You Don't HAVE to Use It

When I was little, I remember listening to my Grandma say she needed to go to the store, my dad asking what she needed, Grandma responding with "I have a coupon," and the ensuing discussion about how she didn't need to buy baby powder or cereal or whatever it was just because she had a coupon. Though he wasn't talking to me, I've found this an invaluable lesson in my money-saving ventures.

This holiday season, my inbox has been BOMBARDED with sales, promotions, coupons, gimmicks, updates on my "special interests" and everything in between. 7 for $25 here, $10 off your purchase of $50 there, and let's not forget 40% off site-wide.

Wow. Excellent deals. For someone so intent on saving money, all of those percentages off, dollars off, and coupon codes are very tempting. And tempting though it might be, just because it's on sale right now does NOT mean I need to buy it right now.

I'm not getting these advertisements because I'm special, because said businesses care about saving me money, or because they think I deserve to splurge. It's on sale right now and I'm targeted with these advertisements because the company is trying to move out stock to prepare for the new season and trying to meet it's sales quota.

I always have to remind myself that the best way to save money as a consumer is to reverse this process. Yes, I still am signed up for promotions from any store I could possibly need something from. But I wait until I need something and THEN start reading those emails. Once I've decided I really do need that toaster, accent pillow, scarf, etc, I start looking for the sales, promo codes, and printable coupons for the stores I know have what I want. But if I'm looking for a gallon pitcher, that does not mean I need to open the Michael's ad.

I find that during the winter holidays (and in all of the sales right after - I'm lookin' at you, January), it takes the MOST restraint out of any time of the year. They do this to us on purpose. But if you are in the market for something particular, now is the time to buy!