Part 4: Not going overboard/Setting spending limits

We are really moving along with our 12 step program!!!! It’s a New Year as well, so take the time out to get your finances organized so you can start the year off right!!!!! Yeah, well on to our Part 4: Not going overboard/Setting spending limits.

NOT GOING OVERBOARD!!!!!

Once I started couponing, I was clipping every coupon and printing out oodles of printable coupons. Then I felt like if I had a coupon for it, I was getting it!!!!! I was constantly on the computer trying to find the best deal…..THIS IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO SAVE!!!

• Allow yourself to research and print coupons around twice a week. Make it part of your daily routine to check through and print out coupons you need.

• Remember that you don’t have to snag EVERY deal!!!! I have bought a few things dirt cheap, only to realize later, that I have no need for it. Don’t let yourself get so stressed at finding the best deal! If you miss a deal, chances are that they will come back around again. (Sales move in cycles, depending on the season) Going back to a store over and over again in the same week just get another deal that you missed before is not going to save you time or money!!!!!

• Going overboard will cause burn out!!!! Allow yourself to splurge (within reason) occasionally for something that you do NOT have a coupon for. It is okay!!!! In the long run, you are still saving money!!!!

• Don’t feel like you HAVE to be an extreme coupon user. If binders, and internet blog hopping isn’t your thing, tailor the couponing to fit you!!!! As long as you are making a conscience effort to reduce your spending, it doesn’t matter how many coupons you download from the internet! (Trust me, I am still working on that one!!!)

• Stay focused on why you are couponing. If your like me, you have too much month at the end of the money and need a way to help stretch it!!!! This helps to remind you that your goal is to save money, not spend it ALL on getting the BEST deals. If your spending the same amount as before (but getting TONS of GREAT deals) You still aren’t saving money……

SET SPENDING LIMITS!!!!!

Okay, even though we are adults, we still need boundries to keep us in check just like we do for our kids. One way to keep you from going overboard, is to set a spending limit.

• Use cash ONLY when shopping. Using a debit or credit card is just too easy. Using cash often makes people think twice aobut what they are purchasing which will help to reduce costs.

• Budget out how much you can spend on groceries for a week, and then only take that amount with you to the store(s). Focus on the have to Buy items first (such as milk, eggs, butter, oj, bread) Then with the leftover amount, you can work your magic at scoring the deals!!!!

• DO NOT BORROW from next weeks allowance f or this week, EVER!!!! This will cause a snowball effect that will compound until you become overwhelmed and AGAIN will defeat the purpose of couponing. When your money for this week is gone, YOU ARE DONE; no ifs, ands or buts about it!!!

Keep reminding yourself that deals always come back around so if you miss one, you will hit the next one!!!
 
Thats all today, folks!!!
Take care and remember, email, message,  or comment if you have a question about any area of the blog. If I don't know the answer I will find out and get back to you!!!!
 
Take care!!!