Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Not Being Controlled By Deals

Sometimes, when I'm surrounded by salespapers and coupons, I start feeling like I have to use them all, or take advantage of every deal.  When I give in to this pressure, I am no longer being a blessing to my family and my husband, because now they feel the pressure of making it possible to get to every restaurant before the deadline, or every store before the sale ends.

I have to constantly remind myself that even though I hate to miss a $10 coupon for every $50 purchase at Kohl's, spending money I don't have is a worse evil. 

When I'm tempted to feel disappointed or pressure about missing a deal, I ask myself a few things.  First, did I properly plan for this opportunity?  I have a weekly budget of about $150.  This includes any extra things for the house like dishtowels and pillows, etc.  Regardless of the fact that my $150 is burning in my pocket, I don't have to spend the entire $150 every week.  The smart thing to do is to put the balance in an account for just such emergencies.  This way, maybe I'll have a little extra in my account when a sale like this rolls around.

Secondly, am I using coupons, sales and deals as a means to be a better steward, or are they beginning to have a stewardship over me?  Recently it was my birthday.  I had several restaurant coupons e-mailed to me because of different reward programs.  I ended up getting a bad cold on my birthday, and between that and my family's schedule we never ended up using any (except for a mile high ice cream pie at Champps).  It annoyed me to no end to let my $10 off $20 at Mimi's, free hamburger at Red Robin, and 25% off Ruby Tuesdays go to waste.  I honestly had to meditate on scripture in order to get my peace back!  As silly as this seems, it can be a temptation to let coupons have you in their service rather than allowing them to service you. 

Lastly, I ask myself if I'm more excited about the coupon than the product.  Sometimes I have a great coupon for a restaurant or an item that I don't even care for, but it's a great deal.  Well now I'm just getting greedy.  Maybe there's someone else in my life who could use this item or coupon, but once again I am allowing the coupon or deal to control me rather than it being a blessing to me.

I thought I'd share my thoughts on these issues because I'm sure many people are in the same boat as I am.  There are those who coupon because they have to, and there are those who coupon because they want to.  Make sure that regardless of which camp you're in that your couponing is a tool God places in your hand to be a blessing to your family and the world around you.