"Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery a lot more comfortable." — Bumper sticker
Money — or the lack thereof — is a major source of stress. Until we go back to the bartering system or introduce a kind of "no money" system as in Star Trek, we will stressed out about money for a long time to come. One of the ways to save what little money you have is clipping coupons from advertising circulars. (In England, coupons are called vouchers — just in case any British readers wonder what I’m talking about). But sometimes what money you save in coupon clipping you can add to your frayed nerves. Here’s a look at low stress coupon clipping.
Have A Place To Keep Them Organized
Don’t just cut out a bunch and stuff them in an envelope in your purse or glove compartment. I did that in my twenties and it was a real pain. I’d have to go through the mini mountain of coupons each and every time I’d walk into a store. When I was really tired, I just couldn’t be bothered tangling with the clipped coupon mountain.
Get a little box — a recipe box or even a shoebox. Get little dividers for it in there somehow. These could just be three by five or five by seven cards (however big your box is). Write names of the various groups of foods you buy at the tops of these cards. It doesn’t have top be perfect — just something you can easily grab and root around in. I keep my coupon box in the kitchen.
Coupon 101
You don’t need to add a part-time job clipping coupons to your already overcrowded schedule. And if it gets too stressful, just forget it!
- You don’t have to cut out every coupon you come across
- Only cut out coupons for things you usually buy
- Check the expiration dates before clipping — many now expire in less than one month, even when they are just published. If you don’t need to buy it by the expiration date, forget it
- Try to use coupons only at stores that double them
- See if the brand you usually buy is a lot cheaper than the item the coupon is for — even after the coupon savings is taken off.
- If you decide you don’t want to use a coupon you brought, just leave it on the store shelf, preferably on top of the product it’s for. There — you’ve practiced a random act of kindness. Doesn’t that feel good?
- Once a month, or every other month, when you are trying to avoid doing something else, flip through your box of coupons to glean out the ones that have expired. This will save you some embarrassment at the check out line.
Hope this helps.
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