Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
September is National Preparedness Month. Being prepared for a potential natural or civil disaster is of utmost importance. Millions can attest to their lives being changed in an instant, and how being prepared or unprepared made a huge difference. Pondering this, my mind turned to another way Americans should be prepared at all times – financially.
Just like you can be knocked sideways by natural disasters – you can be knocked sideways by what I call “life disasters”. They can range from mostly just an inconvenience, like the car battery dying – to a major situation, like the whole vehicle dying. But even a small thing like replacing a car battery can become a financial crisis if you have no savings for emergencies, and a budget so tight it squeaks.
For years I’ve been living and teaching the financial freedom that coupons can help provide. Since September is not only National Preparedness month, but also National Coupon Month, it’s a perfect time to talk some more about them. I completely acknowledge that coupons alone will not solve all your financial problems. But regular coupon use is the smart habit of individuals and families determined to not only keep additional debt at bay, but have savings for when “life disasters” hit. By using coupons, they spend less cash – allowing their budgets to breathe and surplus to accumulate.
7 secrets of wise coupon users…
(1) They are intentional. Grocery coupons are not the only ones smart consumers use. They make it a habit to see if money can be saved before buying or doing anything. Non-couponers make the mistake of assuming there wouldn’t even be a coupon or discount. Often that isn’t true, you usually can find one; whether it’s eating out, getting car repairs, buying an outfit, or finding a new dentist.
(2) They are flexible. Unless allergies or other factors enter in, savvy coupon users aren’t brand loyal, and they are willing to change up their routine to save. This includes everything from the type of laundry detergent they buy to the places they eat and shop.
(3) They go digital. The availability of digital and mobile coupons are increasing both the savings, and the ease of saving, like never before. Using mobile devices, coupons can be found on the fly, and couponers are using this method to save on unplanned purchases or when they are time-crunched.
(4) They get help. No one has time to personally hunt down every available coupon and savings code out there. Wise savers use sites like SavingsAngel.com, Retailmenot.com, and individual retailer websites to do the heavy lifting of tracking down the deals for them.
(5) They remember. Most couponers keep coupons in a portable folder or clutch, and have everything from grocery to restaurant coupons with them wherever they go. Some even keep them in their vehicles, so they never leave home without their coupons. To avoid forgetting to actually use the coupons before paying, many have little tricks. One is to put them with the payment method, so when the card or cash is pulled out, the coupons are right there too.
(6) They are opportunistic. Counter-intuitive to the typical way people shop, coupon users are always on the alert. Whether it is groceries, or goods like clothing and shoes, they don’t wait until they need something. Rather, they buy before they need it, whenever the optimum deal presents itself. Then enough is purchased to get by until another opportunity surfaces. Typically grocery deals run in 6-8 week cycles, and other goods go by seasons. By following these trends, opportunistic couponers avoid paying retail, avoid running out of necessities, and effectively spread out the financial burden of replacing worn out items.
(7) They don’t scoff at small savings. Intentional couponers know that the “big scores” in couponing are the exciting exception, not the norm. They rejoice in small amounts, coming together one by one, to add up to financial stability and a funded emergency account. Conversely, non-couponers fail to see how saving a few dollars here and there is worth their time and effort. They can’t visualize the end result over time. To see proof this all works, employ these 7 secrets for a few months and track your progress in funding against life disasters. I promise it will be worth it.
