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Coupon Challenge!! Lets see if it works!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate/ Wilson Parker Homes

 

This year and soaring Gas prices have caused us to re-evaluate and make some drastic changes to our budget.

The fact that my

Montana Hoover Wonderful daughter is graduating this year and has chosen to go to SCAD The Savannah College of Art Design

a very expensive private school studying Photography

has made us realize we need MORE Money. You know MOOLA, GREEN STUFF!!

Short of trying to work 10 more hours a week and sell 3 more homes a month I decided to do some Budget trimming.

 

 

So at the start of the year I started using Mint.com. My goodness have we been shocked over the last 4 months to see exactly where all the money goes. As we have  been trying to figure out what we can trim, what is actually wasteful, it has been painfully obvious that way to much MONEY goes into my business. And of course the GAS tank and Groceries.

So that being said I have been on a mission to figure out how to cut these 3 areas of expense.

I have figured out how to trim approximately $400 from my Business. Unfortunately I can not do more because I can not cut back anymore from the Marketing area that helps keep me in contact with more than 1500 people.

We have decide that maybe we can cut $100 a month from the gas for our vehicles by my husband car pooling and me not going into the office 2 days a week ( I live 23 miles from the office). This is with the hopes that gas wont go up to much more!!!

Now for the Groceries and House hold necessities, which led me to this post! My girls have become huge fans of “Extreme Couponing” so I decided to do some research today. I LOVE what I found!!! Blogs and Forums, That lead me to the Coupon Mom. I must say I am impressed. Coupon mom shows you haw to actually save even more money with your coupons by only using them when the store puts it on sale, approximately 4 weeks after the coupon comes out in the paper.

                                                           

So I am going to try this little experiment and see if I cant get my Grocery/ Household budget down to $200. Hmmmmm wonder if it can be done!!

Of course that is feeding 5 people 3 dogs a cat and a turtle, oh yea and 3 of the people are "TEENAGE GIRLS". 
I think it will be fun to see how it goes!

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Marie Westerman 

Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate

New Construction Home Specialist

 706-868-1000 office 706-941-1440 cell  email MarieWesterman@gmail.com

Serving You in Augusta, Evans, Ft Gordon, Martinez, and Waynesboro.

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Comments (7)

Jean Hanley
Coldwell Banker Kivett Teeters - Hemet, CA
Specializing in Folks Who Want To Buy/Sell Homes

OMG!!  Your post comes just a couple of days after I decided to do much of the same.  I am cutting down on driving, as much as I can, and trying to cut back on just a few little items, that I sometimes buy, when I really could go without them with no affect on my business.

But, the other night, I was flipping channels, and saw a show that caught my eye.  EXTREME COUPONING.  I forgot what channel it was on, but it was incredible.  You should check it out.

May 12, 2011 11:03 AM
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Can't wait to hear how this turns out! I am curious about the couponing myself. We have a dog and a cat who are BOTH on special food costing us $50 per pet per month. That alone is a big expense! I have heard a lot of people like to get points for gas at their grocery store, but I have never tried this.

Good luck on your mission. Sounds like it may be a little fun too!

May 12, 2011 12:46 PM
Marie Westerman
Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate/ Wilson Parker Homes - Evans, GA
New Homes Sales Specialist Evans GA REALTOR

jean, Yes my Girls got me started on the show Extreme Couponing. Tha is what made me think ...Bet i could save some $$$$ too!

Shannon..I think it will be fun, of course with the girls helping it can also teach them so very valuable money lessons.

May 13, 2011 04:55 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I've heard of people who take on challenges like this and are able to feed their whole family for nearly nothing.  There are a lot of coupon sites and there are even coupon apps for smartphones.  There are all kinds of ways to save.  I wish you much success in cutting those costs!

May 19, 2011 06:07 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Congratulations on being Featured Member in today's Daily Drop.  I love that your girls got into coupons...money mangement starts early and it sounds like they are on track.

May 30, 2011 03:38 AM
Marie Westerman
Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate/ Wilson Parker Homes - Evans, GA
New Homes Sales Specialist Evans GA REALTOR
Thanks Deb... I am surprised...and loving Active Rain!
May 30, 2011 09:50 AM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Marie, 

Love the extreme coupon show.  My kids are way hooked, not to mention - teenage mutant eaters - eating everything in site.   Thanks for sharing the mint.com and other fiscal hints.  

All the best, Michelle

May 30, 2011 02:40 PM