Controlling your spending.

     Saving money can be quite the challenge when you love shopping as much as I do. Every now and again if I come across what I think is a really good deal its a little hard to control myself. Lately I have been trying to go by a few rules that I have learned:

1. Do I WANT this or do I NEED this?
    Seriously think about it, how many things do we buy just because we want it. If we ask ourselves the
Need VS Want question in the store we are more then likely to cut down on our spending quite a bit.

    When it comes to doing groceries, you obviously need food but how many times do you buy things that end up in the trash because nobody eats it. If there is something new on the market that you are looking to try but are not sure you will like it, go to the companies website and look for a coupon.(If they don't have a coupon on the website call them and tell them you are interested in trying the new product and were wondering if they could send you some coupons) Since its a new product the company will be trying to push the sales so you will more then likely able to find a coupon for it.

2. How long will this last me?
    A more detailed form of this question would be "Will I still have this 4 years from now?" This question especially helps when making big purchases, such as a camera or TV. If you are going to spend a lot of money on something you want to makes sure you get the "bang for your buck"  or get your moneys worth. Even if in 2 years you try to resell you wont make the same amount you paid for it. Is it really worth the loss. To break it down even more...will this still be in working order.

3.Can I find this cheaper somewhere else?
   A few days ago I talked about shopping around for the best price and websites that will help you to find the best price.You don't want to buy something only to find the same thing later for a lot less then what you paid. So make sure what you are paying is what you think you should pay and you are not being overcharged. Remember that a lot of the things you find at stores like Macy's,Target and even Walmart most of the time when they are not sold or have minor defects they then get sent to stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Ross for a lot less then what you would have paid. So know your prices and don't ever over pay.

4. Do I have or can I find a coupon for this?
   If you think you can find a coupon for it then wait. It's better to save a little then nothing at all. Remember all those little bits you save really add up!

   So the next time you go shopping try these questions out for yourself and see if they work for you. Keep track of how many things you put back on the shelf because you realize you just don't NEED it or you can find it cheaper elsewhere!

Fabric Softener Savings (Publix)

January 20, 2011 through January 26, 2011

Snuggle liquid fabric softener (assorted varieties 32oz bottle) is on sale 2 for $6.00

Find snuggle on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Snuggle?v=app_148090738570591) and "like" them.Then they will prompt you to download a coupon. You will receive $1.00 off coupon.

With the sale and the coupon you will get 2 bottles of Snuggle (64oz) for $5.00 (only $2.50 each!)

Before we begin...

     I have always had a knack for shopping. Any excuse to head out to my favorite store- I was there. Prices weren't too high on my list of priorities. Recently I became a new mom and finding a way to save money and spend less on everyday need was a must!
     So I started to do my research, reading up on extreme couponing and ways of being frugal. It really got me thinking "I can do this". What I noticed when I read up on extreme couponing was that these moms were saving so much money on groceries because grocery stores in the states they are in will double coupons up to $1 (If you have a coupon that is $0.75 off the store will match it so you get $1.25 off). Unfortunately for those up us moms in South Florida neither Publix, Winn-Dixie,Walmart, or Target will double coupons. So while we wont be able to get a $600 grocery receipt down to $4.00, we can still find great ways to save money!
    I will let you know now that I am no expert when it comes to couponing. But I hope for my family's sake to become one. So I am starting to blog to share in my on going experience on the journey to savings and so much more. I hope you will join me!