Welcome to Centsable Savings Stories and Struggles! This week, Kristi from Spend Less and Save More is sharing her story.
I am not new to bargain shopping. My mother likes to say it is in my blood as my father is on a first name basis with the cashiers at their local grocery stores. While I have always looked for deals, it really did not become essential until my husband and I made the decision for me to become a full-time mom, and leave my career as a teacher.
Going down to one income was not easy for this label-conscious mom of two! I had to teach myself to cut corners and find deals if I wanted to still wear name brand clothes and go on the occasional shopping trip. My secret? Thrift stores and yardsales. I had no idea on the kinds of beautiful clothes I could purchase for myself and my children for rock bottom prices. My first trip to a local goodwill, I scored an Ann Taylor Dress in my size for $4.59!! It was like new. Since then, I can’t tell you the number of name brand items I have found, some with tags still attached!! I have also learned to shop for clothing deals by purchasing them in the off season. Kohls is a great place to find previous season clothes for 70% off, and Gymboree is a steal when you find older lines that are going out of season.
Since I have young children, toys are something that can really break the bank if you are on a budget. If you were to go in my kids’ playroom, I’d say 80% are previously used toys. I have learned to look for previously loved toys in great condition at yardsales & through Craigslist. I might have to use some elbow grease to get them looking like new, but to little kids, they never know the difference! Once they have outgrown their toys, we recycle them once more by donating or reselling.
Grocery shopping has been the most challenging adventure for me. My family likes to eat well. We like fresh veggies and a healthy supply and variety of fruit, neither of which come cheap. I cook, but mostly in the “semi-homemade” style, not from scratch. I know if I learned to cook from scratch I could save a bit more money, but I am just not ready to make that plunge! So for now, I buy what I can when it is on sale & when I have a coupon. I’ve learned the value of growing my own veggies in the summer, purchasing produce at Aldi’s or at a local farmer’s market, & buying frozen veggies, instead of canned.
When it comes to couponing, I do have my act together. I have learned through fellow bloggers and various websites, how to get the most out of my grocery coupons (matching sales w/ coupons) and usually spend far less than 50% of my original total. It takes planning & organization and the cooperation from your family not to buy on impulse. I can’t tell you the number of items I have gotten for free because of combining coupons with sales and how it has opened up avenues in my life that would have otherwise not been there, like the ability to donate food to those in need & teach those struggling, how to shop for the best deals. Maybe it is the teacher in me, but I feel empowered by knowledge and enjoy sharing what I know with others through my blog.
Each week I feature a different shopper’s story. Centsable Savings Stories are the stories of people just like you who are working toward reducing their budgets, bargain hunting, living a more frugal lifestyle and constantly learning along the way. If you are interested in sharing your family’s successes and struggles, please contact me at becentsable[at]gmail [dot]com. Bloggers and non-bloggers are both welcome to participate. Click here to read the stories of shoppers featured in the past.
