This is a big mindset that took me a little bit to get used to. When I use coupons, my goal is NOT to save money. My goal is to NOT SPEND money.
Do you see the difference between the two? When we save money, we are still spending money. When we don’t spend money, there is still money in our pockets.
It’s a hard distinction. But here’s an example. Say there are two bottles of Mr. Clean for sale. You have a coupon for $1.50 off of 1 bottle (no size limit). The first bottle is 30 oz and costs $2.50. If you use the coupon on this bottle you will only spend $1.00. The second bottle of Mr. Clean is 8 oz and costs $1.75. If you use the coupon on this bottle you will only spend $.25. Which bottle should you buy? Now, both are a good deal. In both cases you come out ahead. But, the purpose of couponing is to spend less and if possible nothing. So, I would recommend buying the .25 item. You only pay a quarter, and you still have the extra .75 in your pocket for future purchases.
I am able to get free toothpaste, dish soap, hand soap, toothbrushes, and deodorant. Free. I don’t pay a penny for any of those items. If it cost me a dollar for every time I had one of those items, I would have paid a few hundred dollars a year. Now, the deodorant and dish soap may be the smallest size possible, but that’s ok. I got it for free, it’ll last me for a little bit, and I still have my money.
The great thing about couponing to remember is that those coupons will probably come back around in a few months. So, you can buy those items again (for free), and not have to pay again until the next sale.
A quick disclaimer about savings: Most people don’t save 75%-100% on their bills, most start by saving 40%-60% on their bills. Don’t try to be an extreme couponer, don’t compare yourself with them. Don’t compare with the thrifty guru or his friends. Compare with yourself, look at where you started and see where you’ve gone. Remember, savings will vary from person to person depending on the family, and the resources they need/have.
Also, remember if you don’t use an item don’t buy it UNLESS you can get it for free (and in that case donate it right away), or unless you only have to spend a little bit of change and then again you have a place to donate the item. Try not to be a hoarder/cluterer, and try to be conscientious of others when finding good deals on items.
I understand your concept of not spending money. In our family, we have a saying, “Don’t go broke saving money.” Hoarding is a problem in our society- get more, get bigger, find a place for it. I appreciate the thoughts you have expressed about the distinction between “Saving Money” and “Not Spending Money” In this day and age (tongue in cheek humor), the marketing of a product is the most important thing for companies… “New and Improved Formula”, “Best Value”, “Get it at this price for a Limited Time” . The reason I said tongue in cheek humor above is because I can see the pedlars of yesteryear using the very same lines to the frontiersmen. My motto now is, “Get what you need and use what you get.” Anything free that we don’t use goes into the donation box which is emptied within a reasonable time. Sometimes it goes to soldiers oversees, sometimes to our favorite children’s home, sometimes to fundraising raffles. It doesn’t matter as long as it doesn’t weigh us down with “Stuff” Thank you for your wisdom and for your ideas and tips.
Thanks Jen for your comment. I totally agree. Sometimes it’s easy to spend soo much trying to “save” or trying to “keep up with the Jones”.
I’ve been working on becoming a minimalist (work in progress) but my couponing friends and I are starting to give extra items that we got for free or inexpensive to different charities.
Do you know of any charities that are good stewards that we could donate to? Also, do you have any addresses for overseas donations for the military?
Get what you need and use what you get… I love it!