So I have another tip. Its hard to do, but if you can focus enough and not get overwhelmed, it helps. So due to me not being able to work, I decided to start couponing again. I stopped awhile ago because I couldn't stay together with it. Now I'm not becoming one of the extreme couponers, however I do need to save some money. I've decided to start stocking up on items that we use on an almost daily basis. I grabbed a friend who's been doing this for awhile for advice and help with reading ads.
So stores FREAK ME OUT. I was never like this but since May, lets just add this to my list of things I needed to re-learn how to do. The last few times I've gone into a store its taken me more than 4 hours to get through one grocery store. This doesn't work when you have kids with you. So I've come up with some ideas for shopping.
1. I try to stick to one, maybe two stores I shop. I have learned their layout, their store policies, and also (and I think more importantly) the staff that works the store. The recognition and familiarity of people around me makes the outing that much easier.
2. I stay away from stores during peak hours. I also stay away from popular stores on weekends (i.e. Walmart, Target, etc.) Its not that I have something against these stores, its just that the amount of product+the amount of people=panic attacks, dizziness, and eventually me just sitting in the middle of the aisle trying to refocus.
3. I got a large binder and some baseball card sleeves. I alphabetized my coupons by type (i.e. air fresheners, baking, cleaners, condiments, etc. I can see every coupon I have while going through the store. Now you may not want to alphabetize, but put them in the order the items show up in your own grocery store. So organizing a book like this took me a few weeks to get it like I wanted it, but now its easy and I know exactly where everything is. Its a really good feeling to know I can finally remember where I put something.
4. I make a very neat list and compare the ads with coupons I have. I pull the coupons I'm going to use and also put a "c" next to the items on my list so I know I have a coupon. This has me checking the prices to make sure I read them correctly as well as remember to use the coupon at the end of the trip. My list keeps me on track as to what I need, no so much what I want.
5. Don't get frustrated. Just breathe. If it becomes too much, don't hesitate to just stop, buy what you have and go home for awhile. I've put stuff right back on a shelf and walked out because I became too overwhelmed.
Now, I will state that I'm not a professional, nor do I feel like I've gotten this routine down pat. I've just begun the coupons, however the rest of the tips I've done since this has started. If I have to go somewhere I'm not familiar, I take my earbuds and listen to music. I take a person with me so I can hold onto someone if need be. Today was my first big shopping with my coupon book all laid out and I finished our grocery shopping in an hour and a half. Now I know this is a long time, but it was my first time trying out this new system. I found things I need to work on and what I can do better next time. I'm determined to only have to be in a grocery store for no more than an hour.
Also surprisingly, working with coupons and my list, and checking over store prices kept me so focused that I didn't even really notice anything else going on minus a few moments with my kids. I did go to the store at 8:30 in the evening so the store was pretty much empty, but it worked for me. I was relaxed.
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