Because Disneyland is soooooooo much more laid back than WDW when it comes to planning, I’ve been trying to think of what to chat about with you guys. This is how you end up with my musings on stockpiles, coupons, etc.
Lately I’ve been getting back to my couponing roots. That isn’t to say I ever STOPPED couponing, but I did stop seriously couponing. Buying 3-4 newspapers, pouring over match-ups and scenarios, stocking up on tons of everything- mentally berating myself for days because I missed a 25c coupon. Making myself sick over missing being able to get X, Y or Z, stressing out when I had to change scenarios in the middle of a shop.
It’s the ugly side of couponing that we don’t talk about. Maybe you aren’t this way- you don’t have the obsessive personality, your competitive side doesn’t kick in- I really don’t know what it is. I know other people that have had that problem. I know folks who buy so much they can’t use it all and then whatever they bought goes bad and it’s a waste of money. I know people that buy literally anything because it’s on sale. That’s how you end up getting one napkin ring as part of a Christmas gift (saw it happen, I’m not even joking).
I’m here to tell you- sometimes it’s ok to let it go. If couponing makes you anxious (I have friends who it does), if the thought of stockpiling makes you cringe- just don’t do it. In this journey of couponing gives you too much stress, do what you can handle and find other ways to make money, or save money. You’ll still make it to Disney. Maybe it’ll take a little longer, or maybe it’ll require that you don’t do a certain character meal or stay at the Grand Floridian. We’ve gone extreme budget trips. It’s still a blast.
I’m getting back to the next level of couponing- something a bit above just using Ibotta or taking advantage of the Target Toy coupon. I’m looking at scenarios, I’m plotting how to best stockpile- and most importantly, I’m cutting myself some slack. I’m doing the best I can. I’m not planning my week around coupons and deals. As you can see- I’m doing pretty well.
So don’t feel like you have to drive yourself crazy- not with couponing, not with stockpiling, not with surveys. Find a comfortable balance for you and just remember it takes time for those pennies to make dollars- but they will!
2020 West Coast Trip Goal: $5000
November 11th- November 17th
$43- Secret Shops
$25- Swagbucks
$15.73- Credit Card Rebate
$15- Receipt Hog
$6- Village
$5- Bing
$4.72- Misc
$4.44 – Rebates
$3- Pinecone Research
$2.95- Misc
Total earned this week: $126.88
Fund Total from last post: $2649.62
Current Fund Total: $2776.50
Only $2223.50 to go!
Couponing To Somewhere Week 26: Work Those Grocery Deals