Photo Credit: Paul Swansen @ Flickr
As a practicing transcendentalist, I have found that couponing brings about a sense of peace and tranquility, especially when I think about how my family can be nutritionally fed for the next millennium without stepping one foot inside a grocery store. The sense of personal satisfaction (mostly due to the fact that I NEVER pay retail, ever!) brings about moments of pure bliss. And when venturing into my stockpile room and choose ingredients to make a different menu, it can sometimes reduce me to tears. I never worry about last-minute purchases as we have plenty, in stock and available to use. Not only are we a family that hums like the universal ‘om’, we can sleep well at night knowing that whatever the day brings we are prepared; food and toiletries will never be relegated to last minute and stressful budget-busting scrambles at the grocery store.
Yes, it pays to have that peace, but it wasn’t always this way. I too had to learn the lessons that I am about to embark upon you, good reader. How is this possible? Take a look below:
- Research: This takes time, but like most things in the universe, you have to put in the work to get the rewards. Find out what your family uses consistently, as in items that are weekly purchases, monthly or yearly, when you know what you need you can now start keeping those frugal eyes of yours, scanning sales with a couponing lens. Buy a binder to help keep track of these items; make the first section your ‘weekly’ divider, then ‘monthly’ and so forth. Also keep those clear plastic sheets to store those clipped coupons, those items you find and know at some point you may want to use.
- Online Searches: one of the great benefits of modern technology is of course the advent of the internet, especially for someone like myself who doesn’t mind staying up until three in the morning to find that one last discount. A site that I go to time and time again is: Overstock.com Coupons where I can find all kinds of items; food, clothing, office supplies and my meditation candles. Nothing feels as good as money saved.
- Charitable Works: yes, sometimes I’ve heard of some extreme couponers taking advantage of the system; buying items they never use or so many that they could never consume it in three lifetimes, but this is where my spiritual couponing guide helps me achieve my role in the universe as not just one who purchases necessities like food and sustenance but gives back to my community as well. I am proud to say that I’ve given thousands of pounds of food to my local food bank, my children’s schools as well as the little league concessions. The truth is that it’s great for my karmic sensibilities and they are always grateful to receive these items.
Yes, I’ve become a couponer and I’m not afraid to admit to the amazing savings I’ve found in the process, but the best part is tucking my children in at the end of the day, knowing they are well-fed and their needs are not only met, but we as a family have the peace and comfort of living within our means, not over-extending our credit cards to buy the latest and greatest item when the truth is, nothing can be greater than the love of family.
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