A New Hobby...

For those who know me, you will know that I am the queen of trying out new hobbies.  I have done needlepoint, knitting, scrap booking, cross stitching, journalling, etc.  You name it and I have probably tried it.  So, in June I started yet another hobby.  Now, in my defense, I tried to get completely educated and prepared for this hobby.  Here are the facts:

• My last day at my job was June 30th, so I would have down time to start the hobby.
• I would not start my new job until August 9th, so I needed a "cheap" hobby.
• My first paycheck isn't until the end of September, so I need to "make" money if possible.
• It has to be quick and easy since I have two little ones.

So, MyDFWMommy (mydallasmommy.com) was hosting a couponing class for a randomly selected group of 20.  So, I registered and hoped to win.  I remember getting the phone call from Courtney telling me that I won and would be attending the class.  I was so excited that I rambled on and on.  She probably thought I was nuts!  I have done coupons in the past, sort of.  I cut them and then leave them in a stack on my front entry table until they expire and then I get frustrated because I don't have a coupon.  I needed a way to take it from cutting and leaving to cutting and using.

The class met at Sweet Tomatoes (YUM!) in Addison and included a free meal.  When I arrived (I was 10 minutes late because Google Maps told me to turn right instead of left), the group was in the back corner.  When I sat down, I was given an envelope full of coupons, a stack of larger coupons, and an Elmo Board Book.  I took notes like a mad woman.  I got ideas for organizing, finding, and printing coupons.

I came home and got out an expandable envelope.  My bestie came over and we created categories for my envelope.  I started sorting the numerous coupons that I had already accumulated.  I printed coupons almost daily and attacked this new hobby like I always attack a new hobby.

Now that I have been doing the couponning for a couple of months, I have settled in a little.  I only print coupons for items that we use, I go through my coupons every other week to get rid of expired coupons and to ensure that the coupons that are close to expiring are utilized.  On my last trip to Target, I saved a little over $15 on groceries.  As I was checking out, I was starting to feel bad for the woman behind me due to my large quantity of groceries and stack of coupons. 

As the cashier was handing me my change(we only pay cash), the person behind me said, "Wow.  You just saved $15.  Not bad."  I walked out of the store feeling confident and proud!