Guest Post by Amanda Elizabeth from Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coupons
If anyone had told me a year ago that I would run a 5K, I would have laughed. Not only would it have been hard to believe I would ever run for fun, but the investment of running clothes, accessories (iPod arm strap, anyone?), and especially the shoes, was a little overwhelming for my fresh-out-of-college budget.
Enter…Couponing!
For anyone who thinks that couponing is a ball and chain that consumes any semblance of free time, I’m here to tell you I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this new hobby without couponing. Here are a few reasons why…
1. Couponing frees up money from other budget categories.
If I only spend $10 on groceries instead of my budgeted $20, that’s $10 I can put in my “running” saving fund.
2. Couponing changes your mindset.
My limited budget forces me to be creative, and I look for deals on everything now. I bought my running clothes from Plato’s Closet using a Groupon. Thanks to Swagbucks, I will even buy my next pair of running shoes using Amazon gift cards.
3. Couponing opens up a whole new world.
Before coupons, I would have pushed off exploring a new interest because I couldn’t afford it. Now, I get to experience new things and save money!
The best part? I only coupon for an average of two hours a week! The most time-consuming part is clipping the coupons on Sundays, which takes about an hour. It is usually turns into a family affair while we watch tv. The other hour is spent in short spurts throughout the week as I check my email for daily deals, flip through the circulars, and check my favorite money-saving websites.
Many people think that couponing is too time consuming to have any real payoff. For me, couponing is a tool that has allowed me to enjoy doing new things I never would have been able to afford otherwise.
Amanda Elizabeth is a follower of Christ, lover of flowers, babies, and saving money. She blogs about food allergies, frugality, and the importance of living simply at Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Coupons.
I stock up a bit.( Not to the extent of the Organized Hoarders TV show) Then use my stocks. There will always be another sale. If I stay out of the store I spend less. Works for me.
I love incorporating my couponing into my runs and bike rides – it’s not really worth it to me to use up my gas on a special trip to get one or two freebies, but it is so fun to run or bike to walgreens or target to get free stuff – it makes my exercise feel productive instead of paying for time on the treadmill. 🙂
Love this article. Just a few tips I have picked up along my running journey.
-Don’t forget coupons for clothing and shoes. If you kids are in a public school with a gym class, sometimes coaches have coupons for discounted shoes from Dicks and other retailers. Usually they hand the coupon back to you if it doesn’t expire soon so you can use it for someone else as well. (you can also sometimes get these coupons for recreational sports teams/leagues)
– Regarding shoes, I second the comment about good ones. Also, don’t be afraid to stop into those trendy running boutiques. Last summer I scored two pairs of shoes on a buy one get one FREE sale making each pair around $50. They were closing out the models and needed the space.
-If you shoes fail before they should (seams come undone, heels bunch up, bottoms come off) look to see if the brand has a trade in program. Nike has a great program where if your shoes are defective, they send you an online gift certificate to replace them with.
– Hit up local thrift stores for workout apparel. I have scored some amazing deals on dry-fit shirts, running spandex, Nike shorts, sweats, and a bright colored sweatshirt. Don’t just look in the “active” section… look through the shirts, sleepwear, sweats sections, and even the opposite genders sections. Depending on your size, hit up the kids or tweens section as well.
-Along with the shoes, invest in a good sports bra. I personally like Targets Champion line. I find they hold up really well.
Happy running :)!
You are my couponing hero.
Haha, thanks Annie! Get better soon and I can come teach you how to coupon…I’ve been working on getting the process even more streamlined, and I would like to see how my methods work for a homeschool mom of 4. 🙂
I believe that couponing has changed my mindset drastically. It has taught me patience in my purchases…why by something full price now if I can probably by it in a month or so for half as much or less? I don’t impulse buy as much – I wait for coupons, sales or for it to show up at the thrift store. Once you know you can buy almost everything for less it becomes quite shameful to pay retail. That is why couponing is more valuable than the value of the coupons alone!
As a runner, I love this post! I agree with Amy Lauren above- Target has great workout clothes. I’ve been running since I was 12- so almost 15 years- and have some running clothes from Target from high school that are still in good shape. 🙂 One area of running apparel that I suggest you don’t skimp on (even if you don’t consider yourself to be a real runner) is running shoes. Good shoes will get you far, help prevent injuries, and last longer than the cheap ones. Plus, if you find a style that fits for you, do some online research to figure out when the new model comes out and then check online realtors (I like Running Warehouse) for clearance deals the month before the new model arrives. I get my $100 shoes for 30-40% off that way! Also, if you like races–sign up as early as you can, since the entry fees usually go up the closer it gets to the race.
