How I Went Broke Saving Money

Don't Stock Up

Just because it's on sale doesn't mean that you need fifteen cans of it. I used to go to the store and load my freezer full of meat just because it was on sale. Then, months later I found that I hadn't used most of it, forgot it was in there, and now it was past the date of usage and I'd wasted money. Likewise, my cabinets got to the point where they were full yet empty. I had twenty packages of pudding, but no egg noodles which I needed. Weekly grocery bills can't go down if this type of buying occurs every week. Once in awhile stocking up is acceptable, but to do it every week doesn't get a person anywhere.

Coupons Aren't There to Save You Money

Shocking isn't it? Advertisers don't put coupons in the flyers to save you money; they do it to lure you towards their products. Coupons that require a customer to purchase four or more of an item fall into the stocking up problem. At times these coupons are useful. I buy juice in multiples of three and four bottles a week, so a coupon for 75 cents off three would do me good. When clipping coupons, plan ahead. If you won't use the advertised amount in the next three weeks, it's not worth your money.

Another issue with coupons is that they lure shoppers to brand name products. If vaporizer fluid is $1 off with coupon but the generic product is $1.50 cheaper every day, what's the point of the coupon? Likewise, coupons often lure people to try new products, thus "hooking" them on a brand name item. While clipping, only clip what you use and always do some comparison shopping when cashing in the coupons.

Sales Can Be Dangerous

Have you ever bought something just because it was on sale? We're all guilty. Sale and clearance items are luring but often dangerous. By walking down a sale aisle one can easily add $50 or more to the bill for the day. Ask yourself this question each time you go near a sale rack, "Would this have caught my eye at regular price?" If you answer yes, buy it and savor the deal. If you answer no, walk away and come back. If it disappears in the meantime, then it wasn't meant to be.

Keep this unchanging rule in mind and avoid going broke by saving money: it's not money saved if it's money spent.

About The Author:
Kelly Ann Butterbaugh is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to a variety of magazines as well as online newsletters. She teaches writing in the public school as well as at the collegiate level. Contact her at Englishteach@rcn.com or visit her website at http://users.rcn.com/wesavedamutt/Writer

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