A Goal for 2010

Notice that I didn't say resolution? I don't believe in those because well, I always seem to fail at those. Goals, though, I can get behind.

So, last year, in an effort to try and live more cheaply, ahem, frugally, I started trying to come up with a couponing routine. I did pretty well, for a while, but then I had this beautiful baby girl come along, and I fell off the wagon. I had the best of intentions, but it just was really hard to do. I decided to make 2010 my year for really getting this.

My friend, Becky, at one point last year, pointed out to me that I needed to be tracking my percentage saved. The more I thought about it, the more I realized she was right. Even though I love math, and I teach math, I must humbly admit that I am awful at percentages. So, what's a girl to do? Ask her tech-savvy husband to make her a spreadsheet. Now, when I get back from shopping, I can plug it all in and see how much I am saving!

Do you know what that has done? It has turned me into a raving lunatic savvy shopper! I am totally obsessed with seeing how much I can save! Last week, I did a run to Walgreens to stock up on Lubriderm. I never used to buy it, because it can be pricey. I have now stocked up on it and it pretty much will last me all year! I had great coupons, it was on sale, and I had a rebate! All this together meant that I saved 62%! On Saturday, I went grocery shopping. I saved 34%! I was excited about that but moreover, I was motivated to do even better next time!

I am off to Walgreens in a bit to stock up on Bayer Quick Release Crystals. The stuff is a dream for getting rid of headaches! This week if I buy 3 of the 20 packs (at $2.19 each-normally $8!), I get a register reward on a future purchase of $6! That is like getting it free! The key though is if you buy more than 3 to separate the purchases.

I am really getting into this! I love saving money, how about you? Any saving tips you'd like to share? Do you want me to share more of what I am learning as I learn it?