Man, She's Thrifty

  Now, more than ever, thrift is necessary to get by in this economy. While dumpster diving and second hand stores are legitimate ways to save money and find unique deals, there are easier and more reliable ways to save on what you need. Watch for stores going out of business or liquidating stock (they may be open to negotiation on prices). Coupons and store ads are another great way to save a lot of money. These ads are not limited to food savings, but clothes, toiletry items, furniture, vacations, gas, and more! There are also blogs that are dedicated strictly to finding the best deals and making you aware of them.
   The art of couponing may be intimidating to some, but in reality, it can be pretty easy and exciting! There are classes available from the people who write the blogs to help new comers get in the swing of things or help old timers get new ideas for organization and new deal combos. Just google "couponing" and search around for local sites.
  The basics are: collect manufacture coupons, pair them to store ad sales, combine with store coupons and double coupons to maximize savings. Grocery stores and super stores such as Target and Fred Meyer send out postal mail fliers with extra coupon savings too. Some have coupon booklets in-store too for patrons to take. Manufactures even have deals with specific stores that when you buy certain items or combination of items you get a special coupon called a "catalina" that acts as cash on your next purchase. These are gold! Keep in mind that buying generic may help budget-wise for somethings, but there aren't coupons for generic merchandise, nor will you get catalinas. Many times with using coupons you can get brand name items cheaper than the store equivalent generic. This goes for food, medicine, toiletries, cleaning supplies, make-up, and more. Here are some examples of savings I did just today:

  My oldest son thinks it is fantastic to see how much I save, to the point that he grabs the receipt before I have a chance to look at it first. My kids also love getting treats I wouldn't normally buy because they are often out of our budget, but not with coupons!

  Now, don't go buying something just because it's a "good deal". Buy what you normally use or wish to use but couldn't afford before. Saving money and resources is a thrill for me, and I know that I am helping my family in doing so. You can do it too! Fill your cup.