Coupons

I am all about saving money. I live within my means and try to save where I can. But this whole coupon thing that a bunch of frugal blogs are talking about just isn't going to work for me. The idea of getting to the checkout and paying just cents for dollars worth of products is very exciting. The concept of finding bargains and coupons is almost an adventure, kinda like a treasure hunt! First of all, we keep a kosher home and have a couple of major allergies which limits the availability of products. Since we are so many, we don't eat a lot of prepared foods. I buy a lot of bulk items and make things from scratch. It is almost always cheaper to make your own. I'm also concerned about eating healthy foods. Most of what I find coupons for or receive Catalina's for are what I would consider junk food. I get all my cleaning and personal care products from a company that pays me based on the amount of product that I use or sell. So no coupons there. Then there is the whole thing of running from store to store getting this or that deal. With a bunch of kids in tow, because we do almost everything as a team, that is not my idea of fun and it seems that I am spending all my savings on gas for the giant suv I drive. So instead, I do things a little differently. I never let my pantry get to low on anything. I don't want to pay full price for items just because I ran out. I buy a lot my groceries in bulk when they are on sale. The basics I get at a restaurant store. For fresh veggies and fruits and most of our meat, I found a store that sell things cheaper in if you buy 10 lbs. or more. A few freezer bags and this is pretty easy to do. I try to do a big shopping trip twice a month, one to the veggie store, one to the restaurant store and then only go to pick up milk or a forgotten item at the local grocery. This really helps with the impulse buying. We eat healthier and we save money. Not nearly as exciting as coupon shopping or adventurous as bargain hunting, but it works for us.