Category: Popular Thrifty Tips

Somewhere between 40 and 50 percent of the people who get married in the U.S. end up getting divorced at some point. Many of them go on to date other people once their divorces are finalized.

Dating after divorce can be difficult to do, though, especially if you were married for a long time. So if you’re planning on getting back out there in the dating world following a divorce, there are some things you should do to prepare yourself for it.

Here are 10 things to keep in mind for your first date after divorce.

1. Make Sure You’re Ready to Start Dating Again

The first thing you should do before dating after divorce is take a good, long look in the mirror and decide if you’re definitely ready to date again.

There are some people who try to rush right back into the dating world following a divorce. And often times, they’re simply not ready for everything that comes along with trying to find a connection with a new person.

There is no set time as far as when you’ll be ready to date again. But you shouldn’t feel pressured to dive headfirst into dating if you don’t think you’re 100 percent prepared for it.

2. Find the Right Person for Your First Date

If you decide that you’re ready to tackle divorced dating, the next step will be to find the right person to go out on a date with you. The last thing you want is for your first post-divorce date to be awful because you chose the wrong person to go on it with.

It’s impossible to eliminate all the risk associated with trying to find a date. But you can do it by asking friends or family members to hook you up with someone who might be right for you.

That doesn’t mean you have to try and land Prince Charming on your first attempt at dating. But it does mean you should be a little selective and choose someone who, at least in theory, could be compatible with you.

3. Talk to Your Kids About Your Date Before It Happens

If you have kids, dating after divorce can be especially tricky. You may have gone to great lengths to help your children cope with the divorce itself, but dating someone else is a whole new ballgame.

If you intend to start dating again, sit down with your kids and explain to them why you want to date. They’ll be a lot more open to it when you talk to them about your intentions.

4. Use Your Date as an Excuse to Pamper Yourself

One of the best parts about dating after divorce is that it gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself.

You can go out and get your hair and nails done for your date and not feel bad about doing it. You can also treat yourself to a massage or a facial so that you feel your best when your date picks you up.

5. Dress Your Best for Your Date

If it’s been years since your last official date, you might not know exactly what to wear. Dating attire has gotten a lot more casual than it used to be in many instances.

Don’t let this deter you from dressing your best for your date. You should already be planning on getting your hair and nails done, so why not complete the look by putting on a dress that makes you look fabulous?

6. Pick a Place Where You’ll Feel Comfortable for Your Date

As your first date after divorce inches closer, you’re probably going to start feeling nervous. Those nerves are only going to grow in intensity over time.

Take some of the pressure that you’re feeling off yourself by picking a place for your date where you’ll feel the most comfortable.

That might mean choosing a more relaxed restaurant that will allow you to get to know someone while surrounded by a bunch of other people. It might also mean going to a movie where you won’t have to spend two hours talking to someone you don’t know.

Pick a place where you know you’ll be at ease. It’ll allow you to enjoy your date rather than feeling like you’re on pins and needles all night long.

7. Come Up With Icebreaker Questions to Ask

Some people don’t have any problem sitting down and asking questions to someone they don’t know. If you fall into that category, you probably don’t need to spend much time thinking about questions to ask prior to a first date.

But if you’re the type of person who doesn’t know what to ask on a date, come up with some sample questions beforehand. These questions might include:

• “Where did you go to college?”
• “What do you do for work?”
• “What kinds of things do you enjoy doing on the weekend?”
• “Who is your favorite NFL team?”
• “What’s the last really good book you read?”

You might even consider sitting down with a friend and giving your icebreaker questions a test run. You could find that it’s not as hard as you think to carry on a free-flowing conversation with someone when you have questions in mind.

8. Be Open to Talking About Yourself

When you’re on a first date, you don’t necessarily want to dominate the conversation. But you do want to prepare to talk about yourself for at least part of the date.

Think about the things that you’re comfortable sharing on a first date as well as the things that you would rather keep to yourself. It’ll allow you to open up to your date without going too overboard.

