It's not about how fast we get there, it's about being Consistent!
Last Night I decided to Clean out my Coupon Binder and oh what an eye opener it was! A friend of mine told me a couple of weeks ago, there was going to be a Coupon class at our local paper and asked me if I was going to attend. I wanted to go but I also knew it was going to be something to a basics class and a "You've got to buy 5-10 Newspapers every Sunday if you are serious about building a good stockpile!" kind of motivational pitch. Is it true that you have to buy that many newspapers? Yes and No.
I met up with one of the friends that had gone to the class that day and asked her how she had liked it. Her response went something like this...
"Oh girl I was so motivated when I left that class. I went and bought those plastic card holders and a folder and when Sunday came along a went and bought 8 newspapers!" I looked at her with eyes wide open! She went on...
"I got home and sat down and started to clip all of my coupons one after another and another and another and then I realized I was never going to finish and I didn't. I gave up and there they sit. The class made it sound so good and I thought I could do this every week but once you get to it it's a lot of work!" "I can't believe you do this every week!"
"I don't!" I answered.
And so we come to todays Coupon Krazy days post. I know many of you do buy more than one Sunday paper I am one of them...surprised after my little story? Confession, I buy two newspapers every Sunday and not one more...for now! Hahaha :0)
When my friends come to me with stories like the one above and want my advice on how to start couponing because they seriously want to start their stockpiling I tell them to start slowly. Why? Because it's not about how fast we get there, but about being consistent! I have them start with one Sunday paper and give them the "File by Date" option. What is the "File by Date" option? Check out the video below.
With this option you don't have to be clipping coupons every week and waste time you don't have, specially if you have little ones. The down side like the lady in the video tells us, you can't take advantage of those last minute deals. I used the filing box after coming back to couponing (after giving up the clipping and category system), but I now use a folder with paper protectors that I take along with me to take advantage of those last minute deals :0) Take a look at my folder.
I print the date of what Sunday paper it was from on each side of every page
I carry these items in the folder, ready for any last minute deals at the store!
4in Folder
With the File by Date Folder system, we fix the problem of missing the last minute deals!!!!
Once you are used to couponing decide what works for you if filing by date or by categories and then how many newspapers you want to buy. I have decided that two newspapers every week is perfect for my family. Maybe a year from now I will work it up to three.
Next, you have to clean out your folder or filling box once a month. Remember I told you I only buy 1-2 newspapers a month? Let me show you what this looks like when cleaning out...
This was in the beginning...
Almost done...
OK, I am done now! Imagine if I would buy 5-10 newspapers every Sunday?!
This is just ONE month worth of coupons not used!
If you are serious about building your Stockpile: Prepare everything a day before you go shopping
Check out several websites that will tell you where and what deals to look for to help you out. Isn't it great that they have done the work for you already???!!!
I use Coupon Mom and The Krazy Coupon Lady
Both are FREE!!!!
1. Choose a day out of the week to go shopping! Mark it on your Calendar and make it a DATE! Rain or Shine KEEP that date!!!
2. Don't think you will only go to one store! You have to go to 2-3 different stores to get the best deals.
3. Don't be loyal to a brand, learn to be flexible! Generic is not always cheaper!
4. Don't Whine! Enjoy yourself, this is actually a lot of fun!
If you have any other website or tip please let me know, I would love to learn more about the art of SAVING money and Couponing!!
Blessings everyone!
