SHARK BITES – Couponing and Budgeting
It takes a lot of patience, time, and energy to pull off a great couponing haul. Not to mention, you need to customize your shopping transactions/trips to fit your needs. Some folks match their coupons to whatever is on sale— whether they need the items or not— and just save them to their stock pile for future use or donations. Some folks have the mentality that if items seem to be a good deal, why not buy it. On the other hand, there are folks who buy specifically to what they only need and match their coupons that way. We know that not everything can have a coupon attached to the item. However, the more coupons we have, the better the savings! I, myself, wish there were more fresh meat item coupons.
How Much Did You Say My Total Is?
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or defeated by shopping? You do all your homework. You have your binder/folder/envelope(s) all situated to each store advertisements, and you get to the store only to find items missing, which throws a BIG wrench in your shopping plans. What to do? What to do? Well… my advice is not to panic! There should always be a PLAN B, so to speak. Make sure your calculator is at hand and paper to write your revisions on. Sometimes you just have to do the work in the store, because you never know what can happen.
If you find yourself at a larger total than planned and have gone “over budget”, simply look at your receipt, find the discrepancies, and then go to the customer service counter for any modifications. Please don’t take your frustrations out on the cashier, because sometimes the discrepancies fall on us. We do make our own mistakes by looking at information wrong in the ads— especially not reading the small print/requirements. There are specific steps and rules that companies enforce. We must abide to make our shopping experiences as pleasant as possible. Even though you get tips from blog sites like Freebie Shark, always double check your stores policies and ads. Prices and selections vary in different stores/states. Stores can change policies at any given notice. We always have to do our part to ensure we have as much information as possible. Please note that many stores still charge you for using coupons. So, even if every coupon is for a free item, you may have to come out of pocket with some change from the bottom of your purse or pockets. 😉
Budget!
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word budget means a plan used to decide the amount of money that can be spent and how it will be spent. However, some folks don’t take into consideration that even the cost of newspapers, printing coupons, gas to get to the stores to buy newspapers— (if you don’t have s subscription), all fall into the this category. Even your time is valuable! When it comes to keeping a tight belt around your financial budget, everything— even the small stuff that may seem insignificant, should be accounted for in your budget planning. After all, it all adds up. The point of budgeting is to stay in a certain range, so that your finances not become a burden, but a budgeting blessing.
Game… Set…Match
Having your game plan together is smart. Setting a budget is smarter. Being able to price match is even smarter. Some stores will price match (check store policies). Just make sure you have the current ad to show the cashier or at the customer service desk. Some stores will even match online prices in-store. So, show the item(s)/price(s) on your cell phone or tablet, if they don’t already pull the information up at the customer service counter.
Socially Speaking…
Well… I think it’s safe to assume many folks are getting couponing tips from social media. Bloggers are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, among other social platforms. Here is a Pinterest link monthly budget worksheets to choose from that may be of help to you.
Another great tool I find on social media are the posts of shopping trips from great hauls that many of you do. I see plenty of name brand items that that were just pennies on the dollar. Now, that’s what I call creativity and great budgeting! I also see very savvy shoppers taking advantage of what is out in the world that is up for grabs. All you need is the drive and motivation. It’s all strategic. Even items bought that weren’t planned initially can get purchased sometimes when you have a negative (-) total and need to eat up that cost. I love it when that happens! I like to purchase something that normally/rarely wouldn’t have a coupon like fresh meat to fill in the negative cost! Who wouldn’t love getting free fresh meat?
A Wise Person Once Said…
As the saying goes… “spend your money wisely”. No truer words have been spoken. How about that timeless classic our parents told us growing up that “money doesn’t grow on trees”. Have you shared this classic line with your children yet? 😉 Well… we all know these words speak volumes. That’s why it is important to incorporate any and all varieties of saving plans when you budget. Coupons will always bring in savings— whether big or small. The bottom line is to save. Don’t get discouraged if your big shopping haul doesn’t come out as expected. It takes a little time to get in the swing of things. As you become more active in the couponing activities, you will find your niche. Not everybody can do an ‘extreme couponing’ haul right out the gate. Practice makes perfect. So clip those coupons, bring your calculator, and get those savings!
A Smile Goes a Long Way
Even hard working cashiers can use a little pick me up sometimes. Greet them with a smile. Be courteous and let them know if you plan on having multiple transactions. If you’re in a super generous mood, give them a coupon for a free item. You’d be amazed how much a cashier will light up. If you become a regular to that cashier, you just may get that added extra attention that helps make any shopping trip of yours filled with couponing manageable and pleasant. All the best to you!
We Are Family!
I like to think that the Sharky community is a big, happy family. If it weren’t for many of you alerting me of some great deals to post, I wouldn’t be reaching as many followers, as I do. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing, caring, inviting friends and family, and taking the journey of great savings with me. I hope the remainder of 2015 brings great savings, great joy, and great finds to you, your loved ones, and household.
Sharky wants to know:
- What coupons would you like to see more of from manufacturers?
- Are you a “whatever is on sale” type of shopper, or a “specific” type of shopper?
- Have you ever given your cashier a coupon for a free item or a free item from your shopping trip?
~Sharky
What is “Shark Bites”? Shark Bites is a money-saving tips series here on FreebieShark that aims to help you and your family get the most out of your money. “Shark Bites” posts are both educational and straight to the point. Just another way FreebieShark is helping you save!
