I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. And I am very sorry that I missed September's Simplicity Project post. I'm sure you are all relieved to know I don't have it all together.
Last month I tackled several little projects like cleaning out my closet to see what clothing items I really need for the fall. I actually found a few dresses (no kidding, they were stuck underneath some other clothes in the corner) and within 15 minutes of finding them, I put together two really cute outfits with sweaters and shoes I already had. It's amazing what an hour of cleaning can do for your wardrobe! I also cleaned out Hope's closet and transferred her summer clothes to my consignment pile.
This month, I decided to post about couponing. You may be asking what that has to do with simplicity. If any of you participate in the coupon game, you know it can be very complicated. I kept hearing about all these women who were saving hundreds of dollars a month using coupons. Women who spend $40 a week to feed a family of four. After probing further, I realized these women spend most of their free time up to their eyeballs in coupon clippings and they typically go to a grocery store every day. I don't know about you, but I don't have time for that!
My great friend Terri (who happens to be amazing at everything she puts her hands to) told me about some great websites that have made the coupon game one that is easy to master. The women writing these blogs do all the work for you! They research store ads, coupon circulars and everything you need to know to get the best deals possible.
My favorite is www.southernsavers.com She lays out every ad for the week and then lists and links to coupons for each item on sale. Last week I got Pillsbury cookie dough for .45 and coffee that is usually $5.79 a bag for $1.59 a bag.
There are many sites out there and you really could spend all your free time playing this game. In the spirit of simplicity, I have adopted a few, simple rules that allow me to participate in the savings without spending a lot of my time.
My Rules for Effective Coupon Savings:
- Pick a store and stick with it. (I choose Publix - I love Publix)
- Pick one website that covers that store's circular. (Southern Savers covers them all)
- Go through the list of items on special and write down only the things you really need. (With Publix, I concentrate on the BOGO deals)
- The site will cross reference the store deals with newspaper and online printable coupons. Cut or print coupons for only the items you will likely buy.
- Plan to do your shopping on the same day each week so you can coordinate with in store deals.
- Stock up only on the items you know you will use within a month. (No one needs canned soup stocked up for a year - that is not simple living!)
Last week I did stock up on cereal because we eat it every day. With the BOGO deals and the coupons, I got 4 boxes for $1.25 a piece. That is a great deal for cereal! I spent $150 on groceries last week - which may not seem like a deal - but most of those groceries will last me all month. I may return to Publix once or twice this month for fresh produce and a few odds and ends.
The important thing is to find a simple couponing plan that works for you and your household. Don't become obsessed with saving. If you get too overwhelmed, you may be saving money, but it will cost you your mind.
2 comments:
This is great! I feel the same way you do about this. I love to save money but my time is very valuable so I do this simplistically as well.
One thing I can recommend is The Couponizer. It's a great tool to organize your coupons and it has saved me so much time in staying organized with coupons. www.couponizer.com It's $20 but a great investment.
Great post! I have been researching sites and trying to master the coupon game, but I just don't have the time that these other women seem to have to devote to saving every penny. I love Publix BOGO too! I shop that area first every time. The site you posted was a new one for me - I am going to check that out too. My problem is that I am also trying to go as natural as possible, and most of the savings that are out there are for processed foods and things I try not to keep in the house. However, I am not totally there yet! I still enjoy a good savings here and there on some of these things ;-) It's a process :-)
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