Absolutely Delightful

They arrive stuffed in my mailbox on an almost daily basis. One coupon offers me a buy-one-get-one-free rack of ribs entree at the local BBQ place. Another one offers me 15% off a “revolutionary” new fat burning supplement (which I’ll need if I take advantage of the free rack of ribs coupon). There is even a coupon for 50% off housekeeping service (which I’ll also need to help me remove all the bags of coupon clutter from my house).

They are everywhere. These little gems that help us keep more money in our wallet, or save for that special trip to the Caribbean. However, once upon a time, even the pull of the Caribbean couldn’t get me to use coupons. I was embarrassed to use them. Even the ones you shell out $50 for, like the Entertainment book. I would always find the coupon but then get my husband to do the actual transaction, so I didn’t have to.

I was a closet Couponista.

Fortunately, I am no longer like this. Now, I proudly embrace my inner Couponista and I have gotten some really great deals because of it (we recently bought a $350 car seat for $170 after coupon stacking and it was easy peasy)! So, now I wonder why I was so stupid for so many years. Manufacturers print those coupons for a reason! They want you to buy their stuff! What’s not cool about getting a deal? That’s just savvy, right? And what’s not cool about savvy? When did “frugal” become another bad “F” word? Many couponistas and frugalists are looked down upon: “Coupons?! Recycling?! Discount designer store? How mortifying!” I know this attitude well…because I had this attitude once! I went to a highschool and university where if the tag sticking up from the back of your designer clothing had the tell-tale slash of the outlet mall, you might as well drop out and homeschool.

A couple years before I had kids, when I was working full-time and earning a great salary I recognized the error of my ways. Now with two kids, and being a SAHM, I embrace my inner frugalist even more. I think it’s important to teach my children the value of being smart with money. Of course, for the Frugalist and the Couponista it can be a slippery slope between getting a great deal on something you need or want, and getting a great deal on something you don’t really want but, “Hey it’s such a great deal, I can’t pass it up.” The recovering shopaholic in me must make a conscious effort to steer clear of that trap! Especially when it comes to cute shoes.

Mmmmmmm, cuuuuuute shooooooooes…

For those of you who are Closet Couponistas, like I once was, online shopping with a coupon is a great way to be gentle with yourself while still getting that great discount. Now, whenever I am looking to make a purchase online I google a coupon code before I push that checkout button. I almost always find one for the major stores. I am often able to save an additional 15-30% and/or get free shipping. I also sometimes shop online through the cash-back sites. Ebates and Fat Wallet are a couple of very popular cash back sites.

So there you have it! Next, I’ll share how to get over the embarrassment of buying toilet paper. Either that, or just show you where to score the motherlode of Kleenex coupons. Boy, I used to have some issues! Like I don’t poop! Thank God I’m out of my insecure twenties and so “normal” now. Okay, well, at least the thing about my twenties is true.