Grocery Shopping + Coupons = $avings!

With the challenging economic times many have become savvy on ways to save or spend money. Couponing has been a popular approach to saving money. Through strategically applying several techniques with local sales, couponing is a great method to maximize ones groceries while you minimize the cost. Who doesn’t want more money in their pockets?

At Increasing H.O.P.E., we know a thing or two about applying these techniques. We can attest that your whole shopping mindset changes once you start couponing! It’s not strange to hear a #TeamIncrea$e member say, “We got a coupon for that?” before we go shopping for office supplies. Getting the best deal for what you’ve purchased gives you a great sense of accomplishment in knowing you're saving money.

 A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I went to buy some last minute food items and it was a madhouse at the grocery store! There she was a fellow couponer in action.  We were like two kids in a candy store while waiting to find out how much she saved. She saved $205.06 on her groceries and she’s been couponing for about a year and a half…A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Cagdas Yust Sorrow who's a seasoned couponer and stay-at-home mom. So get your pen and paper ready to take notes as Cagdas shares some tips on how to get more bang for our buck at the grocery store!

~What led you to couponing?
My husband is an aircraft mechanic. When he lost his job about 3 years ago we panicked and I was thinking, how can I help our income? One night we were browsing through the channels on TV and I saw an extreme couponing show. The lady on the show was saying, "my husband lost his job and I had to do something."   I thought, "That’s it! I can do that too!"

~ Do you coupon for groceries only? If no, what other areas do you coupon for?

I mainly concentrate on groceries and baby supplies, but I don’t purchase anything without searching and getting the absolute cheapest price I can find.

~ Did you coupon for Black Friday? If yes, please share your experience?

I did grocery shop Thanksgiving week with my coupons (when I met you), but I didn’t use a single coupon for Black Friday. I just searched which stores had the best deal for the items we wanted.

~ How do you feel when you're claiming your coupons at the register? Clipping coupons? Coming home with all those savings?

This is my favorite question:) I should say it is frustrating to collect and clip coupons for your needs. I don’t purchase any junk food even if there are good coupons. But when I cut and organize my coupons, I get so excited and happy because I know I am going to save a lot! After the shopping is done, spending time at the register for my coupons is very stressful for me. However, it is satisfying and worth it in the end when I have good results:)! It is hard to explain my feelings after a big success!

~ Where do you get your coupons?

My first teacher I would say was SouthernSavers.com, I check her site on a daily basis. I also check coupons.com, redplum.com, couponnetwork.com and I generally purchase a minimum of 2 Sunday papers each week depending on the coupons. I also participate in rewards programs from different companies such as Stoneyfield, Pampers, Huggies, etc.

~ How much time to you spend on couponing a week?

It depends, but on average between searching, printing and clipping about 10 hours per week.

~ How do you strategize to get the most bang for your buck?

This part is very exciting too because I know if I work hard and carefully, at the end I will save a lot! I first look at Publix's ad. I don’t think you can beat Publix deals! Then I make a list of what we actually use and need from the list of BOGO (buy one get one) deals. Then I look at SouthernSavers.com and other sources for coupons on the items that Publix has on sale. I also check the manufacturers’ websites as well!

~ What's your average monthly savings by couponing?

Just with coupons I probably average $650-$750. I could actually do much better than this but first I am a mother and wife so I have other important responsibilities too, and we try to eat healthy and stay away from the junk food as much as we can.

~ What's the most you have saved because of couponing?

I usually save on a single purchase between $100-$350 but the best I did was $360 on a single purchase and not only did I not pay anything, but I made a $35 profit!

~ What would be your top 3 TIPS for a rookie couponer?

First, be patient when starting out! Second, Make sure to check your receipts each time you purchase anything! And third and most importantly know the store's coupon policies!

~ Is there anything you would like to add that you haven't been asked?

When I first started, I saved so very little. I remember one time I had only 1 coupon for a $1. But, I got better each time. So don’t give up! And do not spend even if it is considerably cheaper with your coupons if it is something you don't need or won't use at all! Because that's not smart saving!  I should also mention that I have a wonderful husband who provides everything for our family and works really hard. I feel very satisfied and happy when I take some weight off of his shoulders! 

