[cmaibauer]

Just curious where everyone puts their savings from coupons? Say if you are using Q's and want to apply the savings towards something else you want (say, a Vitamix blender ), do you move the money saved somewhere else so as not to spend it? On a side note, all of the items we seem to want never have sales or Q's such as the Vitamix or Weber Grills. Grrr.

[siriradha]

I don't put savings aside for anything in particular. We have a budgeted amount for savings that is directly deposited in our savings accounts. When we want to buy something special, we can usually just pay for it out of our checking account. If it is a major purchase, we can take it out of one of our savings accounts. When the savings account gets high enough, we buy a CD so that we can earn a little higher interest on that savings. I just look at my coupon savings as plumping up our checking account so I don't have to put money someplace special.

[Mteel33]

I've only been couponing for a year but like the PP I don't really put it in a separate account. We have a monthly budget, including college funds for three kids, savings and retirement. If there's any extra I just dump it in the savings but we have been doing some improvements around the house and it's nice to pay cash instead of piling up credit card debt

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[smartshopper08]

I have an ING checking account only used as my grocery account. Money is direct deposited each pay period. I also have Credit/Debit card that I use only for those purchases (and I earn cash back bonuses). When the statement arrives its paid in full by the funds in the ING checking. If I've had a good month (always) and under "budget" then those leftover funds are transferred to an ING savings.

This system has worked wonderfully for nearly 7 years...and the best part, the extra money in the savings is mine to use however I choose!

[Mteel33]

Originally Posted by smartshopper08

I have an ING checking account only used as my grocery account. Money is direct deposited each pay period. I also have Credit/Debit card that I use only for those purchases (and I earn cash back bonuses). When the statement arrives its paid in full by the funds in the ING checking. If I've had a good month (always) and under "budget" then those leftover funds are transferred to an ING savings.

This system has worked wonderfully for nearly 7 years...and the best part, the extra money in the savings is mine to use however I choose!

Nice!

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[Goddessoflubbock]

I put it on a gift card every week and use it to buy my gas. I haven't "paid for" gas in a long time! Since we've often been cash poor this has worked well.

[cmaibauer]

Those are both really great ideas. Thank you.

[qrazy]

I look at it this way. If I used to spend $150 a week on groceries, and now spend $50 a week on groceries, I have "saved" $100. My cash register receipts may show I saved hundreds, but I don't think that way. I am able to buy a lot more and give a lot more. The extra money we aren't spending is helping to pay down our credit card debt. Plus each of my girls is taking 2 private music lessons (very expensive).

[missdanalu]

I have a separate ING checking account as well. Every pay day money is automatically transferred from Wells Fargo to them. Whenever I get MIR checks they're deposited there. If I get a rebate as a debit card (like P&G) I do a manual transfer from my Wells Fargo account to ING for the same amount and then use the rebate card next time I shop.

Some rebate cards are set aside for CVSing if I'm low on ECB or Cash Cards

Beyond that the extra money in our checking account just keeps carrying over. We don't move it anywhere.