[joyfulmom4]

Good suggestion. I have not been clipping all the coupons but then I realize that maybe I should have. I don't want to get caught up in buying a bunch of junk I don't need. But then I realized that if I can get something for free, or almost free, and someone else can use it, well then it would be great to pick it up. Our church collects food items for a local food pantry and also collects toiletries for their jail ministry. They put together baskets of necessities that they give to people when they are helping them transition back to the "outside" world. I was thinking how my dh didn't need any more shave cream or razors and we have enough toothpaste already to last for months. But then I realized that those things could go into the baskets to help out people at the food pantry and at the jail ministry. And all it costs me is the effort. How can I pass that up.

I am really inspired by the people here. I am learning great ideas and am blown away by how clever and resourseful you all are. I am also blown away by how generous so many people are with the items they receive. Somewhere this week I read about someone who got two blood sugar monitors free and was donating them. That is SO cool. So many people with health problems like diabetes have limited incomes and their health needs can get put on the back burner while they're trying to pay for basic necessities or their families needs. These donations are a huge blessing to the recipients! I'm inspired to add this as a goal for my couponing.