Through a money-saving e-zine (digital magazine), newsletters and more Molly and her cousin Midge walk alongside us as homemakers. Recipes and shopping are just some of the things I look to the Econobusters site and Molly Green to find.
This review item fits with the purpose of Molly Green and the Econobusters.
As a single-income (and occasional no-income) family, I am always looking to stretch those pennies as far as I can. I have always used coupons if I came across one for a product I wanted. I was excited when this opportunity to review the book “Couponing Made Simple” by Christi the Coupon Coach. This book is available both as a softcover print edition ($18.00) or as a digital Kindle book ($4.99).
I have fallen out of the practice of using coupons lately. I would clip all the coupons that looked good (even if it was a product we didn’t normally use) and then felt I had to use them. It took too much time, I had to go elsewhere to buy a paper (we don’t have delivery in our rural location), etc. What I thought was my biggest excuse – we were eating healthier. I wouldn’t find coupons for the food we eat. I don’t wear make-up or use traditional cleaning supplies. There are many things we do that are not the norm.
What I didn’t realize though is that coupons can still work for our family. From what I have learned in Christi’s book, is that there is a system. I will never be an extreme couponer — and that is not what Couponing Made Simple is about anyway. There are simple steps — it doesn’t have to take long. Believe me, if it would take much time, I wouldn’t be doing it.
Christi’s book is so helpful in explaining the lingo. Not sure what a blinkie or peelie is? You probably have used one but didn’t realize it had such a fun name. Yes fun. In reading Couponing Made Simple, I have re-found the fun. Not just the fun in bringing home so much for so little. The whole process of finding, matching and organizing your coupons is fun. Shopping in the store and spotting a deal you had not put on your list. I no longer lament that I have a coupon at home for that. Thanks to Christi’s tips I have it with me — and dance a little jig right there in the aisle – embarrassing my children.
My children are part of our couponing team. They can cut the coupons and match them to the ads. They spot things in the store and know if we have a coupon for that. They push the extra cart because the younger ones are in the first one.
The first chapters of “Couponing Made Simple” show success stories. It is exciting to see how much others have saved — and the pictures of just what they purchased. Christi shares some of the numbers in couponing. When you start looking at how much you can save over the course of a year, how can you not give coupons a try?
Christi has a very organized system and that is “Couponing Made Simple”. I really appreciate that as she explains her system — the how and the why — she gives alternate suggestions. There is definitely not a feeling of this is the only way but this is my way. I like that I feel “permission” to tweak what I want/need and make it my own. There are sites out there that match up coupons with sales at stores in your area. They aren’t listed in the book because this sort of thing can change. Christi has some on her site. Additionally, a quick internet search can find those specific for your stores in your area.
The chapter on Tips & Tools has a lot of great advice that goes beyond how to organize and use coupons. I had to laugh when I read the tid bit about a 5# bag of apples and weighing more than 5 pounds. I remember a shopping trip not too long ago when our store first opened those U-scan registers. I had the hardest time with my bag of apples. It works off of a scale and the computer thought I was adding something extra without scanning it because my apples were heavier than they “should” be.
There are many ways to save money – and to save on more than just food and health & beauty aids. I was excited to see that Christi also talks of yard sales and thrift stores. Those are two of my favorite places to shop — especially for clothes for my growing children.
My most favorite chapter of Couponing Made Simple is the last chapter. It has the best information on saving of all. The most ultimate freebie there is – salvation in Jesus. I absolutely love that Christi is unashamedly Christian.
Getting started couponing and doing it in a “work smarter not harder” way may seem intimidating. My previous method (really just winging it) took a lot of time, I missed a lot of the deals I could have used and bought things I didn’t need. Learning the lingo and setting up a system (with Christi holding your hand and encouraging you all the way) will get you started on your way to a new, easy money saving lifestyle.
