Couponing 501: Staying Motivated With Couponing

Thus far you have the tools:

• Couponing 101: About coupons
• Couponing 201: Where to find coupons
• Couponing 301: Organizing coupons
• Couponing 401: Using coupons

And finally, today you will learn how to use those tools to “finish the project”.

Keyword:  MOTIVATION

We are human and we like to do things based on motivation.  You know that whole “positive  reinforcement thing?” we were taught as children and now use on our own children?  THAT is motivation!  Do something good, get a  good reaction. 

Losing weight sucks, but  if we set a goal as motivation we eventually get there.  Going to work sucks sometimes, but getting paid is a motivation to keep going.  Cleaning the house sucks, but we get a clean house.  You get the point.

If the motivation for you to coupon is good enough, you will continue to do it.  No, it’s not painful like losing weight, or going to work but it does take some work so, let’s set some motivations in place…

Set a grocery budget

Start out conservatively and then as you  get more comfortable with the process get aggressive.  If you spend $500 now, set a goal of $400 per month.  BUT set a long-term goal of $250 per month.  I think it is safe to say that you can shave at least 50% off within a few months because it does take some time to build up your coupon stock.

Or set a savings goal

One thing that I like to look at is the  % saved on my grocery receipt.  If you find that you are at 16% consistently right now bump that up to 45% or higher.  With  smart shopping and using the tools I’m giving you this shouldn’t be a huge challenge.  And then move up to a long-term and  forever goal of 65 or 70%.

Keep track of your grocery spending and savings

Keeping track of what you spend and save is important because if you go at this aggressively you may actually end up spending more.  Mint.com is an awesome tool.  Once you sign up (it’s FREE and you can read here to see how much I LOVE IT) it can immediately show you how much you have been spending on groceries.  You see, it’s detective-like and pulls everything that comes out of your account.  So…. no excuses.  If you don’t already have a budget and want to say to me “But, I have no idea how much I spend on groceries” head on over and take a few to figure it out.  The easy way.  Remember that thing I love about myself, that others don’t?   Well, this is an example of that.

Help your community

With what you save with couponing and the few extra items you pick up you can reach out and help your community.  Make that a motivation.  Get your kids in on it.  In 2009 my kids thought I was a crazy couponer.  In 2010, they  saw the method to my madness.  And… we were able to donate a bunch of goods to my 2nd graders canned food drive instead of me just dropping it off at a food bank.  He saw the hard work.  He took part in it.  And he helped HIS community.  Teach your kids that in every little thing there is a way to help others.

Reward Yourself

Rewarding yourself monetarily kind of counterproductive if your goal is to save money with couponing, but maybe for the first few months it’s necessary.  Go get a pedi or a massage at the local  massage school for cheap IF you meet your goal.  Once you get the hang of it, it’s no longer okay to reward yourself okay.

Now if you are couponing to save money for a specific THING then that’s different.  If you set a goal to pay off a credit card bill and use all that you’ve saved from couponing and you hit that goal.  That, by golly, is worthy of a celebration.  If you are using coupons to save up to buy a new appliance, or a bed, or to redecorate a room I think that goal is a huge accomplishment in and of itself and the end result IS your reward.

Partner up with another couponer

We always have more fun when we’re working together, right?

Don’t  give up, don’t fall down, don’t stop clipping.  When you lack motivation remember your goals and watch your budget.  Let the bloggers and deal bloggers do the work for you.  My Friday Coupon File literally puts some of the coupons in your reach so, now what?  Now what’s your excuse?

Hit the finish line!

Jill