Sunday, February 16, 2014

Couponing with Alicia...

When I first began The Kitchen Wife, I asked what you, my readers, would like to see on here.  One of the UNANIMOUS requests was for information on couponing.  Now, I myself am not a couponer, but I am fortunate enough to know Alicia Holbert, who, in all honesty, should be on the show Extreme Couponers.  She is going to be doing a series of guest posts for me, and I know you will find what she has to say very useful!  Enjoy!
 
~The Kitchen Wife~
 
 
When Mandee asked me to do a series on couponing I was very excited. I have always tried to save money at the grocery store, but by including coupons I have been able to stock up on my family's essentials.
 
 
 
 When we unexpectedly got pregnant with Carsten, in 2011, I decided I needed to be a stay at home mom. It had always been a dream of mine, but I knew at that point God was going to help me make it a reality. At the end of my first trimester I got news that my position was being moved to the main office in Texas. News like that can shake even a seasoned believer.  However, God always makes a big move for his people. Since we had no plans of moving to Texas, God opened another door. A facility within the company needed a new employee. This time however, it wasn't for me. My husband found employment and weeks after my son was born I was able to stay home with my children.
 
 
            While it can be possible to be a one income family, it takes hard work, creativity and planning. In the summer of 2012 the facility that Steve worked at had to cut hours. I felt so overwhelmed. With two kids in diapers, that saying 'stretched thin' was an understatement. I got so frustrated. I really felt that God had placed me in a position to be a stay at home mom, and now we were at a place that would leave me with little to no money for groceries. After my initial reaction subsided, I prayed. I knew God had always brought us through and supplied, but this time I didn't want to have a good attitude. Thank God, he can look past our attitudes! Then within a few days I started seeing all these posts about coupons. I felt encouraged. As I got started, I got excited. This could work. I felt peace from God about doing this. I don't feel that this is a hard concept, but I do think with planning and focus this can be a blessing.
 
            In the next few weeks I will go over the how-to's of couponing. Then we will move into how to make the most of it by creating your own stockpile. As we finish up, I would like to let you in on some secrets of how to save where coupons don't help. I am sure you will feel just as excited about saving for your family as I am for mine. Feel free to post questions at the end of any and all posts, I want to make sure you are being the best steward of what God has supplied for each and everyone of you.
 
            Currently my house is stocked with large quantities of the things my family needs most. Most of which I have paid very little. It has taken time, but it is so worth it. There have been seasons I really didn't know what I would have done had God not have put in my heart to be prepared. I wholeheartedly believe that we should be good stewards of the funds God gives us. That means large in sum or little. I am lead to that scripture so often and my heart is always full knowing that I have given my best to be a good steward with the funds my family has been given. We are truly blessed when we use what we are given with an open and contented heart. I leave you with the following verse: Proverbs 21:5. “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” I just love it. It is perfect for my take on saving money with coupons.
 
 
BIO:
 I am a stay at home mom of one  preschool cowgirl and one musical toddler. Married almost 7 years to my real prince charming. I hale from the quiet little town of Williamstown where I am surrounded by extended family and friends. I am learning to take all of life's curve balls in stride, with a lot of help from God, of course
 

 
 

4 comments:

  1. Looking forward to these posts. I use coupons whenever I can! :)

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    1. I am excited about this series as well! I know Alicia has A LOT of insight for everyone!

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  2. Replies
    1. I am hoping to become more of one through all of this.

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