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. One thing to consider..is that here in Southern California–we pay a higher sales tax than most states. SO if you don’t need it and even though it is free–just remember that it might not be FREE after tax.
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 $8 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!
Thank you SO much for this post. I began couponing 6 months ago as a hobby and after watching a certain show. At first I felt like I needed to buy 12 newspapers and get all the deals I saw. Boy did I learn quickly now I buy 4 newspapers ( I have a afamily of 5 and 2 little ones are in diapers)now I am trying to help my sister so this post will be great so she doesnt feel overwhelmed !!! Thanks again a bunch!
I also LOVE this post Josie. I’ve mentioned a few times that I have a hard time with couponing. Just not feeling like I am “getting it” So your posts have been so great in helping find my “cozy spot” and not scrambling to get every deal every time. <3 You seriously ROCK T-mec!
I have a question i am trying to set a realistic grocery budget for my family of 4 there are sites that say 100 dls for a whole month . is that enough i have a little one . so her pampers even with coupons take about 15 dls a month i went so far from 200 dls a week to 100 dls a week since i started couponing which it has been 3 months but i see ppl saying they spend 100 a month to feed their families so i feel like i must be doing something wrong :[ . thank you for your time :]
@Alicia L – @Alicia L – i feel you i always feel like that too :[ i need to learn how to be happy with what i can do :] at least i’m doing so much better than before i started couponing :] so lets give our selfs a big pad on our backs :]
“Anyone have tips that helped them from overspending?”
Don’t take non-couponers with you. lol.
My sister (roommate), and pseudo-husband (live w/ bf) both like end displays. They have learned to spend their own money, or endure the evil stare from me for ruining my cool savings.
Something that helps me immensely is meal planning. It keeps me from overbuying food sales. I still stock up on long term items on great sale/coupon deals, but I don’t find myself spending as much when I realize that that cheap cool item that might be a great deal will not get used.
Everything you said in this post is so right on point! I used to want to hit every deal, but have learned to let go and wait for it to come around again. I was discouraged when I was spending more upfront, but like you said I’m set on toothpaste for a long time! I calculate the price of tax into my free items for my budget. I think in SoCal this is a must! So free toothpastes cost me around 8¢ on a $1 sale. Small on that example, but tax adds up fast if you aren’t careful.
I always say, “it’s not how much you save, it’s how much you spend out of pocket.”
I have a ton of CVS EB, so I find myself skipping some deals and buying it at CVS instead. Although the sale at CVS might be slightly higher, I still pay less OOP since I pay using my EB instead of cash at other stores.
Thanks for the post! I recently got a Recyclebank $5 off $50 Q and after going over a bunch of scenarios, realized that there was no way it wasn’t actually going to cost me money if I used it, so I just let it expire. It was hard, but I know I did the right thing for my budget! I also agree with the poster that mentioned tracking what you spend rather than what you “save” — for instance, I did the CVS Glade deal this week and got 3 free air fresheners, but that will not appear as a savings on my monthly budget spread sheet since they are things I never would have bought otherwise. And I also keep track of every penny tax I spend — it really does add up, and a “free” $10 item in SoCal is not really free at all in my opinion. I enter anything I get free that I wouldn’t have purchased otherwise (including ‘necessities’ like toothpaste and soap if I already have a hearty stockpile of them) in a different color on my budget spreadsheet so that at the end of the month I can see what I got for free (or in some cases overage that I know helps cover my other expenses), not what I “saved.” Anyway, great post!
I used to be brand-loyal and store-loyal, but now, wherever there is a sale on what I need I will shop there. The only items I’m brand-loyal are my Heinz Ketchup and Diet Pepsi
Also, you may not think of Walgreens, Rite Aid, or CVS when buying groceries, but you may want to check those places too, especially when these stores have their reward programs – they can save you out of pocket. Example – CVS recently had Bumble Bee Tuna on sale for $.59 – that’s the lowest I’ve seen it, so I bought 10.
@Marivel – look for diapers at the drugstores. When you start shopping at the drugstores and collecting the Register Rewards, ECBs, etc, your OOP will decrease.
@marivel – I too have a family of 4 and my budget is $400 most months. And that is just for groceries, doesnt include personal care or anything. Most months I dont spend that much, but if we hit up Sam’s Club or I do alot of stockups then I will use it all. But that amount works with my total budget and our eating habits. Do what works for you. If you eat alot of fresh produce and meat, you will probably need more then $100 a month, especialy if you dont have a large stock yet. Think about what you have been spending the past few months, and maybe just try to knock it down $25-$50 this month. And then go from there! Hope this helps alittle!
i am so glad you have a huge network .. i enjoy reading all the advices you ladys give. so so helpful..
2 advices : dont shop at a store for a 1 OR 2 items that catches your eyes.. you will ending up buying a cart load of stuffs…
Dont bring husband and your children. i notice i spot a couple items that wasnt on my list and wonder “hey what is that?” LOL.. EVEN THOU i love the company but those extra items is breaking the bank.
My % off CVS coupons.. i never get to use these cause everything i buy is on sale. so what i did is offer to my awesome bunch of cashiers. like the neutrogena deal going on now, i offer to purchased the items plus using my stock of coupons & %off coupons and submitting the rebate myself. they just pay the differences. they really appreciate this. JUST A THOUGH..
@Leslie – ty i will try that :]
@Briana – ty briana :] i feel better i did drop my grocery bill from like 800 to 400 dls a month sometimes less depending of when i running out of meats and that but thank you all for your great advise i feel much better now :] you gals rock thank you :]