so stupid to not have seen this before. Thankfully my daughter has learned along with me and will benifit in her adult life!
Long hard learning curve but sooooo worth it. I remind myself you can’t get every deal. Be kind to yourself while you’re learning.
Coupon-Smart says
Couponing is such a fun and economical hobby! I’ve been couponing for about 10 years and absolutely love it! You can save a great deal of money as well.
Darci Eastbury says
I never looked twice at a coupon..Wasn’t til I found myself unemployed and only had a little to get me thru the month..So my girlfriend and I starting couponing…Now I can make a buck stretch.These days you have too..But what I enjoy the most about couponing is I’m able to help out the less fortunate. I’m able to get stuff for pennies on a dollar if not free and I donate it..From buying animal food for the local animal shelters or food for the food bank to even getting personal item to donate to churches and homeless shelters..I find myself doing more for others than myself..That’s what couponing has done for me..