Patience Gets You a Dyson

I have been waiting years for this beauty to become a member of our family. And my sweet hubby got it for me last week (the day I started getting sick, no less). Yay!

However, since this is a money saving blog I thought I would share how I got my Dyson. I have been 'saving my pennies' for a long time for one of these babies. In eleven years we have purchased 3 vacuums. They would have paid for two Dysons! My husband and I decided a long time ago that we would not make purchases without having the money first. We just don't put things on credit because we want them. We do have a credit card though. And I like to earn points for rewards so after we have the money saved up for a purchase we put the charge on the card to earn points but when the bill comes there is no scrambling to pay the balance. We already have the money saved for it.

Anyhoo, I got off track for a minute. So yes we had been saving for a better vacuum. In fact, my current vacuum (which I bought 4 years ago for $250 at Sears) was only surviving thanks to heavy duty nail glue. I was hoping it would last another day...until I found a great deal for a Dyson. Finally!

Last week Kohl's was having one of their fabulous 30% off sales when you used your Kohl's card, PLUS $10 Kohl's cash back for each $50 you spent. I knew we had to jump on this...especially since I knew my vacuum might not last another week. When my hubby came home he actually spent almost the same amount as our last vacuum! We got $60 Kohl's cash back which is welcome since hubby and me are in need of clothes and shoes. So our end total WITH TAX was only $273. I was so happy.

I remember seeing better deals a few years ago and I wished I would have jumped on them then but that was then and this is now. I haven't seen a better deal in quite awhile unless you count those factory reconditioned Dysons. And those sell for close to the same price to what I paid! Patience does pay off. It gives peace of mind too.

A Dyson is one of those things I think are worth paying for. Watch for more items I think are worth paying for in an upcoming post.

Has waiting for a big purchase paid off for you?

Patience Gets You a Dyson

Couponing: Is it dominating your life?

There is more to life than couponing!

Additionally, there is more to saving money and being thrifty than just couponing. Don't get me wrong...couponing is a good thing and can save us lots of money. And I coupon on a regular basis.

But there is a point where couponing can get out-of-control obsessive....where we are buying things we don't really need, buying too much of things we do need, and spending valuable time running around when we could be doing other things.

At this busy time in my life I am having to choose to cut some of my couponing time out and spend more time in other areas of my life. Have you felt this way before? If you do, please know that there are many ways to save money, cut back on expenses, and live frugally besides couponing.

1. Menu plan. By sticking to a meal plan and buying only what is necessary, you can cut at least 30% off your monthly grocery bill.
2. Don't buy extras. Do you really need that box of crackers or that bag of chips? Nope. Skip the packaged snacks and you will also save big.And not just your wallet...but your hips too.
3. Don't always be on the go. Just because there are good deals doesn't mean you have to hit every one. Stay home more often and you will cut not only your gasoline bill but your wallet will thank you.
4. Skip eating out. The average family eats out at least twice a week. Yikes! That adds up fast. Make homemade pizza instead.
5. Start cooking from scratch. It really doesn't take much more time. You only think it does. Give it a try.
6. Be thankful! When you appreciate what you have instead of always wanting more, you will be content and not desire more, more, more. We already have so much!

Couponing: Is it dominating your life?

How do I do it?

I have had several people ask me how I have time to always be shopping and deal hunting. I can tell you right now that I don't! Especially with baby #4 making it's entrance in the next 3 weeks.

Thanks to the internet, gone are the days of taking hours to pour over the ads to try to match up coupons. Rarely do I even look at the ads...maybe a few times a month, but certainly not every week. Because of so many online friends and websites, I am able to spend LESS time deal hunting and MORE time deal getting!

That being said, don't fret if you miss a deal or can't make it to every sale. There are always more. Hit the ones that you want the most and ones that will make a difference for your family. I also plan my trips. Even though I live in an area where I have all the stores around me, I don't have time to run out every time I hear of another deal or freebie. I usually go out once a week, maybe twice to run errands. (except for Walgreens and Albertsons because they are right by my house!) Just do what you can do and your stockpile will slowly increase....giving you a lot of satisfaction of not only getting great deals, but also being prepared for emergencies.

How do I do it?

Take your time

My blog is not only about couponing, finding deals and freebies. It's also about thrifty and smart living! Sure, I like to have a 'stockpile.' It is part of my food storage....my 3 month supply or longer even. But I only stockpile what I KNOW I will use. I learned years ago that even if something is a great deal, if I won't use it then it's still a waste of my money. You learn over time what you will use and what you think you will use. Building up a 3 month supply of items you use regularly takes some time. You hit a sale here and there, and it will happen before you know it.

Generally, if I can get free stuff I know I won't use (like toothbrushes...we use Sonic toothbrushes), I will still get some to add to my donation pile. But I still don't always get everything. For example, I am not getting any of the free after rebate items at Walgreens this month. My husband would not use the body wash and I have plenty of medicine on hand...enough for more than a year. So I will let others get those deals that could use them more than I.

I grew up in an extremely frugal household. I might even say cheap. But my parents taught me fabulous lessons that I have carried one with my family. My parents taught me that doing without is okay...in fact, is smart. When I was young I just thought they were being mean. What they were really teaching me was the value of money. They didn't buy me every little thing I wanted. And they taught by example. Very rarely did they buy things for themselves...whether it was clothing or other personal things. They didn't go on big trips. They didn't always buy the latest electronic gadget. They didn't buy new clothes on a regular basis. They taught me to "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."