9. Avoid Talking About Your Divorce

If you’ve been divorced for a few years now, your divorce might not even come up in the course of a conversation on a first date.

But if your divorce is still a relatively new thing, you might be tempted to bring it up on your first date. Try not to do it!

You could give your date the impression that you’re not over your divorce. You could also drudge up feelings of anger and frustration and bring them into your date.

You can casually mention that you’re divorced at some point and let your date know you have kids if you’d like. But don’t get too much deeper than that on a first date.

10. Try Not to Expect Too Much From Your First Date

No matter how good a first date might go, remember: It’s only a first date!

When dating after divorce, there are some people who scare off their dates by trying to get too serious too quickly. It’s best to take things slow and allow them to develop over time rather than rushing right into a relationship.

If you have a great time on a first date and you would like to go on a second date, send signs that make that clear. By simply letting someone know you enjoyed their company, you’ll put a second date on the table and give them the chance to make the next move.

Dating After Divorce Can Be a Rewarding Experience

Initially, dating after divorce can be very overwhelming. It’s not easy to go from being married to dating again.

But once you’ve been on a few dates, you’ll enjoy the connections that you make with new people. You’ll also increase your chances of finding someone that you want to get to know better.

Read our blog for additional tips on dating, being a better mother, running your household more effectively, and more.

Dealing with chronic pain is a constant struggle for many Americans. The prescriptions used to treat chronic pain are dangerously addictive.

About 42,000 people die due to opioid overdoses each year. This is just one big example of modern medicine’s shortcomings.

The importance of alternative pain medicines has never been greater. One little-known alternative medicine that treats more than just pain is kratom. Sharing similar properties to marijuana, kratom is also a plant with psychoactive properties.

Research on this miracle plant is limited, but it has been used medicinally for centuries in Southeast Asia. There are efforts around the country to criminalize and ban the plant, just as marijuana is treated. This is partly because kratom benefits threaten pharmaceutical industry profits.

This drug must be protected and here is why it is so important to so many people.

Top Kratom Benefits

Thus far, more than 20 active compounds have been isolated from kratom, and considerable evidence shows that these compounds do, in fact, have major pharmacologic effects. If you’re interested in learning more about them, discover more via reputable online suppliers.

Here are some of the positive benefits that have been recorded.

Pain Relief

Kratom has been used as an effective pain-reliever for various chronic ailments. People who suffer from arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteomalacia and other serious conditions use kratom. A lot of sufferers from chronic pain either can’t take opioids or don’t find any relief from them.

Kratom’s alkaloids have been compared to morphine’s effectiveness, but without the risk of addiction.

Addiction Treatment

Users in Southeast Asia have known about kratom’s counter-opioid properties for a long time. Their countries have battled opioids introduced through international drug trafficking. Kratom contains compounds that activate the receptors for opiates, which nullifies the cravings of addicts.

Kratom also helps calm withdrawal symptoms by treating the cramps and nausea that accompanies it. Anti-anxiety properties of kratom also help users overcome their urges to relapse, offering a way out of their cycle.

Anti-Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

As we just mentioned, kratom is an effective anti-anxiety medicine. Kratom benefits those who suffer from all variations of depression and stress. It helps balances the body’s levels of endorphins and serotonin levels.

This is partly the reason behind kratom’s rapid growth in popularity as a social activity. Kratom bars have grown exponentially in the past two years. This is the same way that kratom is enjoyed in Southeast Asian countries.

Kratom is a life-saver for those with extreme forms of depression and anxiety, including PTSD, claustrophobia, and extremely stressful jobs that demand long hours. Kratom won’t prevent you from doing your job, nor will it create suicidal symptoms.

A Safer Study Aid

The popular off-label study aid Adderall is another major epidemic in the country. The dangerous side-effects from abuse are not shared by kratom, the alternative study aid drug. Along with the mood-boosting properties, kratom calms the nerves and boosts focus.

