Friday, April 23, 2010

Empowered

I coupon. I'm a couponer. Every sunday I have 4 sunday papers delivered to my front door. Am I really that obsessive about the going ons around me? No. All I'm interested in are the ads found in the middle.

My sister-in-law got me into it. I had heard about it before and, I'm not going to lie, clipping coupons didn't sound like my idea of a good time, but Brittney kept coming home with all these AMAZING shopping trips where she saved these enormous sums of money, got things free or was even PAID to go shopping! Plus her food storage was actually becoming something noteworthy, unlike mine which was doing well if I had a couple of extra cans of chilli and/or tuna fish "filling" up the shelf. I've always wanted to be one of those women who always had everything basically on hand. I was a boyscout for 4 years and the whole "Always be Prepared" thing was engrained into my soul. So...despite my leeriness of clipping coupons for the rest of my life...I turned to Brittney and said "Okay, I give. Teach me how, Yoda."

She made it super simple, and then Brittney, being the craftyminded woman she is, decided to really convert me and show me how it's done. After lesson one, she took me shopping, I ended up spending $37 and saving $42. More than 50% of my bill and getting twice the amount of groceries than I normally would have??? Okay. SOLD.

There's something empowering about going to a store, and feeling like your working the system. Something rewarding about watching your total diminish right in front of your eyes as they scan in the coupons and add the discounts.

I had a very empowering moment yesterday at Kohl's. And I feel like one of these commercials. I can do anything now. My total bill was $87.34 and at the bottom of my reciept, circled in a beautiful shade of red was my savings: $208.47.

I got 5 shirts, one pair of capris, a dress, leggins, earrings, sunglasses, and a pair of shoes. AND my husband wasn't even mad. In fact, he was impressed, and we went back to buy him some things too. and ended up saving another $82.00 and spending $50.

Here's to couponing.

5 comments:

  1. Ok. I officially need a lesson. So hey...did you ever come to Hawaii? I'll be in Utah in four weeks. We should all get together!

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  2. I want a lesson, too! Brittney!!!! (PS. Way impressive, Kandace. Truly.)

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  3. YAY!!! I am so proud of you my little prodigy! haha! Seriously from now on I know that I need to take people shopping to get them hooked! So proud of you you crazy couponer!

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