Shopping with a Plan

Personal Note from Clyrese

Proverbs 31: 18 "She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night." (Contemporary English Version)

July 2014 is when I married the love of my life.  Before then, I was a single mother for 11 years. I moved out of my mom's house when I was 24.  While I lived with my mom I spent what I want, how I wanted, and paid bills when I wanted.  Did I save?  Of course I didn't.  Did I have a budget? Yeah right? What is a budget?  When I moved out, with my son, on my own, then lost my job, I didn't know how to financially survive.  Yes I made sure needs where met.  But I wasn't taking care of me.  I didn't make sure bought something that I wanted.  When I did I felt guilty.  I felt guilty because there are so many things we needed.

November 2009 I got a job. Then I made sure I got the things I wanted.  I found myself robbing Peter to pay Paul.  Have you ever heard of that saying?

May 2012 I gave my life back to God.  And made a conscience decision to serve Him.  Aug 2013 I asked God to show me how I handle my money better.  I was tired. He showed me how to pay my tithes (Malachi 3:8), catch up on my bills, budget my money, and save for short and long term.

Let's get real...

As a woman I love shoes, purses, and most importantly getting my hair and nails done bi-weekly.  I can't leave my son out, he has to have a hair cut bi-weekly too.  That is what I love!  I didn't want to do without and refused to.  But when the going got tough the money to do these things was scarce.  I was forced to do without.  That hurt!

One day in August I sat down and calculated the amount of money I made monthly from my job only and how much my expenses were monthly.  I made well over enough to pay my expenses, save, and buy what I wanted as well as what I needed.  I had to learn how to cut corners by looking at the weekly advertisements, clipping coupons, and signing up for email blasts so I could catch those savings.  It takes some time to do all these things.  But it is well worth it when was saving $100 or more per month.

Saving and Shopping

 If your like me, you love to cook.  I don't mean cooking the same things over and over again.  I mean really cooking.  Things like Caribbean and, recently, Asian food is my specialty.  My family and I love it.  Pinterest is literally my best friend. :-) When your just starting out buying the ingredients needed for the meals can be expensive.  Here are some tips to help  you begin saving on your grocery bill.  You can also apply some of these tips in other areas such as clothes, shoes, etc.



Step 1: Preparing Your List

What I started to do is create a menu every month (or week how ever you shop) and I would buy according to the menu.  I shop twice per month.  In the beginning of the month I purchase all my meats for the following month and the other things the at the end of the month.  Also, every week I buy the things we eat all the time (eggs, milk, bread, and bottled water)  I know... you may think bottled water.  That's not saving.  Hey, I won't drink water otherwise.  I'm weird like that. :-)

My calendar helps me create my very important shopping list.  Shopping lists are important because it gives you a guideline on what you have to buy.  It also helps you remember everything your house needs and what you need to prepare your fabulous meal.

Step 2: Where's the best sales

Every week the mail man clutters your mailbox with ads from the surrounding super markets.  You probably through them away because you shop at one store every week.  I did.  Well, instead of throwing them away look in them.  Compare their prices to the items you usual by at your favorite grocery story.  You will be amazed at how much you will save by shopping around.

I like to shop at two or three stores.  I have two favorite stores for my meat.  If I don't feel like going to one, i'll go to the other.  I have a favorite spot for my fruits and vegetables.  If someone has a better sale I'll deviate.  IN A HEART BEAT!

I love the idea that budgetmama.com had.  Grab your shopping list.  On your list write the price of a regular item you buy how much it would normally cost at your favorite grocery store.  When you get to the store write down how much it cost.  When you get home calculate everything.  You will see how much you save.

Before you begin your shopping don't take your visa/debit card with you.  Leave it home.  Instead stop by the bank or ATM machine and withdraw the exact amount of money you need.  This will prevent you from over spending.

Coupon Apps- My Second Bff

I have an email just for coupons.  This idea came from someone at church.  So when I am out or someone needs a coupon for something I can send it right to them, from my mobile device, and share the savings.  I also know when different stores are having sales.  For example, my son made honor roll this last marking period.  So to award him for his hard work my husband and I getting him a pair of sneakers anything he wants, no price limit.  I am keeping a close eye on Footaction and Foot Locker for their sales via email or Retail me Not.

Another app that is helpful is Groupon.  This app lets me know when companies and restaurants have sales.  This one is different from Retail Me Not because they only have a certain amount of coupons available.  So, once they are sold out, you can no longer able to use it.  With Groupon you can take advantage of things like vacation getaways, restaurants, Yoga, etc.

I love coupons.  It helps me buy the things I love and things that are helpful.

Let's Talk...

Share with us some other ways that you save money?  Do you know of any other helpful apps?