the frugal find :: save more, give more, live more {free online coupon class}

In today’s economy I think majority of us are trying to find ways to make our budgets work. I watch the shows such as Extreme Couponing and I think those people are absolutely insane. Why in the world would I want a garage full of pasta, toothpaste, and laundry soap. I want CASH in my bank account, not a stockpile worth blah $$ blah $$ blah. I also don’t want to spend 20 hours a week dumpster diving for coupons and then clipping them.

I’d like to introduce you to the most refreshing and sane couponer I know. Julia, from The Frugal Find. She runs a blog that features deals that are actually applicable to what your family might use and need. I didn’t know Julia when I started following her blog, but I’d say we are cyber friends now. She’s been a blessing, encouragement, and a huge help to me since I started my couponing adventures in 2010. She is very real about her own life and pours herself into her readers and blog. The Frugal Find also is 100% of her family’s income. Her story is moving, and I’m so thankful for all that she does.

Do you feel like you want to save your family money, but couponing is not your thing? I’d encourage you to watch Julia’s FREE online coupon classes. Start with one store and build up your confidence with how it all works. My two favorite stores are Target and CVS. Since I started following The Frugal Find, we have had as much as $200 of wiggle room added to our budget every month and I only spend an hour or two per week preparing and executing shopping trips. I only need 2 sets of coupon inserts to make it happen as well (remember, I won’t dumpster dive!). I subscribe to 1 paper and our area gives us 1 set of coupons free. Obviously that is specific for me, but maybe you have a friend who will give you their inserts each week?

I personally do not follow multiple coupon sites. Julia follows them all and combines the best of the best deals on her blog. She posts online deals daily as well as weekly shopping trips to stores such as Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreen’s, and grocery stores. I let her site do all the work and I simply click the  boxes next to the deals of the week at a particular store and PRINT my list. Yes, it’s as easy as that. You must watch her video for organizing coupons too. I do not clip a single coupon unless I’m going to use it!

If you head over to The Frugal Find, she is hosting a $50 Target giveaway for 4 winners! The giveaway ends on September 30th. Enter for your chance to win. Ebates (which I hope to do a future review on) is sponsoring the giveaway. Just a side note, but I learned about Ebates through TFF and I have received $175.36 in cash back since 2010 by shopping online through Ebates. You get a cash back percentage for shopping online with the stores you love.

connect with The Frugal Find ::
Like them on Facebook
Follow them on Twitter

One last thing, it’s Thankful Hearts Thursday. My husband works for our church and Christian school and I’m a part time administrative assistant for the church as well. All that to say, money doesn’t grow on trees, but God provides for all the needs and often wants our family has. Read THIS POST and I’ll tell you a secret…we were the recipients of the iPad2 thanks to a dear friend. My heart is so full and thankful for all that God does in our lives. Specifically today, I am thankful for The Frugal Find, generous friends, and a budget that I can manage each month. On paper it seems at times that we should eat ramen and live in a studio apartment. However, we are blessed and happy in a cute little home we can afford with plenty of food in our cabinets. My heart is very thankful.