Today is day one for a new series I have scheduled to post this entire month. With this series, we are going to start small and then work out way into big time savings. I will have accompanying video blogs as well. I’m looking for any and all topics that you would be interested in me talking about so please feel free to leave a comment if you have any topic ideas. Also – if you look to the top of this web page, you will see the toolbar that I have pictured below. If you are interested in seeing any of the previous “how to” posts I have made, put your cursur over the category “learn to save”. (looks at the red arrow below for a better visual) You can then click on “old how to posts” to see my old posts. As I update them, the old posts will disappear as I update them with new policies, tips, etc.
Addicted to Saving 101 – Introduction to Saving
Welcome to Addicted to Saving! My goal for you is to make your life easier as you save more money than ever before! To learn more about me, read my About Me page.
As you get started, read my tips below. And, follow my Addicted to Saving 101 series. We will get more in depth with each and every topic.
1) Set Goals. Are you looking to save money to put money towards bills? Debt? Savings? A vacation? Give yourself a goal – even if it is as small as having more money to cover your electric bill each month. As you save more and more money and you accomplish your set goals, you will feel such a sense of empowerment!
2) Start small. If you want to start saving money on your grocery and drugstore bills, I highly recommend that you pick one store. Learn that store’s policies and get familiar with the couponing process at that store. Once you master that store, add more stores. When I started I tried to take advantage of each and every deal available and when you do that, you will get overwhelmed and you may burn out.
3) Saving money should be a lifestyle. Couponing should not be a short-term fad where you save money for a couple of months and then go back to paying full price. When you make saving money saving money a lifelong process, you will reap the most benefits.
4) Have fun! Get excited when you score a really good deal. There was a deal where I was able to get feta cheese for free. I was already an “experienced” couponer but I can not tell you how happy that deal made me! Enjoy yourself as you learn that you really can get more for each dollar you spend!
5) Try new products. The more “non-negotiables” you have in your life, the more you will spend each week. For me, I’m a Heinz Ketchup girl. I don’t want any other brands of ketchup. So, I risk having to pay close to full price on ketchup if my stockpile runs low. I am pretty flexible on pretty much everything else I consume or use. Be willing to branch out and try new products. You will not only discover new brands and products that you enjoy, but you will be able to save more money as you take advantage of deals.
6) Follow the rules. I have provided you with extensive information on coupon policies and verbiage. Understand couponing ethics and don’t steer from them.
7) Get your family involved. If you shop with small children, make it a game for them to find blinkie coupons. Or give them the task of finding certain items that are on your grocery list. They will feel a sense of purpose and will begin to understand the importance of couponing at a young age!
8) Utilize AddictedtoSaving.com. I spend countless hours each week typing up and posting store sales and coupon matchups, deals, freebies, and more. My website is a free tool for you to utilize and enjoy.
Thanks for coming to Addicted to Saving! Here’s a little bit about me so you can know who’s behind all these posts!
My name is Liza and I began my money-saving journey in the Spring of 2009 as a way to stretch a limited household income. I had lost my job and my hubby was self-employed. I launched Addicted to Saving in November of 2009 and it has grown by leaps and bounds. Since then, my hubby and I have struggled with the ups and downs of two failed adoptions and are now LOVING being parents to our little man Asher who we brought home from Ethiopia in August of 2013. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to help you save money. My goal is that you will have FUN and become empowered to save more and more money each week..
I’ve been watching the coupon show extreme couponing and it seems to me that for the ladies/guys who do that much couponing they would have to spend $100’s a month on newspapers to get all of those coupons…100 tic tacs…she needed 100 coupons…they might be saving $400 – 500 on groceries a month but they are spending at least $100 on papers. No one ever talks about that…unless they are doing that every month which it seems like they are always saying …I hope this goes well this is my first big shopping day…then they are spending a lot just to get the coupons…what are your thoughts and how much doyou spend a month on getting your coupons. I do realize there are other ways to get them but when you are talking about buying 100 tic tacs…I don’t know where else you would find 100 coupons.
I know this past week on that show, one lady said she gets her papers from her church, friends and family. I can’t believe nobody else uses coupons in her church or family??