A PROUD Moment!

I had to share this with you all because I imagine that at some point in every couponer’s life this happens.

Let’s start at the beginning.  I began couponing in August of last year, the week of my daughter’s first birthday to be exact.  I had used coupons before at places like Babies ‘R’ Us on diapers and such, but nothing like I do now.  Our children are almost exactly 23 months apart so we have birthday’s in August and September, plus our son was born ONLY 2 days after my husband’s birthday! Let me tell you that puts a damper on a budget (yes, my children are spoiled)!  We lived off of one income, most of you all know my husband is in the military, and the bills were just more then I could budget for anymore.  I looked at going back to work, but I wouldn’t have brought home more than $50 every two weeks by the time I paid for day care and it just wasn’t worth it, so couponing was my answer.  We won’t go into all the details, but like many others I got progressively better at it over time and watched my savings grow.  In the beginning my husband complained (except when he saw the results at check out) about having to go from one store to the next and the constant reading and re-reading of the coupon details and restrictions.  Over time he adjusted and appreciated the savings a little more every month.  I tell everybody that takes my couponing class that the best way to explain couponing to your husband is in their terms, pick something they love and explain how couponing will help them get more of it.  For example, my husband plays video games and we know how expensive that can be!  I explained to him that with my savings he could potentially be getting a new game EVERY paycheck, now that he understood!

That’s enough background to bring you to the PROUD part of my story.  The other day he went into Game Stop (alone because the kids were both asleep in the car) to buy a new headset and battery pack for his controller.  He was in there for about 15 minutes and then he comes out empty handed…this NEVER happens!  I looked at him all kinds of confused and said “Where’s your stuff?”  He looked at me and these were his exact words:

“I pulled up the points on my Power Up rewards card and I had enough to get 2 $10 off a $20 purchase coupons.  Each item is $20 and if I do 2 separate transactions then I can get my headset and battery pack for ONLY $10 a piece.” 

I had to have had the biggest grin on my face, because it was at THAT moment I realized he FINALLY GETS IT!  He continues “I am not about to pay full price for something when I can get it cheaper with a coupon!”  I am SO PROUD I just had to share this moment with ALL of you!

PS: I know the picture doesn’t mesh with the message in the post, but I couldn’t get him to pose with his coupons or with his receipt and purchases so I improvised with a picture of him with our daughter on the day he deployed.