I got my running shoes from the Nike Outlet at a local mall. They fit really well, and I’ll be getting the same style when these wear out…but I’m hoping to get them off of Amazon instead and pay less than $86.
that’s great! 🙂
I love it! Couponing dosen’t have to take tons of time…and the rewards are amazing! Thanks for sharing! Coupons have allowed me to stay home full time with my little blessings;)
http://www.alighterjourney.com/2012/01/18/making-it-workcutting-expenses-to-stay-home/
Some very good points but for me I have to spend more than 2 hours a week keeping my coupons organized. Some weeks I put more time into the effort of coupon organizing and some weeks zero effort into couponing (that’s when I live off what I have already in my pantry). I have 4 kiddos to provide for and I thinks of couponing as my “part time job” but for me saving money is more about just surviving and staying in budget month to month. I personally dream of a day when I do not have to coupon to stay in budget because couponing is hard work. For me personally, couponing is a huge job and takes more than 2 hours a week but I use the binder method because I like having everything ready in case I find a good deal when shopping. I may use more coupons than other people so that is why I may spend more time organizing but I really don’t know. I prefer not to use a clipping service because I found for me that route did not work–I seem to miss some deals I wanted very much waiting for coupons or forgetting to order them. With my busy schedule it easier to put buying newspapers on my planner and just get them on Sunday am.
I agree with the writer that couponing does allow me to save money and use it elsewhere but for me it means staying in budget or occasionally buying a treat or taking my kids to the dollar movie. My hobbies are trying to figure out how I can stretch my funds to buy the basics and to spend the minimal OOP. For example, I needed to lose weight for health reasons, the least expensive way was to consult with my physician, and research the internet about diet and exercise. Over the last 7 months I have exercised and dieted, now I am almost to goal weight by portion controlling and walking every day. I also lift weights–home made weights! The creative part has been redoing my wardrobe every few weeks. I got very creative about having clothes that look nice (because I am a professional) and fit. Last summer Kohl’s had a big clearance sale so I “bought ahead” basic clothes in different smaller sizes spending less than $20 on 19 items of clothing. These clothes lasted me most of the fall and winter. Proudly, I will not be able to wear them next winter. I continue to “buy ahead”. I made out a master list of a “minimal wardrobe” and usually have been able to get “free” clothes to supplement my wardrobe. (Last month JC Penny sent me a $10/$10 coupon and I found long sleeve knit shirts on clearance for $2 so I got 5 free–did not even pay tax. I also got 2 “free” maternity tops at Target for free but guess what I am not pregnant but the tops are plain white which I can use for summer and exercising.) This kind of couponing and shopping takes a tremendous amount of time so for me I spend much more than 2 hours a week but I have been able to “shrink” and still have a decent wardrobe.
I am not complaining that is just my life and I gladly do this for the kids because they will soon be gone and grown. I want to enjoy every moment I have with them.
Way to go on your weight loss! I lost 20 pounds through running. It’s such a great feeling of accomplishment!
I don’t spend all that much time couponing. I do the binder system too, but I’ve been living off fresh produce from a farmer’s market and my stockpile so much recently that I really didn’t coupon at all in February. And I don’t feel bad one bit. Everything has its place and sometimes other things need to take priority.
Great post. I like to think of couponing and bargain hunting as a game. It can be a pretty lucrative hobby when you get good at it!
This is a very nice article. And I say that as someone choosing to stop couponing for awhile. 🙂
For me it’s not so much the time as the mental energy planning and organizing. Right now I’m focusing on other ways of saving money (and some big life issues) so couponing doesn’t feel worth it right now. And I’ve got a good stockpile of items I was buying with coupons (Ziploc bags, foil, shampoo, toothpaste, to name a few). I probably won’t coupon again but I will start up the drugstore game at some point.
I’m living off my stockpile at the moment too. 🙂 It’s nice to have a break every once in awhile!
I think the advent of the couponing Websites that help match the coupons with the sales (instead of each individual having to do that manually) have been the best thing for grocery budgets since, well, sliced bread.
(I miss coupons. We don’t really have them here.)
Swagbucks.com has printable coupons (same as coupons.com). Earn 10 points for every coupon printed and redeemed. It takes a few weeks, but I’ve gotten them!
While I don’t coupon heavily, I really agree with these points. Couponing and searching out deals has helped make me more resourceful, and usually, when there’s a will to do something, there’s a way. Good article!
