The Savings Game
Posted by: Nikki on: May 27, 2009
I’ve gotten heavily into bargain shopping and coupon clipping. I’m still no good at shopping, because the bottom line is I hate to shop. In fact Hollis took over grocery shopping for awhile because he says we can’t afford for me to do it. 
He created this spreadsheet of items we regularly purchase. He visited various stores and recorded their prices. Then he patronized each store based on the lowest price for items we needed. Don’t ask me if we saved more money this way; I was never shown any evidence.
Anyway with the world’s economy being being portrayed as it is, there have been many television programs about saving money and ways to do it. Before, I was a casual bargain shopper. If I had a coupon or if it was on sale, cool. If I didn’t or it wasn’t, no biggie. However lately it’s gotten fun for me. Not shopping; I still hate that. But saving money…now that’s a good time to be had! I’m also a bit of a nerd when I get into something because I like to have “proper tools.” I found this thing, The Couponizer, online and I want to save up now to buy it. Isn’t it cool?! Yes I do see the irony in saving money to buy something to help me save money, but it’s pretty. If any of you have more frugal suggestions on how to get this organized (especially YOU, Megan B.), I am totally open.
3 Responses to "The Savings Game"
May 28, 2009 at 7:21 PM
WOW I did the spreadheet thing comparing Target, BJs, and Babies R Us! Who knew someone else was as OCD as me! I am not the type to drive a zillion places to save $2. But I do organize my shopping based on what I need and where it is cheapest. I do pride myself on rarely paying full price for things. However, that couponizer was interesting. I ordered one of those simple coupon organizers that is like $6.95. It is compact and I can toss it in my purse. I order the CLT Observer weekends only so that I can cut coupons. Often there are restaurant coupons in there as well that I save. I keep 2 envelopes in the car. One with restaurant coupons and 1 with other coupons such as Bed Bath Beyond. The key is to have them with you. Lots of people cut coupons but don’t take them with you. Those are my tips. I would love to hear from others……
May 30, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Ok… I’m weighing in! I would NOT purchase this item because you can make one yourself that is customized and reuseable for under $10 – and that’s a fancy one! It would take a binder/photo book (which you may have laying around the house), baseball card organizer pages ($3.79 for 20 pages with 9 pockets each), and the little “list” pads ($1 each at A.C. Moore, Michael’s, etc). You could customize it with your own tabs to meet your family’s specific needs (ie: a special section for Caleb’s foods), again really cheap to buy at Wallyworld or make your own. As far as the “results” / “how much I saved” section… most stores tell you at the bottom of your receipt. Personally, I am happy with seeing it, patting myself on the back, and trashing it, but if you’re that OCD you can make a pocket to talley those up too!
http://www.vm-sports.com/product/20815/20-Ultra-Pro-Platinum-Nine-Pocket-Pages-Sports-Card-Holders_32512.html
– Put coupons in pockets according to your own method of organization. Multiple coupons for the same item go in the same pocket but in order of expiration.
Anyway… just my own thoughts. The couponizer is pretty, but I think it’s limited and is more about marketing and less about practicality (is that a word?!).
Love you!
Megan
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May 27, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I remember going to Aldi, going to Walmart, then stopping by Flowers bread store to get 3 loaves for $1.79. I took it pretty seriously, never got to the fun part. It was John’s job to make the money, it was my job to save the money, even if it meant dragging the boys to 3 different stores in a day. Enjoy your couponizer! -jacq