His Provision = Our Responsibility

I LOVE A BARGAIN!!!! I don't know when it began, but it's true. And I feel as though once you begin seeing the benefits of coupons/bargaining you won't be able to keep yourself from doing it. Today I found myself with a little bit of time so I went store hopping to use some of my coupons before they expired. I don't usually store hop for deals, but I had extra time today so it was well worth it. Today's trip included odds and ends things that technically could have waited, but since I had the coupons and the stores had deals it really was saving me money in the long run.

Today I had a coupon that equaled a Starbucks brand beverage and bag of candy for free. I had another coupon that when mixed with the stores promotional equaled getting one pack of razors for half price and the other for free. And to top it off I had a $2 . 00 coupon for Jacks kibble making it $4 .00 and it came with a box (not a sample size box I might add) of free treats. All of this costing less than $15 .00. That may not seem like a deal to you, but it does to me. The razors usually cost $7 .00 a pack, the drink is over a dollar a can, the candy is close to a dollar a bag, kibble for a small bag (depending on the store) is anywhere from $5-7 dollars (I always get super excited when I find a coupon for Jacks kibble. It seems they rarely have coupons for it in my local paper)  and the treats cost about $4 .00 a box. I often buy my cosmetics and other toiletries at drug stores due to the fact that they usually have a buy one get one free or half off deal running. When mixing those type promotions with coupons it's hard to find a cheaper way to purchase beauty items.

Another way to save a buck takes less than 5 minutes of your time. SURVEYS!! I know what you're thinking. Don't panic, I'm talking about the surveys at the bottom of a receipt. I currently have about $30 .00 worth of savings in my wallet from surveys that took less that 5 minutes of my time to take. So, before you throw away that receipt check it out first it may have $2 .00 of a pair of shoes, a free GINORMOUS beverage, $10 .00 of your fave lingerie shop or a certain percentage off of a clothing store. Often these discounts can be combined with the stores promotion's or other coupons making your savings even greater. One of the many beauties to these discounts is that they either don't expire or don't expire for close to a year depending on the store.

One more money saving tip from me and then it's your turn to share some tips. In my multiple moves over the years there is always a time of purging. Haven't you ever just wanted to throw it all away and start over the next place you land ? Of course I never give into that urge, but I have begun the process of sorting, sifting, selling, and purging. Some items are of no use to anyone anymore so they get tossed. Some items you have multiples of, so they get sifted/sorted with the extra going to a friend, being repurposed or donated. Some items you will never use/watch/read/listen to, but are of financial value, these items are sold or traded. One of the best things about West Knoxville and Chattanooga is that there is a McKays. McKays is a used book/dvd/cd- etc. store where you can take your gently used or new books/dvd's/cd's-etc to be sold for cash or traded for McKay's dollars. I often trade for McKays dollars because 1.there is always another book, dvd or cd that I'd like to have and 2. they will give you more in McKays dollars than in US dollars.  Since most of their items are new or gently used and are almost half the price you'd pay in the store I see no other way to purchase books and dvd's. To research McKays for yourself please feel free to click on McKays .

Through the years I've grown very convicted over how I spend my money. I believe it is my responsibility to do my best with what the Lord has provided. Whether that is financial or physical provision. Physical provision being clothes, books, jewlery, plants, etc. While at the moment I have only myself and Jack to provide for I may one day have a little family of my own to plan meals, purchase school supplies for, etc. And there's no time like the present to begin honing your providing/planning/budgeting skills. I have many friends that are amazing examples of what I hope to be when I am a wife and mother when it comes to helping provide for my family. One of them is very frugal with their finances. I think of this as a GREAT thing!! She is diligent to be sure she is getting the best deal for her money and her families needs. I absolutely believe that the Lord blesses her and her husbands efforts to be responsible, faithful and aware with what He has given to them.

Now, my friend Cindy is the true coupon-er in our group of friends. She has a baseball card sized binder that she organizes them all in. She also has a blog and has been known to post good spots to find deals, coupons and freebies. You can check out her tips and posts by clicking
So The Cook Said
                   

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your

needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be

 food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty,

 “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and

 pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

Enjoy His Provision!!!