Simply my love for coupons :D

[niro_anan]

I suddenly felt the urge to announce my love for coupons and do here I am. I shortly began couponing a few months ago and although my family consists of a single parent with 2 adult children I never thought about couponing. My mom on the other hand used coupons that came in the mail which was smartsource or redplum every so months.....she had no idea that the lovely world of internet could bring so much more than those monthly 5 coupons . I at first didnt care about the couponing, probably was embarassed as a child ,I really dont remember. But I went completely 360 degree and beyond that. My mom had no idea about these fpcs or hv coupons that you could request . Nor did she know about trading . I watched extreme couponers a few years ago and thought it was cool but never went into couponing thinking it was too difficult and time consuming. [It has become time consuming only because im now addicted ]

So here I am 6 months later after embarking on a journey to donate items to the needy and at first thought monetary donations would suffice but realized what $100 could only do , maybe a few items possibly 20 items at most and dont forget TAX . But my ...I was surprised that with my coupons items that were $3.48 cost as little as .50cents . MY LOOSE CHANGE would amount to something !!!!

So I embarked on that journey to make the most use of my money , tax took out a big chunk but I was proud owner of a stash of items which people would look at think ..."oh ofcourse $150 would cover that ..".little do they know the real cost of times adds up quite quickly with tax .

What probably made me realize it was my christmas haul , not for myself but for a donation.
A lotion which I had bought 8 months ago a nivea 250ml for 4.99 which I bought during christmas 500ml nivea for 1.77 EACH needless to say I bought over 12 :D I simply could've bought 2x the amount I had bought for half the price . Couponing made me realize a that Yes im shy and embarasssed to ask for coupons and feel like people stare at me for taking a coupon at the store BUT is it not my hard worked money that I'M SPENDING ?.....

I now taught my mom, even quizzed her , along with my sister about SCOP which we never knew and probably never will have until I fell onto this site ! We would simple correct the cashier and they would change the price .... not giving it for FREE as they are supposed to .
My sister calls me the crazy couponing lady and says id gve her kid a coupon as a birthday gift...its true (I joke) ...I read how a couponer had her kids find coupons , or gave them an allowance to find 1 item to buy from the store and use a coupon, I was amazed . I cant remember who It was but im impressed and I hope that I get a chance to teach my kids about coupons like that!! Thank you for the idea

Anyways just wanted to share my couponing love as it grows , thanks for reading , and thank you for all your tips and tricks .

[pamjcoupon]

good job! great brag!

[oscarandme]

niro_anan!

Shout it from the roof tops.

Another example of as children, we learn what we see. A SC'er has a pink avatar under her name that says something like "Our outer voice becomes their inner voice". I found that profound and true. Applying that to outer actions.

Your mothers' necessities turned into life lessons for you and your sister, her children and back to your mother again. Amazing -right?. That's great and keep teaching and shouting from the roof-tops, we're listening/reading. Good job and wonderful that you donate as well, I can't wait to get to that point. That is my goal but not there yet at all.

[avoncallingu]

I feel the same as you do. I always felt that I didn't have a lot to contribute financially to charities but now I can contribute much more that I have spent little for. It's very satisfying to be able to stretch our dollars and help others at the same time! Thanks for reminding us all what lovely things come from couponing!

[coupon girl]

thanks for sharing -i have used coupons for 20 some odd years -since i found smart canucks trading and trains take it to another level-in fact i dont remember my mom ever using coupons -but i love it too

[YOU AND ME]

I have been couponig since the early 80's,my mom used coupons back in the day,and us kids used to fight over them.OP nice bragi donate to a women shelter a few time a year most of the time it only costs me the taxes

[kk008]

Nice story that I think a lot of us can relate to including me....thanks for posting :0)

[coley3]

I find couponing liberating. It gives me a chance to give back financially to our family (as we are saving money) I can now afford to give to others because I watch for deals and get things for free. I get to take the time and do something for me which I enjoy. Couponing just makes me happy

I am so glad that couponing has made a difference in your life too. Keep shouting it out