Dollars and Sense Sundays, 1

Happy Sunday!  Today the new sale ads come out, coupons become available, and blog posts are lined with the best savings and coupons pairing around the area.  Today is the day that you have to remember the most important rule of saving money.... If you purchase something that you didn't need, just because it is on sale, does NOT mean you are saving money.  This has been something that my husband has been reminding me since I started on my money saving journey.  

Please remember that stock piles are wonderful, for items that you use, or can use, but to purchase 20 cans of peas because they were only $0.10 each, but no one in your family eats them is just like throwing $2.00 out the window.  

You also have to remember that when you see sale items from WalGreens, CVS, and Rite Aid showing that you can get your items free after rewards, remember that you are still paying cash, out of pocket for these items, and you are getting "Coupon Cash" to spend on your next purchase.  If you forget to use these "CC" before they expire, or use them on items you don't need, or will not use, you are just spending money that you could have kept in your budget for something more useful.  Also remember that you will be paying sales tax on all of these items so it will still take some money to pay for your free items.

The point of this blog is to learn to save money to have excess in your budget today, but to also save and prepare for the future.  It is a learning curve, and takes time and patience as we move through life and learn new ways to save, and new ways to change our financial status, and our lives.  There is nothing wrong with admitting that you were wrong in the past, and starting fresh from Today, with just your Dollars and Sense to guide you.