by Ben Sissom

Created on: January 27, 2009

Are savings from coupons worth the trouble of collecting them?

Every Sunday morning I bounce out of bed, rush through the front door to get my copy of the paper praying it will be filled with coupons. Not exactly, but I do look forward to the savings the coupons provide for my family. Coupons are worth collecting but the Sunday paper isn't the only viable option. Coupons can now be found on-line (printable) and through several websites. Searching for coupons does take time but the payoff is worth it especially if you watch the sales.

Websites like Little Miss know it all and Coupon Mom help direct you not only where online coupons are located but also what stores locally are giving the best deals. They track the coupons, know the stores and watch when you don't have time. On the Little Miss Know it all website she does a blog once a week called "If I had $10, What do I buy?". In this feature it breaks down the local stores, sales and coupons that can help you get a lot for your ten dollars.

Watching sales, clipping coupons and printing them on-line aren't the only way coupons work. It is an investment in savings not a get rich quick scheme. Building a stockpile of coupons that are replenished week after week allows you to buy items on sale and in bulk. Receiving savings from the coupons but also preventing your family from purchasing these items at retail prices later in the month. An example of this would be toothpaste. If you have several toothpaste coupons, plus the store has them buy one get one free then why not buy several? Purchasing them at once will save you money now and later.

Collecting coupons is a choice that as the economy worsens and our families tighten their budgets will become easier. Now when I go to the grocery store it hurts my heart if I don't take coupons with me. The total comes up and I know deep down that I can do nothing to reduce it. With coupons it is exciting to see your total reduce coupon after coupon. Each week our family tries to beat the savings.

To reach the savings it took getting organized. Grocery trips would frustrate me because it would take forever to find the coupon I was looking for, then I would over look some not getting my total savings. Organizing and reducing the stress had to be done in order for me to commit to the coupon way of life. Now I have a binder with clear baseball card sheets inside. In the baseball card slots I put my coupons. Binders are a much easier way to contain and utilize the coupons while shopping.

If you do not have time to clip the coupons each week, put them aside. Some months I only go grocery shopping twice a month. Before you go sit down with your scissors and cut them out. Once the habit is in place you will not want to go without them. Saving money is addicting. It may not be savings of $100 per week but it could easily be $100 a month or more. What family doesn't need extra cash in this economic times?

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