The release of acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine help contribute to longer periods of concentration and motivation.

Positive Motivation

Along with the “feel good” chemicals released by kratom, it also triggers the sympathetic release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. This gets your blood pumping (naturally) and your confidence higher. This is a completely safe and controlled way to boost your self-esteem and motivation to overcome your challenges.

Lowered Risk of Heart Disease

There aren’t any long-term studies out there that link this kratom benefit, but the underlying factors are there. Drinking kratom lowers blood pressure, gets the blood pumping, and keeps the heart healthy. Kratom isn’t just a drink for younger crowds, it’s a valuable medicine for older audiences who have cardiovascular problems.

Improved Sex/Libido

While kratom steals the headlines with it’s pain-relieving, counter-opioid properties, there is another hidden benefit. Kratom is considered an aphrodisiac and has been used to treat sexual disorders for centuries. This includes erectile dysfunction, low libido, and issues with ejaculation.

The effects of kratom’s libido-enhancing qualities can be felt shortly after consumption. This aphrodisiac is also purported to enhance orgasms and overall pleasure during sex. In some rare cases, kratom can have the opposite effect.

Some blends of kratom can also create a warming “feel good” sensation in the genitals without stimulation. This would make one sexy gift idea for a loved one.

Better R.E.M. (Sleep)

Some people can sleep for 9, 10 hours and still feel fatigued. This low-quality is linked to poor sleep cycles. When we fall asleep, we don’t immediately go into a deep sleep.

REM, also known as rapid eye movement, is a stage where the body is able to repair connections, form memories, and store energy.

Prescriptions, such as anti-depressants, decongestants, and even sleep aids can interrupt the body’s sleep cycles. Kratom can correct it by enhancing the release of melatonin and calming the body’s nerves. Users also report fewer instances of waking up mid-sleep.

Reduces Inflammation

Mitragynine, the primary component in kratom, has been linked to anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it an effective drug for reducing swelling from an injury or chronic illness. It has also been observed as a treatment for allergic reactions, irritation, and skin burns.

Anti-Diarrhetic

Because kratom can help calm or balance the body’s nervous system, it can have a direct impact on bowel issues. The parasympathetic response of the nervous system can become overactive, which causes diarrhea.

Kratom can slow this response down, as well as mitigate inflammatory diseases, such as GERD, Chron’s, and ulcerative colitis. It’s not a cure for these diseases, but it can provide some relief.

Antioxidant and Anti-Carcinogenic

Similar to teas, kratom provides strong anti-oxidant properties. It can increase production of superoxide dismutase and glutathione. These antioxidants fight against free radicals and genetic mutations that can lead to cancer.

In no way can we claim that kratom can treat cancer or even prevent it. We do recommend it as part of a healthy, anti-carcinogenic regimen. There’s no harm in being proactive with so many variables that contribute to cancer.

Reduced Appetite

Unlike marijuana or CBD oils, kratom does not increase appetite, rather it lowers it. The calming effects produced by kratom are tied to the regulation of hormones. In particular, the hypothalamus gland can help stop binge eating and reduce unhealthy cravings.

Kratom makes for a great companion to any weight-loss program.

Improved Stamina

Because kratom helps improve blood pressure levels and circulation, it indirectly improves overall stamina. Those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome or prescription-related fatigue will notice an improvement. You can experience hours of increased energy from just one serving of kratom.

Many kratom users talk about seeing an improved athletic performance. This makes for a safer alternative to caffeine, as it will not dehydrate you.

Impact on Diabetes

There are conflicting reports on what kratom actually does to blood sugar levels. Some say it lowers it or increases insulin production. Others note that kratom improves the transfer of glucose to the tissues that need it.

One indirect way that kratom can help those with diabetes is through pain management. Pain can directly impact one’s blood sugar levels, so treating it can effectively regulate blood sugar levels.

Kratom can theoretically reduce the amount of insulin one needs throughout the day. This could greatly reduce the financial stress on those with diabetes.

