What Do Rotten Produce and School Shopping Have in Common?

I'm sure you've seen that Staples commercial with the joyous parents, leaping around the store to the tune of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", haven't you?  Summer is nice and all, but getting back to our regularly scheduled programs is a huge relief.

But, with the end of summer comes back-to-school shopping (THE HORROR!).  Well, no need to freak out.  If you've been trying to live more frugally (like I have), just think of this like grocery shopping:

• It's okay to buy necessities now.  Some schools are on top of it and send home school supply lists along with end of year grades, but many wait until school starts.  Either way, you know certain things like backpacks and lunchboxes are essential.  So, don't wait until they're picked over or cleared out on the first day of school. 
  
  (FYI: Thirty-One Gifts is having a great 15% off everything sale until the end of August.  It would be a great time to buy one of the cute new backpacks, lunch totes, pencil pouches, or organizing products to get students, parents, and teachers ready for the new year!)

  

  Save 15% off All Items (Sale ends August 31st)

• Stock up on staples while they're on sale.  They won't go bad.  Every week leading up to the start of school, different stores will have crazy sales on some items. 
• Don't drive yourself bonkers trying to go to every store, and don't fall for the trap of going in for the sale and then paying full price for the other items on your list.  Just pick 1 or 2 stores and load up on their weekly deal items. If notebook paper is 25 cents a pack, stock up so you won't find yourself paying full-price mid-year. 
• Many stores (like Staples, Office Max, and Office Depot) have price-matching policies, so if there's a sale on a name-brand item, bring your circular and save money, time, and gas.
• If you get a few items each week for the next 3 weeks, you'll find your list complete in no time!
• Don't buy your kid's whole fall wardrobe now.  In most areas of the country, your child won't need that wool skirt or those sweater vests for at least another month.  Buy a few transitions pieces to layer over their summer clothes, then pick up those cute fall outfits when they go on sale at the end of September.

For more great tips, pick up the August 26th issue of All You magazine or check out their website.

Ethics for the Not-So-Extreme Couponing

If you haven't watched TLC's hit show Extreme Couponing, you've more than likely heard about the antics of these ladies (and gentlemen), some of whom dumpster dive for coupons, stockpile things they don't need (like the unmarried man with a stockpile of maxi pads), or fill every room in their home (including bedrooms) with the spoils of their grocery hoarding. 

TLC's Extreme Couponing

You don't have to be extreme to be an effective couponer.  As a matter of fact, being a good citizen of couponing only requires some basic couponing ethics.  But why is it better to follow the rules? 

• Well, karma for one thing.  If you're the type to clear out a shelf just because you can, don't be surprised when someone else does the same to you.  Experienced couponers know that sales come in cycles (usually every 2-3 months, depending on the store).  So, get what your family can likely use in that time period and leave the rest for others.
• Also, when you exploit the rules, outright break them, or even break the law, there are consequences for you (being banned from stores, fines, lawsuits, or jail) and for other couponers (more restrictions and less savings).

Whatever your reasons for couponing (saving money for other things, a hobby, or a necessity), it can definitely be worthwhile as long as you approach it with some sanity.  Moderation is the key.  To get the 90% savings that some extreme couponers claim, you really do need to devote more time and energy than most working folks have, but that's no reason to give up.  You can certainly still get at least 30-50% savings with a modest 1-2 hours a week investment.  That's certainly doable, right?