How to be Rich*

*Rich: having enough money to buy things that you need and some things that you want

If you're reading this blog, you are probably interested in saving money. Coupons are a fantastic way to save money on groceries and toiletries, but there are so many other ways to save! I find myself in a trifecta of being poor (as a young, recently graduated newlywed), so I have learned a thing or two hundred about being broke. I'd love to share some tips with you and hear some of your tips, too!

Learn how to coupon effectively.
(Did I even need to list this one?)

Cut down on unnecessary expenses. 
I know this seems obvious, but some people dish out money for things that they don't even need or use. Do you really still need a landline? How many of those 2,000 channels do you actually watch regularly? Can you clean your house instead of hiring the job out to someone else?

Pack a lunch.
I have a confession: I love going out to lunch in the middle of a busy day at work. It's a nice break to get away from the madness that comes with working around kids all day! At my previous job, I ate out almost every day at lunch. Now, though, I pack every day and I can't believe how much money I'm saving. Think about it: if I spent an average of $3/day for a lunch, that's $15/week. When I pack, I spend about $8 and get enough stuff to last me for 2 weeks. That's a $22 savings in just 2 weeks! In addition to saving money, I've also lost weight. Whoo!

Budget, budget, budget.
My husband and I are preparing to begin the "envelope system" method of budgeting. The name is self-explanitory, but the basic idea is that, when you receive a paycheck, you get it out in cash and divide it into envelopes. You should have a pre-determined budget for each envelope (for example, $100/paycheck for gas, $25/paycheck for eating out and entertainment, etc.). Bills go into envelopes, too, although we will be re-depositing that money into the bank and writing checks for bills. Using this system is said to give you financial freedom, because you always know where your money is going and you can budget money for things you want and need (for example, work shoes!) I also know from experience that I am much less likely to spend unnecessary money if I have to fork over cash instead of just swiping my debit card. I am excited to begin this budgeting method and will keep you updated! (I will link to more information at the bottom of this post!)

Pay off debts.
Obviously, this one is easier said than done! Thomas and I have an intimidating amount of medical bills (thanks, asthma!), a credit card, a car... OH! and student loans to pay off. It will be easier when we begin the envelope system, and I can't wait to feel the excitement of paying off loans. It'll be awhile before we're debt-free, but we're setting goals and will be working toward them.

Here are some other quick tips that I have learned:
-When eating out, drink water or share a drink with someone else. When Thomas and I go to Chipotle, we buy 1 small soft drink and just keep refilling it!
-Don't shop at convenience stores. I know, I know... they're convenient. Just remember that you'll be paying for it!
-Use cruise control. This has been a lifesaver during my 65-mile daily commute to and from work! It saves gas like you wouldn't believe. And, on that note...
-Don't let your gas tank go below half-full. There is a scientific reason for it that I can't properly explain, but I do know that it takes less money to fill it from half-a-tank than to fill the whole tank!

***Here is some more information on the envelope budgeting system!***

Brand Loyalty

If you're anything like me, you know exactly what you want at the grocery store. It used to be that whenever I went to the store with a list of items to purchase, I knew exactly what brands to pick up. Typically, it was whatever brand was cheapest. This all changed, though, when I started to use coupons. When I first began clipping, I would only look for coupons/sales for my usual brand, assuming that anything else would be too expensive. My eyes would totally ignore coupons for any brand besides what I was used to. I've learned, though, that it is good to try new things... especially when they're dirt cheap!

Frequently, higher-priced brands will have higher-value coupons that, when paired with a sale, will make that brand cheaper than a lesser-quality product!

(As much as I love saving money, this was a hard lesson. I am definitely a creature of habit!)

Nowadays, I really couldn't care less what brands I pick up. I can't tell you what brand of toothpaste is in my bathroom right now, or what kind of body wash my husband uses. (I know what kind I use, because I got a killer deal on it!) There are, though, a few brands I will not stray from, even if I have coupons for another brand.

1.)  Q-tips. I think I'm a Q-tip snob. I'm one of those crazies who carries them all the time, and I've found that no other cotton swabs do the trick.
2.) Purina. My cat did not ask to be adopted by someone as cheap frugal as me, and I don't think she should have to settle for a lesser-quality brand because I don't want to shell out a few extra dollars. To me, it's worth the extra cost to keep her healthy. (Oh, and also because I bought generic food once and she wouldn't go within 10 feet of her food bowl. Oops!)
3.) TruMoo. This is kind of a silly one, but I absolutely love chocolate milk, and TruMoo is the best brand. I don't buy it all the time, but I think it's worth the money to have something that I will actually want to drink.

So! There you go. If you want to be a successful couponer, you need to be open to trying new brands... but keep in mind that it's okay to have a handful of brands to be loyal to.