Saving Money or Spending It?

I have to say I feel caught when it comes to my new couponing experience.  It is true that I am able to have some things that I could not purchase in the last couple of years.  Things like razors, body wash, laundry soap ( I had to make my own, and it didn't turn out very well), hairspray, gel, rugs for the floor, hair ties, the list goes on.  Money was that tight.  Money doesn't come any easier these days, but I am making room for these things because I can get them at a significant discount.  At least 75% off discount.  I am asking myself, though, where do I draw the line?  I have been able to shift my focus from body wash to toothbrushes, to other items that I have been able to stock up on a little.  This weekend I spent $34 on items that I will need in the long run but don't need right now, as in today.  I realize this is the idea of couponing, but if a person only has $50 until next week's payday, exactly what do you do?

It is a balance, yes, but I also spent $8 on papers just to get the coupons.  I saved around $190 retail, but that is not Wal-mart's retail, it is a little inflated.  And I guess it is true that I will not have to purchase those items again, however, I did get some things that I would normally not have.  I am trying to stay away from those but if they are a dollar or less, or if I have wanted it for a long time I get it anyway, depending on my needs and money.

Perhaps the longer I do this, the better the results will be.  Just meaning that I will know "a good deal" when I see one, and will know how many to buy in order to make it, plus by not paying retail price money should loosen up in the future, right? 

Couponing Impact

I have recently begun couponing.  yes, perhaps in response to the television show, but the impact has shown me much in the few short weeks that I have been doing it.

I want to say that food is still a struggle for me, but I know I will get better.  Throughout the last two years, I have been at the bottom of the barrel as far as money goes.  I have not been able to purchase razors, never even thought of body wash, aspirin of any kind, and no other over the counter meds, either.  I could not afford to purchase cleaners for the house, instead using baking soda and whatever crappy dish soap I could afford for under $2 per bottle.  I had to save for a deodorant stick, often using the natural kind that lasts for a year and even though these sticks are very nice AND cheap- they prevent smell, but do nothing to help sweat.  I have not purchased laundry soap since before last summer, instead we have had to make it out of a couple of cheap products.  It does work, however, my washer does not like the powder and making the liquid is very nasty and does not work as well.

I have had to take it slow with the couponing because a person still has to invest a little money in order to stock up on items that are really cheap now to have for later.  Yes it may only be an extra $5 to you, but to someone like myself, it was all I had.  I stayed in there, though.  I am hanging in there because I feel better taken care of now than I have for years and years.  My skin is softer, I feel cleaner, my same old clothes feel like they have taken on a new life!

This week I have only gone to one store, and I did spend more than I wanted to.  I spent about $22, which may not be all that much to some, but it is a lot to me.  The products I came home with, though, had saved me $160.00.  Which, I might add, are pharmacy prices, but still the savings were fantastic.  I have been noticing that I have been feeling better, and I really think it is because of all these nice products. 

You can do it too!  I will keep you updated as my living style increases.  It has only been a couple of months, and I wish I had more to show for it as far as savings in the bank, but at least I have some staples that the home could not afford for quite some time.  I am excited to get to a point where the pile in the bank begins to grow!