Fibromyalgia

We want to address this chronic pain disease in its own separate category. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia and use kratom have noticed its effectiveness because of the mitragynine. This alkaloid helps as a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory agent.

Kratom has another advantage in that it doesn’t cause nausea and drowsiness associated with fibromyalgia medications. Certain kratom strains provide high levels of pain relief without feeling “stoned.”

Kratom for Dogs

All of the amazing benefits of kratom we’ve listed can be extended to dogs, too. Giving kratom to dogs requires a much lower dosage, but it does produce similar results. Dogs that suffer from illnesses such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and anxiety issues can benefit from kratom.

Even dogs that suffer from various stages of cancers should be given this miracle drug. It is one of the few recorded effective pain relievers for dogs that are dying from cancer. It can provide energy, comfort, and the quality of palliative care that is otherwise unobtainable.

Kratom isn’t recommended for other cats or other small pets. This is due to a lack of information on how it is processed in smaller organs.

Improving Health at Home

Hopefully, this list of kratom benefits has inspired you to think outside the box. As with medical marijuana, the science and medical industry is stunted on the funding and research of natural medicines. Big Pharma has a lot to do with that, of course.

If you’re a DIY’er and pride yourself on solving life’s problems on your own, then there’s plenty of advice like this on Thrifty Momma Ramblings. Discover more useful health guides, home improvements, and lifestyle advice.

Frugality is a lifestyle that everyone should live. You just have to experience the liberating feeling of exceeding financial expectations.

Everyone wants to win the lottery. Some swear by lucky methods, others allow the machines to pick for them. But winning the lotto could change your life, so next time, don’t leave it completely up to chance.

Most countries around the world participate in lotteries, making millionaires of citizens overnight. No matter where you play the lotto, there are a few strategies you can employ to up your chances of becoming the next winner.

While there is no foolproof method for winning, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of winning big or at least earning some extra money.

Read on to help you develop your strategy on how to pick winning lottery numbers.

How to Pick Winning Lottery Numbers: Choose Numbers That Win Most Frequently

Many states will offer free statistics to allow you to see how frequently numbers are chosen. Some numbers get picked more often than others. This may be due to chance, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t get their time to shine more often.

Don’t incorporate the most frequently chosen numbers all at once, however. The odds of all of them being chosen at once is incredibly rare. Instead, focus on one or two most frequently drawn numbers.

Statistics differ for different types of games. The most frequent numbers for Euro Millions, for example, will be different from Powerball, which will, in turn, be different from Mega Millions. Make sure you’re looking at the correct chart before you choose.

Remember, even though numbers get drawn more frequently, each number still has an equal chance of being drawn.

Keep playing the numbers that get drawn the most frequently. Although they may not come up immediately, since they do come up often, over time you will eventually see a win. This may not mean you’ll win the jackpot, but you’ll likely win a consolation prize at some point.

Using the Same Numbers Over and Over

Some people choose numbers based on lucky numbers, significant dates or birthdays of family members. There are stories of individuals who have won after choosing the same numbers for the past 20 years, and finally having their lucky day.

If you frequently buy lottery tickets, purchasing two tickets is advisable when employing this strategy. One ticket should have your “lucky” numbers, while another should have tickets chosen from a different strategy.

You may even repeatedly enter the same set of lucky numbers to double your chances of them coming up eventually.

Choose Numbers That Haven’t Come Up in a While

While all numbers, statistically speaking, have the same chance of coming up, choosing numbers that are overdue can also be a significant strategy.

Using the same statistics, you can tell which numbers come up least often, or which numbers have not come up in years. In some lotteries around the world, statistics state that they haven’t had some numbers come up for over 70 years. That doesn’t mean the number is actually due to come up, or that it ever will, but it is still a strategy some people employ.

The numbers will come up eventually, however. And it might be you who gives them their moment to shine.