In our society today, too many people want things NOW. They have no patience! It's all about me, me, me. "I deserve it," is something I hear a lot.

If you really want to get ahead, couponing, finding deals, and freebies are only a part of the story. A very small part really. Just stop spending so much! Being a smart spender or getting out of debt isn't rocket science. Just spend less that you earn. These are in no particular order, just my thoughts.

1. Start tracking your spending. This is KEY. You must know how much money you make and where it is going in order to save anything. You will be surprised how much you are spending on groceries if you don't already know.

2. Stop spending money on unnecessary things. If you really are honest with yourself, you could be spending less that you need to be in many areas. Read the highlighted link.

3. Get out of unnecessary debt. I am proud to say the only debt we have is our home loan. And, because we didn't get caught up in the whole "moving to a bigger house for really cheap" movement a few years ago we are not struggling right now like so many Americans. We have 2 cars, a van and a truck, that have been paid off for a few years. And we have no credit card debt. It is such a good feeling! Every time we purchase something for our home (even the big screen we bought last year) we pay with IN FULL at the time of payment. We always save and plan ahead. No debt!

4. Be thankful for what you have. I firmly believe that if people would be more thankful for their current situation, no matter what the case may be, we will always find ways to be thankful for what we have instead of always wanting more, more, more. Yes, deals and freebies can be addicting too, but be realistic.

5. Stop spending so much! Remember last year when I took a month off from spending? I looked at that old post and I didn't realize I forgot to post the results! It was AMAZING! I posted it on my personal blog, but copied it over to here. Read my results! (keep in mind gasoline prices were high then...)

I love keeping up this blog but it is also time consuming. Please understand that I cannot post every deal or every sale. But I will keep you informed and help you stay on track to being a smart spender!

Take your time

What can you do without?

There are always things in our life that we don't need. Yes, it is true! Expenses that we can eliminate to help us save money and get ahead. It seems impossible or even unthinkable sometimes, but it is a necessary step if you are wanting to save more money.

For example, think about those seemingly small expenditures. Purchasing that cup of coffee everyday from Starbucks. Grabbing a Diet Coke at Sonic everyday at lunchtime. Making sure you have your weekly manicure. It all adds up! Spending $3.95 a day on a cup of coffee only 5 days a week adds up to $79 a month, and $949 a year! Think about some of the things that you do....whatever they might be. Add up how much you are spending and ask yourself if you could be putting that money somewhere else.

At our house we don't have cable, dish, or satellite. In ten years of marriage we have never paid for television. I know for many people that is out of the question, but we feel it is right for us. And it has saved us thousands of dollars!

This week I challenge you to look at your expenses....see where you money is going and where you need to cut back. If you don't already use a money management program, I highly recommend one. I use Quicken, and I LOVE it. I can see at a glance where my money is going. It takes some time to record things and keep it updated, but it is worth it. We always know where we stand. Even if you have to figure it out on paper right now, do it! Even cutting out one thing can make a big difference!

What can you do without?

Patience is a virtue

One of the best qualities you can have when it comes to deals, bargain shopping or couponing is patience. You won't get anywhere if you don't have patience. Many times the best deal comes from waiting, watching, or planning. Many people don't want to do that so they just up and buy it. They don't know what they are missing!

For example, I always have an ongoing list of things that I want or need, whether big or small, cheap or expensive. Part of that list are things that I know I could find at a garage sale for a fraction of the price. After a few months of garage saleing and I still haven't found it, I can look elsewhere. A few years ago I dropped my beloved Pampered Chef chopper and it broke, although it was still usable. I kept on using it for several months until I garage saled for a bit...didn't find one, so I ended up getting one on Ebay for a good price. Over the past several years, I have been able to purchase most of the newest things on the market (food, cleaning, hygine) for free or almost free just by waiting and planning. I think it is worth it!

Whenever a new product is introduced, whether it be home cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, or food, free samples are almost always offered. Almost 100% of the time. There are always either high value coupons and/or rebate programs distributed for these items as well. When the Schick Intuition razor came out about 4 years ago, these offers were all over the place. Rebates from several stores, coupons everywhere....I think I got about 5 free razors. Take the time to wait, see what coupons are coming out and if stores like Walgreens or Rite Aid are offering rebates to sweeten the deal. You would be surprised at what offers come up sometimes.

Don't forget about checking Craigslist or your local Freecycle group for items you need as well. I have gotten so many free or cheap things from both of these places that I have saved a ton of money I would have otherwise had to spend. Last spring we really wanted a picnic table for our backyard, but I was not willing to spend $100+ for a brand new one. We kept looking on Craigslist and put a want ad on Freecycle. A little while later we found one on Craigslist for $30. With a new coat of neutral paint (that we already had) it was as good as new and for a fraction of the cost!

When your kids want toys, don't go to Toys R Us and buy it for them, take them to garage sales or thrift stores! My 7 1/2 year old has already figured out how many more books he can get with a few dollars at garage sales compared to the school book orders. It is a good way to teach them how money works, and they get the most bang for their buck! All of my kids love going to garage sales. It is a fun game to see how many items they can buy with only $1. Usually it is quite a few. Spending their own money this way is rewarding and fun! Plus it also teaches them they don't always need the newest & greatest thing out there.

As you can see, having patience with finding deals is important. Don't under-estimate the value of waiting!

Patience is a virtue