I thought this would be the perfect series to kick-off my new blog on frugal living, coupons, and deals!! You’re probably wondering if it is really true. Did I really lose thousands of dollars? Well, in a sense, yes. Before coupons, I shopped pretty frugally (I thought), but I didn’t put much effort into it. I leafed through the sale ads, jotted down a few things, went shopping, picked-up whatever I thought looked good and decently cheap, and didn’t think too much about it.
Once I began to use coupons, I learned how to combine three elements (more about those later) to cut my grocery budget in half (and sometimes more). So, yes. I do believe over the course of my adult life I’ve lost thousands of dollars. And all because I had some incorrect assumptions about coupons!
Here’s what I believed:
1) I believed coupons were a waste of time.
After watching the girls all day, cooking, cleaning, volunteering, and other activities, I thought I had no time for clipping a bunch of little coupons to save a few cents at the grocery store.
2) I believed coupons were only for stuff I didn’t need (or want).
Why in the world would I want to feed my family all of that junk? Coupons are only for processed food, right?!!
3) I believed generics were cheaper than buying with coupons.
Whenever I clipped a coupon and went to buy the item, it was still more expensive than the generic version. I didn’t believe you could find brand name items cheaper than store brands.
I’m interested to know where you are with coupons? Do you hold any of these beliefs? Over the next few weeks, I’ll be debunking these myths in the rest of this series: How I Lost Thousands of Dollars (or Coupon Myths I believed.)
Katelin says
January 17 at 2:53 pmI definitely hold a few of these beliefs. Like “Coupons are always for things I don’t need.” I am ready to learn the art of couponing!!!
Stacie says
January 17 at 2:58 pmI know! Especially when you are doing lots of organic/natural stuff, it seems like you don’t have any use for coupons — it all depends, I guess, on what stuff you buy. I don’t know if you buy anything unorganic? Anyway, there are more and more coupons out for organic products. I know several of the stores in Wichita will take them, but I’m not sure about here!
Katelin says
January 17 at 2:53 pmI definitely hold a few of these beliefs. Like “Coupons are always for things I don’t need.” I am ready to learn the art of couponing!!!
Stacie says
January 17 at 2:58 pmI know! Especially when you are doing lots of organic/natural stuff, it seems like you don’t have any use for coupons — it all depends, I guess, on what stuff you buy. I don’t know if you buy anything unorganic? Anyway, there are more and more coupons out for organic products. I know several of the stores in Wichita will take them, but I’m not sure about here!
Stacy says
January 17 at 9:02 pmI have/ had these same thoughts. Reading your blog has opened my eye and I can see it more now. I still have a lot to figure out to do and make the time too.
Stacy says
January 17 at 9:02 pmI have/ had these same thoughts. Reading your blog has opened my eye and I can see it more now. I still have a lot to figure out to do and make the time too.