Don’t Toss Away Second-Chance Games

Many lotteries offer second chance games. These can be in the form of scratch-off, name draws and a variety of other contests. Some people get annoyed when they don’t win and toss their tickets, which can mean they have actually lost out on a chunk of money.

While you may not win the $300 million jackpot, you might still be in the running for $100,000. While it’s a pittance compared to the jackpot, for many, $100,000 would be a life-changing amount.

Double and Triple Check Your Numbers

Make sure you double and triple check your numbers. This may sound like common sense, but people have thrown out their winning lottery tickets because they misread them. Imagine realizing that weeks later!

Go over each number as carefully as possible, and make sure you’re checking the correct lottery. There are several lotteries that operate at once, and it can get confusing. Double check the name of the game as well.

Enter as Many Games as Possible

As mentioned above, there are many different lotteries going on at one time. You can go to this website to check out what’s going on in the United States. But if you have family that lives abroad, or you’re going abroad, you can also enter the lottery there.

This increases your chances, and also means you have several amounts you can win.

If you do this, you need to be extra vigilant about which numbers you’re checking. Read and re-read the names of the lotteries so you don’t check against the wrong ticket. Again, you don’t want to lose out because you misread it.

If You Find a Ticket Dropped or Thrown Out, Don’t Discard It

They say one man (or woman’s) trash is another man’s treasure. This couldn’t be truer than when it comes to lottery tickets. Often people misread their tickets or check them against the wrong lotto, and then throw their tickets out.

Later, a stranger finds the ticket in the trash or on the ground and it turns out to be their ticket to riches.

If you do find a lottery ticket on the ground or discarded, don’t just leave it. Check it against the lotto it is for and see if you’ve won. You might be a winner without even having to buy a lotto ticket.

Use a Random Number Generator

Although not as exciting, using a random number generator can help you reap rewards. Use Random.org, which is programmed for 280 lotteries all over the world. Simply plug in which lottery you’re looking to win and it will generate the required amount of numbers.

This is probably as statistically sound as any “quick pick” you get when you buy a randomly generated ticket, but many people prefer to use this system. This way, they can see the numbers first, and then approve them before they take them to purchase their lotto ticket.

Buy Lotto Tickets Frequently

Don’t go overboard, or you might go bankrupt while trying to play the lotto. Most people, however, don’t win on their first try. Instead, many play week after week, month after month, and even year after year before they see results.

Continue to enter the lotto as much as possible, if you can afford it. Don’t charge lotto tickets to a credit card if you can’t afford it, as it might not be a profitable pay-off in the end.

You can also ask for lottery tickets for special occasions, such as having them tucked away in birthday cards or for the winter holidays. This will be a cheap gift for someone to purchase for you, in addition to giving you yet another chance to win the game.

Although you may never win the big jackpot, if you continue to play, you’ll likely one day win some money. It might be a few thousand dollars, but that is a better payout than absolutely nothing.

Use the Ticket That Has Performed the Best in the Past

Statistically speaking, there are tickets that have won frequently in the past. There are some numbers that would have garnered someone a few million dollars by now if they had continually played them in every lotto for several years.

Although this strategy is similar to picking lucky numbers, it involves simply finding out which ticket has performed the best in the lotto you’re playing.

Over time, you’re bound to win some money, even if it isn’t the whole $100 million jackpot.

Use Statistics

There are some statistical approaches that work well, and if you learn them, you might be able to increase your chances.

The Delta Method, for example, involves choosing numbers between certain digits, adding them together and randomizing them to create number sequences.

The Wheeling Approach involves purchasing several tickets and using every single combination of one set of numbers. While this method is incredibly popular, it can become expensive relatively quickly. In the UK lottery, for example, any one set of numbers can have as many as 5005 combinations.

While this certainly ups your chances of winning, it also means you’re spending a big chunk of your paycheck on lottery numbers. However, the Wheeling approach is good for those who are going in together as a group and plan to split the winnings in several ways.

