[Hotspring]

Once you figured out the whole couponing dynamic, how did it affect you? Financially...sure, but how else?

For me, it has improved my communication skills and my patience.

Just this week my sister went to WM and had a car battery installed. She made it out of the parking lot before the car started to accelerate itself down the road. It was scary..especially since she had her three small children with her. Anyway, she was going to have the car towed and get her husband look at it. I encouraged her to go back to WM and have a chat with them. We were reluctant, but I coached her through the process and after few hours...they assumed responsibility and paid for the repair. The total repair cost was $265. Talk about savings!

There is no way I would have been able to do that without God allowing various learning experiences via couponing. Pretty cool!

[Mommy2One]

It's actually given me something to do, apart from take care of my 2 children and husband, I'm not a die-hard couponer (yet!) but get a real thrill watching my household grocery bills go down, it's given me a sense of pride to know that though I cannot reduce my husbands 12 hour shifts, nor bring any money into the house via an income, i can reduce the bills quite a bit with my couponing. It's made me feel a whole lot better about myself, knowing I contribute something to the finances in our home. It's given me a great boost!

[blessedgirl]

As a christian, you get really good practice to walk in love toward everyone!!! LOL!!!

[steffus]

It has helped my monthly budget tremendously. I was going through my bank account today and I thought, "Why do I have so much money?" (It was a NICE feeling, but strange). It's because I'm spending about 1/2 what I used to spend on groceries! Amazing!

[steffus]

And I guess I should say that's given me a secure feeling. I feel confident that I can live on less and that is VERY reassuring in the world today!

[catlover7731]

My mom used coupons so I did to for 16 yrs , but had no idea that I could use it like I do today, now I have an abundance of things I was always running out of. Sometimes I feel a little crazy doing it and since I started working again this past month I feel a little lost, because I don't have the time to sort my coupons.

[MichiganMan]

I donate a ton of stuff to various organizations (far more than what I talk about in the CVS Charity Challenge). While I have tried to be generous all my life, I've really been able to take it to another level with couponing.

And as my two DS's have gotten older, I've been able to include them in a lot of the things I do ... both shopping (learning the value of a dollar) and giving (teaching the importance of stewardship and giving back). It's safe to say that these things would not be nearly as visible to them, were it not for couponing. Good stuff all around.

[mary13]

i always made " coupon bags" as gifts for my siblings at Christmas using the items i got on sale during the year. However,my couponing has risen to such a level that they get a bag for Birthday,graduation.other holidays .etc. i also will drop off on there step items that i think they may need such as TP,water,shampoo,etc.I makes me happy to give while spending very little money to give. I also donate a box or two of personnal items to various groups such a women's home,VA .etc. I once gave a Walgreens green bag(.33filler item ) to a friend filled with Walgreen RR items and my son said to the friend " My mom stole these from Walgreens') I did pay but not much. Thanks for all advice on AFC. I have used all the info well

[stefani1]

It has made me "cheap"! Well, you know what I mean. I now know that I can get most things for so cheap that I CAN'T spend the full amount on most things unless I HAVE TO HAVE IT AND IT'S AN EMERGENCY!! I hate it and love it all in one. I find myself saying - no way - it's $7.00 that's CRAZY!!! People look at me like um.... it's only $7.00. I say - I've gotten that for free before so i just can't stomach spending that much!

It's also allowed us to eat things that in our financial situation we would normally not be eating! My husband get's the most up to date body wash, razors etc and so do myself and the kids! I wouldn't be able to do all that without this.

So all in all, I think it's made me appreciate the things I have and can get more! I work hard for the stuff I have and am so thankful that I found these sites to help me!

[foodie]

Use your grocery coupon skills for shopping for other items. For example, I drive a Ford Excursion (when I have all the kids) and smaller car when I am by myself. Anyway at my local Ford dealer they price matched tires for my SUV(s) and I spent only $600 instead of $1200 (Ford's price). They price match all items unless it is a "special deal".

We do this for all purchases and things we buy. Most businesses and retailers will do this.

Foodie

[tratra]

Originally Posted by MichiganMan

I donate a ton of stuff to various organizations (far more than what I talk about in the CVS Charity Challenge). While I have tried to be generous all my life, I've really been able to take it to another level with couponing.

This has been the primary benefit for me. I've always tried to give back but could never have done so much with so little before couponing. This is the reason I will go to get deals even if I'm feeling lazy and wanting to avoid the long trip into town. There's always somebody out there who could benefit from that minor inconvenience, and getting the help might help to change their lives, if even just a bit.


Another thing has been to give me peace of mind. We had a house fire 3 weeks ago. What has been an overwhelming and expensive experience has been made so much easier because of the stockpile I had (and the knowledge I've gained from sites like this that assured me that there would still be more deals later!) We had the help of a large family for the first 2 weekends. I had food and drinks for them without having to make multiple trips to the store. I only had to buy stuff for one meal-- when I was still not sure what was ruined and what wasn't. That never would have been the case before I started couponing. We would have ordered pizzas or got barbeque and spent a mint.
I had cleaners and paper towels stockpiled. And shampoo and soap for the repeated showers to get the soot off. And so much more that I'm not remembering now.

Nice thread.

[naturallysassy]

I think it has done something for my confidence. I'm pretty sure of myself most of the time, but being able to browse the store with a really yellow binder full of coupons (), then stand there when the cashier is scanning on my coupons while some people give me the "uglies" in line behind me.

I wouldn't have done any of this years ago. Now, I get upset if I don't have a coupon for something.

