I love being cheap!

Ok,
So I really don't have many readers yet but I'm working on that.
I have to share with everybody (or somebody) something I love and something that makes me way too happy...
Bargain shopping!
When I was a little girl my mom used to make me keep track of her coupons that she clipped from the newspaper and keep a calculator to keep track of how much she was spending on our trips to the grocery store. She would be so proud to be exactly at her budget or at least close, and I think that little act of getting me involved really wore off. So, as you might see, this caused me to like being frugal. Also, I might add, I loved being frugal before it was cool or necessary to be with this silly economy. (Which isn't really important, but I think it's sad people are just now realizing that we should save money instead of spend it all!)

Regardless, I believe that Scripture teaches good stewardship and I think this is very important in the life of a woman. Proverbs 31 is a great example of an industrious, hardworking, and frugal woman. She works hard into the night and early in the morning to do what is best for her family. I believe coupon clipping is part of that. It may surprise you that I do not have my own family, though. I am a single 24-year old Christian woman that is putting these things into practice in my own life, so that, Lord willing, when I do get married and have a family I can please my husband and the Lord with my good stewardship.

Many people have different ways of doing this but my easy method is this....
1. Get a subscription to the Sunday newspaper or buy it for $1 at certain stores
2. Clip, clip, clip coupons that you might use
3. Get a coupon organizer or use a small photo album to make them easier to find
4. Go through the ads of your paper, I usually check
a. drugstores for health and beauty supplies
b. my 2 preferred grocery stores
c. and my favorite, Target
The next part is pretty obvious I suppose.
5. Look through the ads and see which places have things you need on sale and which one is cheaper. Then compare that with your coupons. Which place will save you the most money in the end? For example, who has double coupons that week? That determines most of my planning.
6. Go to the store(s) with your coupons and shopping list and shop.
7. Try not to give in to sales on things that you don't really need right now, unless it's something you can't pass up. ( I get tempted by cheap beauty products and end up with way too many sometimes, but I am set for awhile!)
8. Stay on budget and see the rewards. You will be proud of yourself and save money!
In conclusion: I saved 20% off of my grocery bill yesterday by clipping coupons. I was so proud and now I have money for savings and other bills. Remember that it really is worth the time invested into clipping and searching ads. I think having a plan and budget helps keep more temptations away when you're at the store!
Hope this helps somebody!
God bless