We are all aware a recession has infiltrated our culture. Many have been unfavorably affected by the economy. Those of us who haven’t – can likely name a number of friends/family who have suffered extended job loss, significant hits to their wallet, changes in real estate ownership and of course – emotional turmoil that results from the added stress of income reduction or even frequent dismal news reports.
We are blessed – my husband has remained consistently employed. Commissions may be down - but income has at least been steady. Sadly, it’s easy to adapt a dismissive mindset when one’s world has not been rocked by the perils of unemployment. Even though we have friends and family who are among the nightly financial statistics, we can slip into financial ambivalence. I’m not pointing fingers here – except at “myself.”
A few years ago, when my children were all still “children” – and my primary occupation was “stay at home Mom” - I was a coupon fiend! More than once, the person who lined up behind me at Publix/Kroger regretted their presumption. Sure, my cart may have given the impression that the transaction was almost complete; what they didn’t notice was the stack of coupons in the hands of the cashier. Oh yeah – I know what it means to be a “Coupon Queen.”
Now, no longer with “little ones” in the home – my “outside the home calling” necessitates a significant number of available hours in a day. (No complaints – I love it – and it’s exactly where I should be!) Ironically, now it seems easier to spend funds out of convenience. Honestly, some days – it’s not convenience, but simply pure exhaustion. Lately, my lax spending has convicted me.
At times it seems current shopping habits negate any “financial benefit” of the present calling. As someone who prides herself on never spending full price for clothes and accessories – my frugality has grown slack in the weekly necessities. OUCH.
Tonight’s organizational endeavor is tied to COUPONS! Quick google searches have resulted in numerous “methods” for categorizing grocery coupons. With complete transparency, this is not a brand new conviction. In late fall, when hubby and I got away for a week, the accumulation of coupons (including the expired ones) were packed and transported, with the greatest of organizational intentions. OOPS – a few were “clipped” while at the beach – but attention was immediately turned to one of the several “Christian growth” books that were in the same bag! (That’s one issue – biting off more than one could conceivably chew – even on VACATION!)
So, in the same spirit of “transparency” – here’s a photo of my actual, current coupon collection – providing absolutely no financial benefit while expired and stuffed in a bag! UGH .
An “After” photo will follow… in the meantime; assume this is what’s happening at the Holley Home: Coupon Reorg 101!!!! (Most likely with a movie in the background – organizing must be enjoyable to be sustained!)
- Organizing coupons by category and expiration date – in a large binder with baseball card sleeves (all purchased pre-November vacation!)
- Discarding any and all coupons that reached expiration prior to NOW
- Duplicates placed in the same “card sleeve” – with the coupon expiring first – on top
It’s about time this long-overdue and “unnoticed by others” project reaches completion (or at least commences!) Why should ANYONE pay more than necessary for groceries? DUH!
We could ALL find better, more rewarding ways to spend those dollars!
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