Getting Real With Jennifer Poole
A few months ago I joined the couponing craze. I have always considered myself a bargain shopper but I wanted to try to save even more. Now I am nothing like the people you might have seen on the new show about couponing but I am still a bit crazy.
I now have a big binder filled with multiple copies of each available coupon including those I download off the internet. Each week I scan various ads to find the best deals on things I might need. The key is to try to double up on savings. So the item must be on sale and I have a coupon for it.
For example, last week Walgreen’s had granola bars on sale 2 boxes for $4. Normally they are about $4 for just one box so this is a great deal, especially since one of my teens loves to eat them everyday. I downloaded additional coupons for 50 cents off each box. So I was able to get 12 boxes for $1.50 plus I received $6 in register rewards coupons good toward my next purchase. And I have a very happy granola bar loving boy.
I have found couponing to be a roller coaster of emotion for me. I love it when I get a great deal. I get frustrated when they are already sold out of the item or I later find out it was on sale for an even better deal elsewhere. I love knowing I am saving money for my family and my lunches for the next three months (soup or frozen meals) have already been purchased. And there is the time involved. Working a full time job and part time job and running a household is enough of a juggling act before adding in the need to go to 3-4 different stores each week to get the best deals. It can become like Black Friday shopping every week and that can be exhausting. I just do what I can when I can and enjoy finding the bargain.