Go in As a Group

You can pool money together with coworkers, family or friends and purchase hundreds of lottery combinations. This method, however, involves the promise that you will actually split the money if you win and can cause serious issues among people in the event of a winning ticket.

But, it can be a good method for jackpots that are hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Takeaway

There is no clear answer to the question of how to pick winning lottery numbers. There is no science, as ultimately, it is all up to chance. Winning, though, can change your life if you’re one of the lucky ones that manage it.

Check out our blog for more information on saving money and how to make your paycheck stretch as far as possible.

Do you dream of a closet that’s as perfectly organized as your favorite celebrity’s?

Do you know that you have a seriously crowded closet on your hand, but feel overwhelmed by even the thought of organizing it?

Would you like to buy new pieces, but understand that you just don’t have any room in your closet for this season’s hottest trends right now?

If so, then you need to keep on reading this post.

In it, we’ll tell you three of the top tips about how to organize your closet and cut clutter and old clothes out of your life for good.

1. Get Ruthless

The first step to tackling a crowded closet?

You need to have a serious discussion with yourself about the things that you actually wear.

First of all, remove anything that still has a tag on it and has been in your closet for over a month. If you haven’t worn it yet, you’re not going to. Sell it on places like Poshmark to make a profit.

Or, donate unworn or gently used clothes to a local charity or homeless shelter.

This is a great way to open up space in your closet, and it will allow you to plan your outfits more quickly in the morning.

You’ll probably also rediscover pieces you’ve completely forgotten about.

2. Invest in the Right Hangers

The types of hangers you buy don’t just upgrade the look of your closet. They can also be serious space-saving tools.

You can even color organize closet space by choosing hangers that have several different tiers.

For example, layer all of your jeans on hangers. Then, next to it, place all of your white pants on a tiered hanger. Hang your leggings, hats, and even purses on specialty hangers and organizers, as well.

This will make it much easier for you to find what you need. Plus, by hanging items vertically, you’ll save yourself a ton of space.

3. Bag up Out of Season Pieces

So, what if you’re a little bit more of a clothes horse than most people, and your wardrobe has officially outgrown your crowded closet space?

Before you call in the services of a professional closet organization, try separating your clothes according to the season.

Instead of having your large winter coats take up half of the space in your closet, bag them up and store them instead.

Invest in vacuum sealer plastic rolls like these from Save It Fresh. Not only will this save you some serious space, it will also help to protect your clothing from getting damaged in the storage process.

Simplify your Crowded Closet with These Tips

We hope that this post has taught you just how easy it can be to tackle and organize a crowded closet. Remember to buy the right hangers, get rid of what you don’t need, and store out of season pieces in vacuum bags.

Looking for more advice about how to organize your life and save some serious money in the process? We’ve got you covered.

Keep checking back with our blog for more tips on how to master everything in your life.

Orlando, Washington, Charlotte, New York, and Atlanta.

You probably know a lot about these cities, individually. But with that single sentence, you’re most likely wondering “Why the grouping?”

The simple answer: Couponing!

In a CNBC article, it showed that these five cities are the top when it comes to frugal living. And frugal it is, what with each person saving more than $200. New Yorkers who used coupons top the list in amount saved, at a whopping $476!

This shows just how they’re worth every second you download or cut them out.

And this how to coupon for beginners guide we’ve come up with will show you how it’s done. Time to get all those pennies and dollars saved!

1. How to Coupon for Beginners Starts with Knowing Where to Start

First things first: Know where you can get those coupons.

You don’t have to look hard and long, seeing as there are just so many sites you can obtain them from. After all, the value of distributed consumer packed goods coupons total to a $470 billion in the U.S. alone!

Just do a quick Google search using the keyword “coupons” and you’ll get 141 million results in less than a second. That’s how popular these money-savers are, and how easy you’ll find them to access.

Going traditional is a great way to start though. Start with your newspapers and magazines. These are some of the best sources of coupons. Especially the papers with the most extensive circulation or coverage.

