A healthy dose of Coupon Perspective

     I hope everyone took sometime from their busy schedules and couponing to spend some wonderful time with the special men in their life yesterday, I know I did.  And that's why I haven't been posting much the past few days!

     However; this weekend I was given a good does of coupon perspective and I wanted to share my found advice for new and well seasoned couponers.  To this date from April of 2011 I have saved a little over $1,6500!!! Which is amazing, and I'm really proud of myself.  However, I haven't missed a weekend since I started "extreme" couponing.  And even though I have saved so much, there's not much I can do when there's no money to spend on couponing due to my husband's hours making less then what our few bills equal out to.  So this weekend and week I won't be couponing.  I will admit I was moping around the house yesterday morning when I got my six papers and couldn't do "anything" with them.  However, my best friend was down for the weekend and she came over for a few hours.  When we got to talking I started to hear how she had no food in the cupboards, fridge or freezer, and like my husband and I was denied for food stamps.  I started to hit myself upside the head.  Here I was complaining because I couldn't go "score" some good deals on razors and gum that I had plenty of along with a full pantry and freezer and all I had to buy this week was some eggs and a gallon of milk!  So before she left I gave her two boxes full of stuff (with my mom's help who's also a couponer) and said our goodbyes.

      This morning, I got a text from my friend saying "Heather, thank you so much for the food.  You really didn't have to.  But we really appreciate it greatly."

      I have quickly learned, that being an "extreme" couponer doesn't mean scoring every deal and lettingg some go for the sake of bills, family, friends or just some time for yourself.  But also, being able to be selfless and help those in greater need then yourself.  Here was a week I couldn't replenish my pantry because my fiances are so tight and yet I still gave and blessed someone else.  And I think that's what this whole couponing thing is about.  Giving, loving and working together.  Not only to help with getting coupons and tips but one another when it get's too tough for you to keep you head above the water in these tough economic times.  To not rely on the government who base's their money and giving on pety things but to rely on one another and base nothing on anything and just give.  To find simplicity in this complicated world in one another.