Do you want to save money? Of course you do! Everyone wants to save money. It’s a really ridiculous question. But, here’s one that’s not so ridiculous- how can you save money? I mean real money, enough to make a difference in your family’s life? Oh sure, you sometimes remember to bring those 20% off coupons to Bed Bath and Beyond, or maybe you buy things in bulk because they are cheaper, but are you really saving where it counts? Over a year ago, I asked myself these questions and realized that I didn’t know how to save real money. But…I wasn’t going to let that stop me from doing it anyway! If you do want to save money, real money, on the things that you need to buy every week, follow my new blog and I’ll help you do just that!
In March of 2008, I realized that I had to find a way to either earn more money, or save more money. I thought that I was already employing every likely method to save money. I was shopping at discount stores, using coupons, and looking for sales. I cut out luxuries like cable premium channels, shopped around for better deals on household services and negotiated discounts with any company that would listen. But, as it turns out, there was a lot more that I could do save money, I just didn’t know how.
Now, as a former teacher, and the daughter of a reference librarian, I knew that even though I didn’t know how to save more money, there was a great way to learn from the experts. I immediately started a huge research project, more ambitious than any that I’d done in my years at North Farmington High School (class of ’91- Go Raiders) or Michigan State University (class of ’95- Go State). It was second only to the research I’d done for planning my wedding! I was intent on finding out how I could save on something that I spent money on every week, out of necessity. Something that ate up a large chunk of our income, no matter what I did… you guessed it, groceries. We all have to eat right? And…I’m not going to compromise mine or my family’s health by living on Ramen Noodles and hot dogs, no matter how delicious (and cheap) they are!
I remember thinking, what else can I really do? That’s when I discovered that there was a lot more that I could do! Through my research I learned that there are entire websites and books devoted to saving money. I even watched instructional videos and TV news clips. I poured over everything that I could get my hands on! Within 2 weeks, I took bits and pieces of what I’d read, added my own ideas, organizational skills, and positive attitude, and started saving immediately! It’s only gotten better, (and easier) since then. I learn new tricks and ideas all the time and I’m going to share them with you here. So stay tuned to my blog and you’ll be saving like, well me, in no time!
I would love to hear from you. Please post your questions and I’ll do my best to answer them!
Happy Savings!
The Couponista