What a great way to look at it. Though I try to get coupons, my real savings is being very careful to buy store brands, watch what is on sale, creating meals based on sales, etc. It truly saves us a lot of time and money. Another way is by keeping my menu for breakfast and lunch pretty simple and easy. Because I homeschool and am busy, my kids aren’t picky and why spend extra on “fancy” food for them when they love pasta, beans, and tortillas. They don’t care, only I do. 🙂 Keep it simple and store brand is a great way to help with the budget too.
Katheryn F.
http://www.outoftheboring.com
I think we need to be a smart couponers and know how to find the right balance between our time and couponing.
Couponing is great to some extent but if you are not careful sometimes you can get caught up in it and buy items just because you have a coupon or for the thrill of finding a deal. Only use coupons for items you use on a regular basis at the grocery store or that fit into your meal plan of the week. I welcome coupons into my life but do not make my life couponing 🙂
I agree with you 100%! I find I get so caught up in trying to save the most amount of money that I easily get so overwhelmed and then feel guilty if I could have saved more! There is definitely a healthy balance. This is a great article!
I completely agree, and I love how you put that last sentence. I think this is especially true for those of us moms that are working full-time jobs outside the home. Couponing could easily eat up much of my home time if I let it. I choose to use some coupons for things I would normally buy anyway if I happen to see/have a coupon for them. However, I don’t chase coupons and deals around…..I have far too little time in my home life for that.
I agree. I work full time with 4 kiddos to support myself including one with special needs. I commit to couponing because of the money I save and the savings helps me “survive” month to month. I personally spend more than 2 hours a week couponing but not to the point that it interfers with my family–too busy for that. I dream of a day that I can buy things without worrying about prices. I think it would be great to not to have to worry about prices (not to over indulge but not to worry about finances all the time). I would love to be able to use my “savings” from coupons on hobbies but my “savings” goes to food, rent, healthcare, baby sitters, etc.
I have a love/hate relationship with couponing! Ha, ha, ha.
What an excellent article!
Thank you! Your blog is one of my absolute favorites. I’ve been inspired to make a lot more from a lot less because of you. 🙂 Your encouragement means so much!
I love this! I’m also a runner, and young (26) and I definitely budget clothes, shoes, and race fees. Couponing and saving money on things definitely helps. You can also shop around for running shoes online (if you get fitted in the store, you don’t *have* to buy there). And, Target has great deals on workout apparel that to me, is just as good as Nike or Under Armor. Plus sometimes there are coupons for there :). Running is NOT a cheap sport but it’s definitely a healthy habit that doesn’t have to be super expensive.
if you do want the brand name running clothes, i just recently noticed that under armour sells directly on ebay for prices that are much cheaper than sporting good stores.
I’m in training for a marathon right now. It’s encouraging to hear other people doing what I’m doing, using coupons to make sure I can afford my other hobby!
I could not agree with this article more! I love sharing my enthusiasm for couponing and how to tricks for saving money. It’s unfortunate how often I hear other mom’s say that they “do not have time to clip coupons”.. when in fact, I reply, “You can’t afford not too!” It’s amazing how much I feel that I have control over now with my household finances. I save a lot money on products and have learned, by using coupons, to actually manage my grocery spending budget more efficiently. I can not imagine not strategically price shopping competitor to competitor, or knowing where to go to get the best deals, or learning to utilizing social networking websites for deals, and using grocery store coupons alongside matching up in store deals, etc.
It cam be overwhelming at first, but if you figure out a formula that works for your household then this is something that can truly change your life and outlook on all stores. It is BEYOND beneficial and allows you to stretch your dollar so you still enjoy lives luxuries.
I’m never going back to paying full prices ever again! 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with you!! Well said!!
Some people look at coupons as “bondage” or “limiting” yet it’s the complete opposite for me!!!
We have food to eat, nice clothes and shoes, can do activities as a family and take nice vacations all because of couponing!!
Great ideas! I also collect My Coke Rewards (www.mycokerewards.com)
which is the number inside of coke bottles or on the carton of cans. There are lots of items for hobbies that you can get for free from them. I have ordered a yoga mat and they have the arm band for your MP3 player. Plus lots of tshirts and gift cards for shoes,etc. Yes, it does take a few minutes to type those codes in but I do it all at one time for the week and it isn’t that hard for FREE stuff!!
I’m with you! Coupons are helping me save for one of my dreams: a trip to England! I’ll get there much quicker with the money I’ve been able to set aside.
Very well said! I completely agree!