First "Couponing" Trip

So this past week was my first official “couponing” shopping trip.  I always thought that perhaps couponing wouldn’t work for me, because I try not to eat canned or processed foods, and they don’t exactly have coupons for fresh fruit, dairy, or organic meat very often.  But I am finding ways to still make my dollar stretch a little further. 

I’m excited to say that I saved $49.34 on last week’s grocery bill!  I shopped for 2 weeks worth of groceries for 2 adults.  My total was originally $182.01 (ouch!), but with my savings came out to $132.67.  The breakdown - $29.96 was saved on sale priced items, such as buy one get one free deals or 2 for XX amount.  And an additional $19.38 was saved using coupons.  That’s a 27% savings.  My goal next week is 35% savings!  But all in all, I was pretty excited to have saved nearly $50 worth, and not even spending anything on items that I normally wouldn’t have bought just because they are on sale.

Also, be aware of your grocery stores policy on coupons.  I shop at Publix, which allows you to use 2 coupons per item – one manufacturer and one store coupon.  They also accept competitor’s coupons.  And if you have coupons you forgot to bring or that didn’t come out until the following week for items you purchased, bring them back to the store with your receipt for a refund on the coupon amount.  I’m not sure about other grocery stores, but Publix also has additional coupons at the front of the store, as well as their programs such as the baby club or pet club you can sign up for online, which are also great deals.  For instance, the baby club this month sent me coupons for $1.00 off any deli meat and also $1.00 off any fresh meat item.  Who can’t use those coupons?  Another great idea, utilize your stores resources.  Publix has itemized grocery lists for free at the front of their store.  Why not grab a few next time you’re there and keep them on hand?  Organizing your grocery list this way will save you time on your next trip so you’re not running to and from departments for things you forgot to grab.

No Other Gods

Let me start by saying that I am becoming a big Kelly Minter fan!  I just finished her study on the book of Ruth, and am now beginning her study “No Other Gods.”  She’s a great author, and writes in a way as though I feel like I’m just hanging out with one of my friends.

The first couple days of the study really hit me like a book (I know, my comedy really needs help!).  2 Kings 17:33 says “They worshiped the Lord, but they also serve their own gods.”  I never thought of myself as having “idols” or “false gods.”  I don’t have any statues that I worship, I don’t dream of being like someone famous, and I don’t even follow astrology.  I had always thought of an idol as being a tangible object or person.  But until this study began, I never thought of an idol as being what motivates our actions. 

One thing that sticks out to me in today’s culture is money.  The Bible speaks more about possessions and money than any other topic.  One verse that is a favorite of mine Luke 16:11 - “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”  It reminds me that we will one day be judged by how we choose to use what God has given us here today.  So having this verse in the back of my mind, it’s always been important to me to be financially stable, to be smart with my finances, to save, and not to be controlled by debt.  But one the other hand, I realized that while my reasons behind this might be good, the comfort that I seek is my real motivation.  Which makes me wonder – is it possible to ever be comfortably growing in Christ?

Or maybe what motivates you is not money at all, it could be the desire to gain someone’s respect, the desire to be heard, your career, or to be physically fit.  It could be your kids, your desire to have children, or another relationship entirely. 

Session one ended with a thought – Can you think of anything in your life that is inherently good and right, but that has become detrimental simply because you desire it too much?

If you’d like to join our study of “No Other Gods” it’s not too late.  It begins this Thursday at 6:30pm at the Lake Nona YMCA.  Free childcare is available.  It’s going to be a great time together, so we’d love for you to join us! 

Couponing Failure

Couponmom.com you've failed me.  I liked this website because you can sort deals by percentage saved to get the most bang for your buck.  I was excited - I know, it’s sad to be excited over coupons - because there were 100% savings deals – and I am always a fan of FREE!  But when I went to the newspaper add for the coupon deal, the coupon value was not the same as what the website stated, meaning it wasn’t free.  Sure, it was still discounted, but I am not going to spend money on something I never would have bought to begin with, just because it’s discounted.  Then the second item I wanted had a printable coupon.  But when I clicked the link to the printable coupons, the item was nowhere to be found.  I looked over and over again, but just couldn’t find it.  So couponmom.com, I am very disappointed in you today.  The learning continues.