Ever feel as though you are spending more money while using coupons–just to get that sweet deal? One Example: A local Supermarket was offering a $10 Catalina when you purchased $75 in groceries. Great deal right? Especially with coupons! As I’m working on my list for that week–I noticed that I was going to need at least $25 more dollars (before coupons) just to reach the $75 mark.
This week wasn’t a total great shopping week–prices were higher and there wasn’t anything too exciting going on. So I was making myself find things to reach my $25 mark. I thought about stocking up on meat, maybe produce—but soon came to the realization that I was being sucked in to that very thing that the grocery store wanted me to do. BUY.
So in my case, I was just trying to reach my mark but in the end realized we didn’t NEED any of the items that I was thinking about purchasing, which would result in my spending way too much and actually going over my monthly food budget.
Overspending. While using coupons it is very possible to do. In the early stages of couponing, I found myself so infatuated with every single deal–that I felt like I needed to do them all.
When you may feel you are overspending:
♦ while building your Stockpile. While you are trying to stock up on that rock bottom price , you may indeed feel that you are spending too much. Paying $20 for 20 tubes of toothpaste may just seem like a lot at once–but you will probably not need to purchase toothpaste for the next year!
In my eyes, if you pay $20 for an entire year’s worth of toothpaste for your family–this is ok because you will not be going back to the store and paying $3+.
♦ as a newbie, you will feel as though you need to score every deal–in fear that it will never come around again.
Deals do come around again. So don’t feel like you need to score every one. This will lead to overspending on items that you may not need at that moment. If you find your supply getting low–don’t panic. Make it last and wait for the next one which usually comes by every 6 weeks.
Helpful tips to keep you from overspending:
- Set a Stockpile Budget (I put aside $10 per week to stock up on cheap items)
- Set a weekly grocery budget–and stick to it!
- Don’t shop without a list
Anyone have tips that helped them from overspending?
My Name is Josie and I live in sunny Southern California and I am a stay at home mom to three beautiful boys. We all know that living in California is a task of it's own and saving in California IS possible! I started this blog mainly to share all the awesome deals out there and show others how to save in any area of life. Even though you may make the commitment to be frugal and pinch your pennies doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice!
Josie – THANKS so much for posting this. As a newbie, I’ve been feeling burned out (you warned us!) and this topic is PERFECT! I’m doing great on my toiletry savings, but haven’t done so well on groceries, and I’m running everywhere. I need to rethink a few things… but I appreciate this reminder very much.
I TRY to avoid the ECB/RR (etc) espcially for things that I don’t need just because the final price is for example $.99 or free. This is usually my speed bump. I spend more than I wanted/expected to and usually end up using my ECB/RR for frivilous items since it is a “free” dollar off. I have to remind myself that I initially paid that dollar.
In the beginning I felt like I needed to use all the coupons that were going to expire soon and I ended up spending more. Now I realize that a lot of the same coupons and deals come around often so I’m back to spending under my budget again.
As a newbie – I am trying very hard to buy only when it makes sense, on items I will use and when I need it. It hard not to want the “deal”, but I have already learned so much!
lol my daddy warn me about this and other the coupon & sale are bad youll spend more than you need
then i just tell them you needa know how to play the game.
OKAY! This may be a stupid newbie question but is it bad to pick up the “free” (w/ rr/ecb) deals “just because”?
My GF and I are putting together care packages with a lot of that stuff for the homeless people around town.
Is there a financial/couponing reason I shouldn’t be doing that? (not the homeless part)
I don’t think so Sherill!
This post is soooooo true. I see that a few stores have tooth paste this week for .25 but I already have like 7 tubes which will last me and my husband for 6 months plus. That would be something for me to get when a coupon makes it free. I have been doing the coupon thing for about 9 months and I am already seeing what everyone is saying about the items that will go on sale again. I didn’t believe it at first but now I am a believer. For example this week I only spent $40 total on my puchases from the supermarket, wallmart, CVS and wallgreens. But it was to build up my stockpile or for this week. Couponing has def changed my life.
Keep up the great job everyone!!!
It’s easy to become infatuated with “the deal”. Last week I spent a few dollars more than I would have at home because I took some coupon novices on a shopping “Field Trip”. There were a few coupons that the cashier disallowed that I would have called the manager for but I let it go for the sake of my newbies.
I remember in the beginning I think I was overspending in search of the sweet deals.
I think I spent $25 last weekend and that’s around my budget per weekend these days. It really helps to set a budget and carefully plan ahead.