You need to cut your spending, are looking for a second job, but you don't have time to fool with coupons.

OK, so I just don't get it. I hear people constanly saying that with the increase of health care, heating cost, food, and gas, that they are going to have to get a second job. Yet when I suggest couponing, they say that they don't have the time to do it.

So, let me get this right, you have time to find and work a second job at the minimum wage rate of $7.25 an hour. But you don't have an hour a week to save at least 50% off of your grocery bill? I don't understand the logic behind this concept, so I have to dig deeper.

I am going to create a scenario, hypothetical of course, a family of four, one income of $35,000/year.
For whatever reason, there is only one income, single parent, spouse lost a job, whatever. Let's look at ways they could cut cost without having to look for a second job.

If the family is spending roughly $500/month at the supermarket, and this is a low ball estimate. A 60% savings would put them at $200/month for the same amount of food, if not more. What happens to that $300 that the family is accustomed to spending on food, it is redirected to other line items in their budget. The supermarket is not the only place that you can use coupons, they can be used for online shopping, at craft stores, fast food restaurants, etc. The purpose of this blog is to open your eyes to the wide world of couponing. What if you could save 80-90% on health and beauty products? Would you consider couponing? If you were willing to get a second job, would you make couponing your second job? What if you could retire a millionaire? You say, is she crazy, how is couponing going to make me a millionaire. Simple the money that you are use to spending, take that money and invest it, deposit it into your 401K or RothIRA and leave it alone. In the right investment vehicle you could be a millionaire through compound interest and split stocks, everything is a gamble, why not take it.  If you are intersted send an email and I will direct you to a lovely young lady at Wachovia Securities.

There are a lot of things that are uncontrolable, however our food budget is a factor that we can control. Our world is changing, environmentally, more than ever. We are experiencing harsh winters and the crops that yield our food are being damaged. Ultimately the crops that do survive will be sold at premium prices. How do we avoid this spike in price, by treating the grocery store as if it were the stock market. Buy low and trade high, this will be explained in another blog entry. There will also be an additional blog entry discussing  Patio Gardening, it's so easy my seven year old does it, as an alternative to high super market prices.

The family that was looking to find another job to bring in income, a job that may in fact cause their gas budget to increase, their daycare and baby sitting fees to skyrocket, and their over health to plumit from exhaustion. This family is now seeing a break, this $300 can be used to pay the gas/electric bill, help with the car note. This may help you to breathe a sigh of relief, but let's take it a step farther. All of these things can also be decreased just by making a phone call. Believe it or not, your financers are more willing to work with you than you think, just ask.  The economy has shifted, however we are not home free just yet. Don't become overwhelmed and stick your head in the sand, where there is a will there is a way. I hope to help you find the way, so that you and your family can return to living a normal life. A life where the pantry is full, the bills are paid, and you may even have enough for a vacation.Additional information is available in My Money My Call.

I constantly hear negative coments in relation to couponing. Now don't get me wrong, I do hear great stories of savings, and how couponing has really helped ease the financial worries of a lot of people. Would you be surprised if someone was able to keep their home out of foreclosure by couponing. How? They were able to cut their grocery bill by 90% and use that money to pay on their mortgage. Couponing is a way of life, it is not a cheap life, but a frugal life that will make you more aware of your spending. We all have had those days, when you just can't account for cash that was in your wallet. Or those pointless swipes of your debit card when running errands. I hope that through this blog you will become aware of your spending habbits, create a budget, increase your savings, and ultimately live a less stressful life. Stay tuned for more helpful hints and ideas, remember to use the above toolbar to print your coupons and get your arsenal ready.