What I Wish I Would Have Known
After I was married I recognized some things I should have done different like the way I asked for things. Instead of saying, “Honey, would you like to help me do the dishes?” and getting hurt feelings when he answered no because he really wouldn’t like to do dishes, who does? I should have said, “Honey, I need help doing the dishes will you please come and help me?”. Big lesson learned there! I wont tell you what I say now to get him to do things for me because if he got wind of it it would all be over! (If you want me to tell you my secret please email me!) Then the kids came and the same thing has happened. I should have done this and that. Well as most things in our lives we all have “should have” moments. Once we gain experience we typically see a better way of doing things. That is what learning is all about.
We really don’t want to spend too much time in the should have world because it can get us down. I have a great friend who taught me this response to the should have’s, Stop should-ing on yourself! I thought a great way to help us stop the shoulding would be to touch on some of the things you wish you would have known or done different in the beginning of your coupon experiences. This way we can all combine our knowledge in hopes of helping one another learn and have less should’s and more success!
The biggest thing I struggle overcoming is the fear that the store will be out of the things I need/want. Sometimes I make items into a need when they are really only a WANT. (I NEED to have a year supply of T.P. RIGHT NOW or we will not survive the apocalypse!!!!) I wish I would have understood and had more faith in the beginning that things really do go on sale over and over again. If I miss it this time don’t FREAK out! It will come on sale in a few weeks. It really is okay!
Do you have a great way to deal with this kind of anxiety? Feel free leave it in the comments of this post.
What are the things YOU wish you would have known when you started? Please email your submissions to theobsessiveshopper@live.com. You never know I may have a little drawing for a gift at the end of the month for all who participate!
Oh, and don’t forget to join the Fun With Food Storage Live Chat on Thursday night at 7 pm Mountain Standard Time. It will be a great group therapy session to get over our “should haves”. LOL
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Filed under: Getting Started, Info
When I was first married i would come home from shopping and say “look how much I saved on these things” My husband would just roll his eyes and walk out of the room.
Now when I go grocery shopping and use coupons to buy the things we need to get by I have proof of the savings in the reciept. Money that would have otherwise been wasted goes in a pennies jar at the end of the month we use it for a family play time. One last thing last month when I went shopping I always use coupons I ended up walking out of walmart with a $25.00 gift card. I saved so much they gave me money back. Husband was VERY happy
I’m still in “start” mode….i’m gathering all in my info and getting myself out the door…
Finally actually even thinking about getting started…thanks to your awesome sites!
But to deal w/ the anxiety…. a pound of Godiva Chocolate and a 6-pack of Diet Coke should do the trick…works every time. ♥
Thanks for the advice. This comes in handy for many facets of life. I actually learned one lesson from trial and error that you do NOT need to subscribe to a coupon/shopper saver website, there are lots of great coupon blogs and websites out there. This one is one of them, I also am just starting to like Bargain Moms site: http://bargainmoms.blogspot.com/. Although, there is a lot to be said for being the wife of a grocer. We get 10% on Kroger brands, and that makes the savings even higher. This week I had about $27 in coupons, not such a feat, but ended up saving about $150 total! Make it fun, and I would totally recommend subscribing to the Sunday paper. However, another little tip since we don’t ALWAYS have to shop each week, and sometimes we won’t NEED the coupons each week, you can pick them up at the grocery store, etc. Also many free publications have coupons from time to time, like here in AZ, the Arizona Republic has coupons in it once or twice a month.
I’m still in start mode too, but I “should have” started a long time ago. So I guess what I wish I would have known is that it’s better to just pick up my feet and get moving, even if it’s slowly, than to put it off for the someday that never comes.
I am also just starting to use coupons. i wish I had given them a chance sooner. I always figured they weren’t for me, because I do so much cooking from scratch, and I thought I could nearly always get store brands cheaper than a name brand with a coupon. But I know some ladies who swear to me that coupons are worth the effort, so I am going to give them a chance. The worst that could happen is that I will waste a little time saving a few dollars. And if I am lucky, I may become a convert. lol
I’ve just been using this coupon system for a month or two, but I already discovered a “should have”. I should have read all the fine print on every coupon and sales flyer before getting in the checkout line at the drugstore yesterday! You can’t rely on the cashier to process everything correctly, and you need to speak up right away if you notice something rang up incorrectly. It’s frustrating to walk out of the store, then realize you spent more than you should have!
I use a coupon system – I modified yours – since we don’t eat a lot of packaged foods anymore. Also, it drives my hubster nuts but , I keep a running list on the fridge – we do like it uncluttered but if I don’t write it down when I use the last (or next to last) I don’t remember….That has helped a Huge Amount.
I used to get all wigged out about not getting to the store in time to get the best deal on XYZ but I’ve learned to let go and let God. Meaning – If I get there Yeah if not – that item will go on sale again and I’ll make sure I get there then. And I always ask for a raincheck.
I agree with Leigh about reading the sales flyers though – And if its possible I try to shop when the kids are in school or at night when they are in bed – just because I don’t need the distraction at the register.
We have been only using coupons for a couple of months. My only regret so far is that I didn’t find you sooner! It has been so great! My husband is even totally into it with me!! Actually he is usually then one that does the register part!!
I do have the same anxiety as you though! And to make it worse our stores are 40 min. away so we only get down there once a week. The first time we went actually was probably the worst as far as the stores being out of everything. I have tried to relax but when there is something I am out of and really need/or want. I get a little antsy!
I wish I had known that there were so many other people interested in food storage! I am not a LDS member (though my great aunt was) and I didn’t realize how many wonderful blogs and sites are available! My wonderful husband is not particularly supportive of the concept of food storage so it is particularly helpful to know that I am part of a large group of people living providently!
One of the biggest things I learned is to know the coupon policy of your store. I shop mainly at Publix in Florida. You are allowed to combine a Publix coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon and also a competitor’s coupon. This amounts to using 3 coupons sometimes on an item. I often get things for free or for only pennies this way. Also take advantage of rainchecks. If they do not have an item that is on sale, I get a raincheck and then use the sale price when I get a coupon. This is especially useful when an item goes on buy one get one and I don’t have a coupon. Then I can wait and get it on an even better deal. (Also check to see how many coupons you can use with BOGOs. My store lets me use one coupon per item, even if it is BOGO.)