[cjpuppy]

I have been able to drop off a cartful of groceries and hba items about every 6 weeks to my local food pantries. This makes me feel good.

On the downside, I have gained approximately 20 pounds myself and my dog, 9 pounds! I buy (and eat!) things that in the past I did not buy. And so many free doggie treats.......

Four months ago the vet said the dog should lose weight - so far by eliminating all the extras she has lost 3 1/2 pounds. Me on the other hand I have not lost any, but have not gained any either.

And I have only been couponing about a year and a half. If this keeps up I will have to quit!!!!

[courtne21]

I think I've become much more thoughtful about my purchases- I think before I spend. (Usually "Do I have a coupon for that??"

I plan my trips and meals around sales and coupons.

[Hotspring]

[quote=stefani1;3026511]It has made me "cheap"! Well, you know what I mean. I now know that I can get most things for so cheap that I CAN'T spend the full amount on most things unless I HAVE TO HAVE IT AND IT'S AN EMERGENCY!! I hate it and love it all in one.QUOTE]

Hah, me too!! I find myself making do with what I have and/or going without before I spend full price. My family members usually are there to pull me out of my obsessiveness by explaining that everything is going to be ok and they will still love me if I pay retail. That's so sad, huh?

[shellie_wnj]

I have done a lot of what you all have said already... I have become more confident, I have been able to donate, I have become more aware of what I spend, I have lowered my budget and been able to eat better. And I have gained Sticker Shock! LOL

I had to go to the outlets yesterday to pick up a few things, and my hubby asked me to look at a pair of sneakers for him. I just about passed out when I saw the price. I will definately have to find them on sale or find a coupon or SOMETHING. The funny thing... they are only $40 sneakers! LOL But to me, $40 is a LOT of money. I know he needs them, but I am SURE I can find a better price!

[MarlaBee]

It's made me look at a quarter in a much different way... "That's not just 25 cents, that's a bag of toiletries at CVS!"

[phoenixjean1]

Originally Posted by shellie_wnj

I have done a lot of what you all have said already... I have become more confident, I have been able to donate, I have become more aware of what I spend, I have lowered my budget and been able to eat better. And I have gained Sticker Shock! LOL

I had to go to the outlets yesterday to pick up a few things, and my hubby asked me to look at a pair of sneakers for him. I just about passed out when I saw the price. I will definately have to find them on sale or find a coupon or SOMETHING. The funny thing... they are only $40 sneakers! LOL But to me, $40 is a LOT of money. I know he needs them, but I am SURE I can find a better price!

I always use coupons when I buy new shoes! Brand name too! Usually, Reebok and Adidas will have coupons online. But when there isn't a coupon, my triple A discount gets me 20% off the whole purchase. Even on sale and clearance items.

After couponing, I can't pay full price for anything. It has to be on sale, on clearance, or I have to have a coupon-even for going out to eat, buying new clothes, or even for the moving truck.

[michellzey]

I'm more appreciative of the good cashiers! And I'm also a lot more willing to stand up for myself (after having difficulty getting good deals off and on for the past year!). I also now am much more aware of what's a good deal/price and what's not...

[sneakycatxo]

We have had $$ left in our checking ON payday from the previous week. That has never happened. Plus we have a savings account.
It is sooo nice to NOT run out of stuff. We have used tissues for toilet paper before, ran out of dishwasher soap and had to wash every dish in the house by hand etc. That stuff doesn't happen anymore.
Plus we have stuff we never bought like... HAND SOAP! I know it sounds silly but we just used the dish soap in the kitchen or the bar soap in the bathroom. Makes me feel fancy to have hand soap at every sink

And I also love to give, makes me feel like I am really doing something when we have all we need and then I have been trying to cover family members and I also try to give to a local lady who does wonderful charity work (she is always finding someone who needs something. mostly local family who are having a hard time or have had something tragic happen.. fire etc)

[babybleueyes1017]

Using coupons has given me the opportunity to get my family the "nicer" quality products. Before I found all of you wonderful people, it was store brand all the way. DH used to get so angry that I wouldn't buy name brand. Now, I have a happy hubby and he loves that I get so much for free/really cheap.
It has also given me a new found closeness with my sister. She is my "wingwoman" She goes with me on almost every trip. We have so much fun. She will call me and ask what deals we are going to do this week and is super sad when there aren't any big ones.
It is also teaching my girls the value of a dollar. I have been trying to drill this into dd12 since she was little. She now gets really excited and brags to everyone what good deals we get. She also LOVES consignment shopping with me twice a year.
We also have money left over on payday now. It is comforting to know that I can go out and buy a new outfit for the kids and not have to worry about where I'm going to cut back
Thanks thanks thanks to everyone on here for posting their deals and teaching me how to do this!!

[Gloriaob]

I am much more considerate of cashiers now that I know what they go through and when they have a problem I just tell them to never mind, I will take my coupon to customer service. Helps the cashier and the people waiting behind me.
On the other hand, it has made me more scornful of relatives that don't have money and refuse to learn how to coupon, but, oh, they will take my stuff :P

[jlmagoon]

Usually I'm a very disorganized person. My husband hates this about me. When it comes to my coupons, I cut them out and sort them in my binder alphabetically.

[junebug0720]

I enjoy the money I save and so does my hubby. I also donate a lot of my overages to the local food bank.

[witeout1]

Couponing has taught me to appreciate my fellow budget shoppers, managers, stores, product companies, and especially cashiers.