Last year I started a spreadsheet to count how much I've saved by using paper coupons and digital coupons. From July to September I saved $300.54. Not bad. I didn't buy stuff just to use the coupons. I bought stuff because we used it and the coupons were a bonus. I decided this year to then also add any gift cards I might get through receipt apps, surveys, and blood donations. So, the totals so far this year are:
Coupons: $311.68
Gift cards: $135
I participate in 5 receipt apps, so some of the gift cards were a carry over from points from last year. But, to think I've gotten this much money so far seems wonderful. Each month I add whatever we saved to our savings account since I figure it is found money so to speak.
We reviewed our streaming services and last year DH was given a great introductory offer for Peacock for next to nothing for a year so we enjoyed it for a year. But they sent him a renewal notice and boy, that puppy went up considerably. It was nice to have, but we aren't married to it, so it was cancelled.
A number of years ago I suggested that we sign our church up for the Kroger community rewards and we used that money to help pay down the mortgage in addition to other things we did. Normally we would get a little over $100 a quarter. This last quarter we only got over $80. I'm wondering if people are cutting back on their grocery spending. I'm hoping with our garden we will cut back on some our spending.
I planted a bunch of seeds for vegetables and herbs. So far, I'm watching them very carefully and hoping I can keep them going to I can plant them soon. If all works out, this will save us a bunch instead of buying plants. It's a learning process, anyway.
We decided to paint our bedroom/bathroom. We watched for sales and found a sale for the paint we wanted...but even still, holy cow, have you priced paint lately?!? Yikes. But we figure doing it ourselves was saving money and hopefully keeping our house looking nice.
Speaking of paint, I did find a quart of paint in the clearance section and bought it. Three coats on a bench to set outside...we had the bench so basically using something we had and fixing it up. It sat in the pole barn for years. While I had the paint and paintbrush out, I went around and painted some of the birdhouses that badly needed it. It's amazing how a coat of paint can really refresh stuff.
It seems like we are spending, but hopefully we aren't going crazy and still saving on stuff we either need or use.