From here, you can go around and ask your non-coupon-using family and friends for their copies of the papers and mags. So long as they’ll just put these up for recycling after reading, they’ll be more than happy for you to put them to better use.

And there’s the World Wide Web of course. Just check out these Enfamil coupons Walmart accepts. With that $5 discount for a price of less than $5, that makes it almost free. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that?

Here’s a how to coupon for beginners reminder though:

If the store you want to use the coupons for don’t have at least five products you’re looking for, save the coupons for next time. It’ll be just a bother, not to mention waste of time, effort, and gas if you can only get a couple of products in one go.

2. Start Organizing

All those cut outs can quickly turn into a disastrous mess. So, before you start cutting them into itsy bitsy pieces, get yourself an organizing kit. It can be envelopes, folders, or binders.

The important thing is, organize them depending on how you usually work things out. For instance, it’s a good idea to color code them based on their use.

Check out this more in-depth how to coupon for beginners tip on color-coding:

• Use a green folder or binder for discount coupons on vegetables and other produce
• Red for meat and poultry
• White for household cleaning solutions, detergents, dishwashers, etc.
• Yellow for tools and DIY supplies

These are just examples, but feel free to use them or base your own strategies on them. They’ll all boil down to helping you save time and energy once you’re at the store.

3. Compare Discount Rates

Just because you’ll already get discounts from them doesn’t mean they’ll all give you the same amount of savings. You still have to do a bit of research to figure out which coupons offer the biggest money-saving deal.

So, take the time to compare the deals each coupon offers. Also, make sure to check out the stores themselves carrying the products you want to get.

This way, you can find out if the store has its own promotion. And if it has a better deal, then you can save up the coupon for your next hugely-discounted shopping expedition.

4. Matchmaking Time

Here’s a must-remember how to coupon for beginners trick: Learn the art and science of coupon matchups!

Sometimes, there are items you can use multiple coupons on. By matching these up, you’re on your way to getting even more savings. A few examples of stores that allow this coupon matchmaking technique are Walmart, While Foods, Walgreens, Target, and Rite Aid among many others.

Since you’re most likely doing your shopping in one go, it’s best you plan for the matchups a few days before. It takes time to determine which coupons match with what, but the huge savings you’ll get is definitely worth the time.

5. Focus on Your Needs

Coupons are definitely some of the most ingenious money-saving inventions for consumers. However, incorrect use can lead to you spending more than your initial goal.

As a newcomer to the world of couponing, a problem you most likely will encounter is sorting through all the rubble of coupons you may not need. Especially those that will make you spend more despite your goal of actually pinching pennies.

So, a how to coupon for beginners you should never forget is to prioritize clipping for items you have the greatest need for. And it starts with figuring out what exactly you need right away.

Perhaps you need children’s milk, such as Enfamil, for your kids. Or maybe you’re low on household supplies, like detergents, bath soaps, dishwashing liquids, etc. Whichever the case is, it’s a good idea to check your pantry and supply storage to find out what you’re lacking or low on supply in.

And from there, focus your coupon search on just these items.

6. Make a List

Making a “To-Do List” is crucial to productivity. It lets you organize and prioritize your tasks. Following this list then results not just in timely completion of your tasks, but better output too.

The same applies to couponing. When you create a list of items you need based on your needs’ urgency, you’ll have an easier time finding coupons and getting those that give you the greatest savings.

In addition, you can use the same list when you do the shopping itself, as it lets you avoid the pitfalls of the aisles. Not having a list puts you at risk of forgetting your main goal, not to mention the possibility of impulse buying.

So, before you head out to your next extreme couponing adventure, don’t forget this list. It can make a huge difference in your expedition’s success, as well as your wallet’s thickness.

Want More Money-Saving Tips?

Looking for more advice on thrifty living and saving money? We’ve got you covered!

Go and explore our blog site for more great life hacks to save money while still living comfortably.