If you are getting started with coupons, or if you have been couponing for some time, chances are, at some point in time you experienced burnout & frustration.

Finding & doing deals can be so much fun – but after a while, sometimes that same excitement can turn into exhaustion and frustration… especially when you feel like you need to get every deal.

Many of you follow blogs that help you find deals – adding in social media, and you can sometimes find yourself spending all day on the computer, or constantly looking at your phone to make sure you don’t miss a deal.

I too have experienced burnout – it’s exhausting to try to get every deal – even more so in the summer when it’s really hot in Arizona and you are toting children with you.  Here are some tips to help you avoid burnout & a few to help you get back on track.

Start Small & Set Limits

In previous coupon classes I have held, I have always mentioned the need to starting very small – most new couponers get over excited to get a deal at the beginning, and try to take on too much, too quickly.  Take some time to understand how coupons work; spend some time setting a budget for your shopping trips or monthly groceries, and jotting down what you would like to achieve with your coupon savings.

Don’t Compare

Try to keep in mind that any savings is GOOD savings – try not to compare yourself with others who may be coupling right along with you. Every person has their own methods – and will have their own opportunities to shine. Don’t let someone else’s trip pictures or shopping experience doubt your ability to save.

Realize that it’s Ok to Spend Money

Couponing does not mean that you need to can’t buy real items – so many times, especially in our area, folks will get used to getting items for cheap or FREE that they forget there are some things that NEED to be purchased – try to remember those things your family must have, and understand that you might not have coupons to reduce that price – but the savings you achieve from other items in your purchase will compensate for those items that are household necessities for your spouse or children.

Shop at One Store 

I recommend selecting one grocery store as your “go-to” store, and one drugstore. This will help eliminate the feeling that you need to go to every store, every day, for every deal. OR … set a schedule- and shop at each store just once per week as needed. There is no need to stop in on a daily basis… remember that the fuel and time you are spending to stop at every store can cost you that coupon savings.

Limit your Time Online & on Social Media

The internet and Facebook are both a detriment to your time each day – although they do bring us news & deals almost every second of the day, if you don’t set a limit you can easily spend much more time than needed with little to show for it.  Not only is that time that you could have spent tending to your household, or children, it’s also creating a sense of urgency that you must go get every deal … your time is valuable.. focus on using it wisely and if that means setting a timer, then give that a try. You may find yourself feeling much less stressed each day.

Accept the Fact that you Will Miss Deals

You can’t possibly get every deal at every store – and that will take quite a while for you to accept. As much as you want to, it’s not possible.  Not only will trying to get to every store cost you fuel, it also takes considerable time – have a notepad & pen next to your computer and jot down deals at each store – instead of visiting daily, take the list & gather your coupons to go one day that week.  

Skip Using Coupons

Believe it or not, most of your savings comes in the sales from the grocery store – not so much by using coupons. You can still save by shopping for those sale items, and in some cases, you can save just as much by NOT using coupons. So if you are feeling exhausted, try skipping coupons for a week – use the Price List to pick up produce, milk, eggs, and bread. Challenge yourself to using the items you already have in the pantry instead of running out & picking up more.

Remember that Sales Run in Cycles

Sales run in 9-12 week cycles – next time you feel the urge to run out and jump in your car, take a peek in your pantry and asses what you have on the shelf. If you have 15 packages of Ivory Soap, it might not be worth driving over there to the store at 11 pm to get more – just add it to your list and pick it up next time you’re there. Try to remember what is in your stockpile .. and plan your trips accordingly.

Find other Ways to Save

Couponing is just ONE way you can keep yourself in tune with your budget – there are several other ways you can save on everything from Food to Household – here are some tips.

• Saving Money on Meat
• Saving Money on Produce
• Saving Money without Using Coupons
• Saving Money on Toilet Paper

Always Have a Goal 

Always remember why you started couponing. Was it to pay a bill? Allow you to stay home? Put money in your savings?  Remember to always have that goal in mind.  We started couponing because we went from 2 large incomes to one – we carefully set up a budget, and our grocery allocation needs to be able to stretch to feed six.  Draw up a monthly budget if you don’t yet have one, and determine where you are at financially – you aren’t going to know where you are going, without mapping out where you are currently at AND setting up a plan to get to your end goal.