Help! I fell off the wagon!

I recently had an email from an MSM friend asking for advice,

“I got busy (or lazy!) and haven’t been couponing for about three months.  My stockpile has dwindled and I have been going to the store every week without a single coupon!  I’ve been paying $4 a box for cereal and don’t even pay attention to the sales anymore.  I can’t afford to keep going on this way.  Any tips for getting back on the Coupon Wagon?”

Just like any lifestyle- if you fall off the wagon- jump back on.

If you have the “coupon skills” you’re already a good part of the way there.  So you need to jump back on.  Hopefully you’ve been getting your Sunday coupons even if you haven’t been using them.  If so- jump back in. Look at the matchups for the current week and start back in.

Now- remember not to go overboard.  It’s almost like you are a “newbie” couponer- don’t chase the savings.  Seeking that high percentage of savings can be euphoric but will cost you in the long run.  Seek to reduce your SPENDING not increase your SAVINGS.

If you have not keep collecting your coupon inserts, start on Sunday!  Don’t allow another week to pass you buy.

A few steps can help you get back on the wagon to spending less:

1. Go through your pantry– what are you out of or almost out of?  These are the items you need to get at a discount NOW.  Spending less on them today will give you that boost to get back on the wagon.  It may not be a SUPER deal- but at least saving 50% on that box of cereal this week is better than paying $4 for it.
2. Make a list of all those items you have been buying at full price. These are the items you will want to look for deals on. Use our sale search to look for current deals on those items.
3. Look at your past couponing: What caused you to fall off the wagon? Were you  burnt out? Had you been spending  2 hours a day and it was just too much?  Or were you just not seeing the savings you wanted?  Finding out what caused you to stop may help resolve that issue so you don’t experience it again.
4. Get a Boost: Find an item that is free this week (that you will USE) and get it.  This may give you the boost you need to see how far you can reduce your spending.
5. Realize it’s ok: Strategic Couponing is not for everyone. Some people won’t use a single coupon and others will use them sporadically.  And that’s ok.  Not everyone wants to or likes to.

Your stockpile will not replenish over night (it didn’t dwindle overnight either).  Find that one or two items that will boost your coupon fun and you may find yourself driving that wagon!