Whether you're trying to balance your household budget or save money to buy your first house, discount coupons can help.
Coupons alone are not a panacea that will cure budgetary woes or enable you to quickly save up for a real estate down payment, but they can play a role in achieving your financial goals.
Building up your financial nest egg or saving thousands for a down payment requires planning, organization, and motivation. While this may sound like a steep mountain to climb, the biggest challenge involves examining your values and overcoming self-limiting habits and beliefs. If you're convinced, for example, that it's impossible to save money and get ahead, then those beliefs will slow you down, if not sabotage your progress, completely.
There are a lot of reasons why discount coupons are not an effective money-saving strategy for many people, but it often boils down to three things:
- Disorganization: Although coupons are a marketing tool used by businesses to get consumers to buy more products and services, it's often a "win-win" situation. If a coupon happens to be for product that you need or would ordinarily buy, then it's like having extra money in your wallet. For some people, putting the coupons IN their wallet is a good way to make sure they have them when they're at the checkout counter or drive through.
- Pride: There's nothing undignified about using coupons, unless you have such a large stack of them that you're causing people behind you to roll their eyes, sigh loudly, or grumble under their breaths! And speaking of misplaced pride: If you're over 60, don't hesitate to claim your senior citizen discounts at restaurants, the theater, movies, public transportation, museums, car rental places, and hotels. Those savings can really add up!
- Lack of planning: When your trips to the grocery store are planned, rather than sponteous, you're a lot more likely to remember your coupons and your shopping list. By having your coupons with you and knowing what you need to buy, you'll be more focused and tend to spend less money on impulse items.
About the Author
Carol McCullough Relocation Certified
As a Fairfield resident with a family commuting daily on Metro North, and our children graduating from Fairfield public schools, I look forward to sharing many of the great attractions in a wonderful community and county! Over the past 18 years with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services New England Properties, I have helped hundreds of buyers and sellers compete their home search and close on the sale of their property. As a Certified Relocation Specialist, my production results rank in the top 4% nationally while delivering exceptional customer service to my clients and their welcomed referrals. Real Estate is one of the most exciting investments you can make. It should be a fun and rewarding experience. Confident with your home marketing decisions and comfortable with the home marketing process is my commitment to you! I am excited to share several new marketing strategies successfully implemented in Southern Fairfield County! Regardless if you are looking to buy, or about to list your current home, you will soon BE AT HOME when working with Carol! *Connecticut Magazine 2022 Award Winner- 12th consecutive year scoring highest in overall customer satisfaction.
