One comment I hear over and over at my workshops is “I just don’t know where to begin”. It is usually not that people don’t see the benefits of couponing, but rather they don’t know how to kick those benefits into a reality in their own lives.
“Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.”
Proverbs 24:6
We understand that in order to win (and be successful) we must have a “strategic plan” AND in order to have a strategic plan we must acquire “good counsel”. How do we acquire good counsel? Read up on couponing tips, time-saving techniques, and learn what is acceptable couponing behavior. (By this I mean; ask yourself if the action is one you would want someone to use on you, if you owned the store.) Search the internet to see what couponers, stores, and manufacturers are saying about couponing. Also use trustworthy websites to find the best deals available. Don’t limit your savings to food items. Include clothing item deals.
Time2saveworkshops.com will help you find the latest on all the deals with their “retail roundup”. Another good place to pick up coupon codes for miscellaneous items is retailmenot.com.Always listen to what successful people say about using money wisely. Take in the counsel, then plan your strategy.
“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourselves in the field, and after that build your house.”
Proverbs 24:27
Preparing your work outside requires gaining counsel and knowledge about couponing, before diving in. Once you have done this it is time to get ready by preparing your strategy. What should your strategy consist of:
GOAL: What are you planning to achieve through couponing? (Reduced debt, More Food, Building a Savings, Helping the Needy, etc…) Once you determine this you have created a goal to strive for.
BUDGET: Next, you will need to determine what it will take to meet your goal. For example, helping the needy. Determine a set amount you would like to give towards this ministry. Why is this important? We can give beyond our budget thus creating lack in our own households. Even a truckload of great deals can add to excessive spending. All the deals don’t usually fall in 1 week. You will get more for less if you space this out. If you determine to give $80 a month, divide the weekly amount in fourths to stay within your fixed budget.
Plan short term goals as well as long term goals. Short term—what do I want to accomplish this month. (This could be pay off a doctor bill, put back $100 in savings, etc…)Long term—what do I want to accomplish by the end of this year. (Pay off a small loan, take a family vacation, have $1000 emergency fund).
ORGANIZATION: What will it take to set your plan in action? You will need to prepare your coupon organization system in a manner that is convenient and time efficient to meet your specific needs. A binder system is the most efficient way to organize your coupons. (See more on website about this) Next, you will need to prepare a space to house your bargains (shelving, freezer, etc..). Don’t wait until you load up. Advance preparation is a form of preparing for your harvest.
BUILDING YOUR HOUSE: I want to give you 8 basic steps to planning your shopping trip without creating stress. A builder who has all his tools in one place before starting will find his task quicker and easier to accomplish. Here are your steps to success:
1. KEEP A RUNNING NEEDS LIST—Transfer this to your shopping list every week, marking it off the posted list once you have purchased it.(Keep a magnetic pad on fridge for posting needs)
2. CHECK THE ADDS OR INTERNET WEBSITES TO SEE IF ANY ITEMS ON YOUR NEEDS LIST ARE ON SALE AT THE STORES YOU PLAN TO SHOP AT—Match any coupons you might have to these needed items.
3. LIST ITEMS THAT ARE LOW COST STOCKPILE ITEMS OR THAT YOU WANT TO ADD TO YOUR STOCKPILE THAT YOU HAVE A COUPON FOR---Determine how many you will need to add
4. PLACE YOUR COUPONS IN YOUR EXPANDABLE POUCH ---Keep all coupons in pouch behind the store you will shop at; this way all your shopping strategy is in one place and ready for the trip.
5. TALLY UP THE TOTAL COST---You should be within a couple of dollars. This is very important because many times things will scan incorrectly and we could be paying more than we should have to. It is policy of Kroger’s and Publix to give you 1 of the items that scanned wrong for free.
6. PLAN YOUR TRIP---Remember the closer to the times the ad is first released, the better chance you have of finding an in-stock item. Sales start on Sunday for Kroger’s, Walgreen’s, Rite-aid, and others. Sales start on Wed. for Publix and Food Lion. Sales start on Sat. for CVS. (CVS will have 2 sales running on Saturdays after 4:00 P.M.—due to the fact they overlap by 1 day) (This may vary at different CVS's)
7. BRING HOME THE BARGAINS---Add to your inventory making sure to put the items that having a longer expiration date to the back.
Every week I take a look at the ads that appear in the Sunday paper, circling the items I know to be good deals that I know I have a coupon for. If the item is a BOGO deal I jot down the ½ price of what is states the value is (this is what you will be paying for each at the grocery stores) on the ad beside the item. If it is a drug store bogo I will use the internet websites to find out the prices of these items.
Upcoming Events—
Murfreesboro, TN
(YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT—THIS IS MY NEW 5 PART TEACHING SERIES. YOUR IN FOR A TREAT AS WE DISCOVER WHAT GOD HAS TO TELL US CONCERNING OUR FINANCES & SHOPPING—HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!)
Changing Your Life Through Couponing(An in depth 5 part teaching series taught by Ann from a Biblical Life Application Perspective)
When: Wed. Feb 1, and every Wed. night through Feb. 29
Time: 6:30-7:45 PM
Where:Family Worship Center, 1503 Sulpher Springs Rd., Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Cost: $40 per person ( spouse is free). Cost includes a $15 Study Guide/Workbook (68 Page detailed with review sections and answer key) and all 5 sessions. Fee must be paid at the door on Feb. 1 for all 5 sessions.
See what others are saying about this workshop in this promo video or on Ann's website at
annhaney.com —
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVs4iiE6Zzg
FREE Level 1 Coupon Workshop
Sat. Feb. 25
9-11 AM
Midland Heights Baptist Church
2706 Midland Rd
Shelbyville, TN 37160
If you are interested in scheduling a presentation at your church contact me at ann@livinginabundancecouponing.com
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