What To Use Coupons For

You might have heard about the show Extreme Couponing on TLC.

I admit I was totally fascinated. I have always used coupons. I even remember helping my mom sort coupons in the 1980's when we shopped at the Commissary on the Navy base.
The show boasts impressive savings on extreme shopping trips. 80 bottles of mustard, 200 bottles of energy drinks, packages of lunchmeat taken home for pennies on the dollar.  In this economic climate it's inspiring for families who are struggling.

But let's take a couple steps back and think about what they are buying on the show. Lots of condiments, processed foods, just lots of junk food. They do that because there are usually big sales on those products paired with coupons and other store discounts. The show is truly unrealistic the producers ask the people to do "extreme" shopping trips. It paints a picture of what they buy on the show is what they eat all the time. Frankly that is gross and is a turn off to use coupons.

There are tons of coupons for crap (as mentioned in video above), which is a big reason for folks not to use coupons.  "There are only coupons for junk." I hear that a lot but it's not true. More on that in a second.

In a previous post I wrote;
"We spend lots of money on our homes, cars and clothes but we skimp on the costs of our food. Which we put into our bodies that we hope will last decades."


I think that is so backwards, why are we like that? I too, became "victim" to cheap eats especially when I was a single mother. I just couldn't afford to buy fresh produce all the time.  A head of cabbage costs as much as 3 frozen burritos. For a struggling family the choice is ruled by money and quantity rather than the healthy choice. Today I spend less in other areas of my life to buy organic meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables.


I make the choice of not using coupons for "junk food" and I choose to use coupons on household goods.  Dish soap, napkins, hygiene products, medicines, band aids... things like that I will never pay full price for.  I have come across many coupons for environmentally friendly products and organic foods. There are good coupons out there, when we use them and buy those products it is like we are "voting" for those products. Just the simple act of buying an item lets the store know that is what is in demand. 
You can find great organic and gluten free product coupons on Mambo Sprouts.  
Most of your favorite organic foods manufacturer's websites or Facebook pages offer coupons too.
Whole Foods even has their own store coupons.  My favorite local store PCC Natural Markets even accepts coupons which surprises many. I buy all of my produce there and I keep a garden too which keeps my produce bill low.


Other sites to visit are:
Totally Target - tips on deals at Target. Did you know you can combine a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon to get an even sweeter deal? 
For local moms a great hub for all deals online, drug stores, chain stores etc - visit Coupon Connections. 


-Thea

#1 Way to Stay Married

Is to have your own bank account.

Your husband will not understand that a bottle of foundation that you must by to aid you in keeping the "the we first met look" costs $24. Just like you don't understand why he spends $50 on some man thing that he seems to have 40 of.

Frankly, arguing with each other over personal items isn't worth it. Money is second to communication issues as to why couples argue and divorce. Often those two coincide with each other.
My mother in law (who has been married for 39 years) was the one who actually shared this secret to martial happiness with me. There should be an account for each other for your personal spending and then there should be a shared account for shared expenses like the mortgage/rent, utilities, groceries, kid activities etc.

Why should you have separate accounts? Its to keep your personal identity in a shared relationship.  Neither of you will dictate each others personal spending which gives room for you to be you. When you first meet you like each other for the individuals that you are and make the choice to come together to compliment each other. I think often that aspect gets lost over time.
With having your own account you won't need to ask your husband if you can spend $100 on a new pair of shoes. You've saved your own money and can treat yourself to those new shoes. It works both ways too. Even if you are a stay at home mom/dad you should have your you money.

As someone who used to be in the financial world accepting responsibility for shared expenses of course should be top priority. You do need a place to live and food to eat. But you should be treated too and having the capability to spend your own money on small things you enjoy can be really empowering.
I know many at this time are struggling with income and expenses but even if you can cache away $5 here and there for yourself it can do wonders. Sell some of your kid's clothes at a consignment shop? Great! Turn that money into a little shopping trip to the thrift store and snatch up some "new to you" clothes. Or save it for a girl's night out with friends, you get the idea.

I think and have seen a lot of ladies and gents get "lost" in relationships that are dominated by money issues. That leads to arguments and resentment.  Balance with financial matters are so important no matter how much money you have.

-Thea

How to Save Money?

You've already been bombarded with tax services emails and commercials this month. Yep, add that tax return on your to do list. Along with losing weight most folks start getting aggressive with saving money after the holidays.

In a different time of my life I used to dread January, it meant that I'd be working 60+ hours a week on tax returns until April 15th. They always say that you shouldn't talk about religion & politics, but I'd like to toss money in there too. That is one subject that makes most really uncomfortable.
Some have it and some don't. It causes the age old rift between people - the rich vs. the poor and it runs our society.

Lately I've been noticing more and more articles about living with less or spending less.
A California family lived a year without groceries,  (Not really so don't worry, but they did very well!)

A German Grandmother has lived the past 16 years without money. Seriously.

Living Without Money - trailer from Without Money on Vimeo.

And I'll even mention that horrible Extreme Couponing show. I do admit I watch it and I do "coupon", but I like to think of myself as a normal person and I don't have 40 things of mustard on hand at any given time.
I know these things are a direct result to the down economy and many are just trying to get by.
So let me correct my comment about thinking its a bad idea to talk about money, it is good to talk about saving it. Maybe not in an extreme manner but in a sensible manner.  I just sent off a little how to save care package to my sister in law so I thought I'd add some of those type of tidbits here too in the near future.

Happy Monday~
Thea

Fun Fact: Re-grow Green Onions

Did you know you can re-grow green onions?

Green Onions on the 3rd re-growth.

Its true! Don't toss out those white stringy parts of your green onions. Leave about an inch and a half of the ends bundle them up with a rubber band and set them in a clear glass filled with water. Make sure it is in a sunny spot (mine isn't in a super sunny spot) and watch the magic happen over the next few days.

Keep the water clean and you'll have green onions on hand for a couple months!
A neat trick I learned from my dad who was a huge onion fan.

Enjoy-Thea

Money is money

Right?

There have been times in my life where I've scrounged for change in my car, couch & purse because I needed money to pay for diapers or other important kid items.

I would be a blend of horrified, angry & sad if I made it up to the cash register with a handful of change to pay for my items only to be told they only accept a certain amount of change as payment.

Read how this Portland, Oregon had to deal with this situation.

Sure it might be annoying for the cashier. I was a cashier just outside of Flint, Michigan briefly once upon a time and I remember counting out a lot of change from elderly couples. Hey I understood. Money is money and like the woman in that story linked above. "If the government issues you the money they "stores" should take it." As a small handmade artist even at craft shows I accept change as payment.

Hard times falls upon the best of us why not do what we can and help someone out?