Cagdas Yust Sorrow is a stay-at-home Mom of a beautiful 2-year old princess

& 

Wife to an amazing husband.

“Fact vs. Truth”

My story begins with nothing more than a desire to serve others and to impart into them the knowledge of personal money management. My husband was there for me especially financially, we jokingly called him the Bank of Bernique in the office.

The fact was: I had no money or did not even know where to start, so I just began to do what I love.
The truth was: I knew if I was obedient Increasing H.O.P.E would be provided for and it has been.


However, in March of this year our lives began to change. My husband was injured in a freak accident which has had him out of work for much of this year. And we have since learned that he will not be returning to work. He so lovingly has allowed me to increase the hope of others for all these years (2003-2012) without receiving a salary from this organization. I know he’s the best thing that ever happened to me!
The fact is: my life will never be the same, but truthfully I believe our best days are yet to come as a couple (married almost 33 years).
The truth is: Increasing H.O.P.E would not be where it is today without his support and I thank him for that.

The fact is: Increasing H.O.P.E has lost other sources of funding this year, but…
The truth is: There is always H.O.P.E!
I have the love and support of those around me (Team Increa$e, has been awesome), however I need your support now more than ever. While I know God’s “got this”, I also know that God uses people, so I’m asking for your help. When out in the community I am amazed at how many people have been impacted by H.O.P.E and I do not want to stop touching lives, so will you support Increasing H.O.P.E.? Will you consider purchasing a ticket or making a $40 donation at the link below?

The fact is: times are tough for us all, but
The truth is: I serve a BIG God! God bless you and thank you for your support!

Oh yeah, see you at the Moolah Mixer on November 17th at 6:30 pm at the Blackbaud Atrium. I’ll be the one in white knee high boots and the afro!

Sincerely,

Dorothea Bernique, AFC
Executive Director

The Road to Recovery: 5 Steps towards Fixing Your Financial Problems

Owning up to your financial struggles is a lot like dealing with the plastic Tupperware full of last week’s lunch that has been sitting on your kitchen counter for days. You might do your best to pretend you don’t see the problem. You might tell yourself you’ll get around to it. But eventually, it’s going to start to stink and someone has to clean it up.

At first, it can be easy to ignore problems with your personal finances. Money troubles are so personal that those closest to you might have no idea that you’re going through a difficult time. You can avoid calls from creditors or lenders, get used to having your debit card declined, or lose your house or car. In the end, you have no choice but to face the problem and seek a solution.

There is hope. No matter how much trouble you might be in with your personal finances, there is a way out. After you’ve come to terms with a problem, whether it’s credit card debt, bankruptcy or foreclosure, and after you’ve decided that it’s time to clean the mess up, here are five steps you can take to get started on your road to recovery.

1. Say, “I Did This.” Taking ownership of your mistakes is the hardest first step anyone can make.  The first step to recovery has to be accepting full responsibility for your actions. This is one of those “it doesn’t go down easy” pills to swallow, but it’s vital to recovering from any problem that has gotten out of control. When it comes to messes that you have had a hand in creating, no matter how large or how small, taking ownership of your problems will better connect you with your results and the solutions.

2. Seek Help – You know you have a problem, but thankfully there are people who can help you fix it. When it comes to money struggles, seek a local organization or professional who can offer solutions and advice. Sign up for a class or consultation at the Financial Training Center. Turn to someone who is outside of your friends and family and can give you straightforward answers and get you started on the right path.

3. Arm Yourself with Knowledge – It’s important to find out exactly how much trouble you’re in – be honest with yourself, especially when it comes to credit card debt. Pull your credit score, and find out exactly what it means. Buy a book on financial management. Start a budget to weigh your income and expenses, and design a plan to get yourself out of trouble.

4. Set SMART Goals – Having a concrete idea of where you want to be financially can be a good motivator, but goals don’t mean anything unless you give yourself milestones and steps to getting there. Make sure that your goals are SMART (there’s a reason this acronym gets used so much in the business and nonprofit worlds!) –Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable/Rewarding and Time Bound. Most importantly, write these goals down somewhere and hold yourself to them.

5. Don’t do it Alone – Old habits die hard, so find someone to hold you accountable for the changes you say you want to make. When you run up against a wall or find yourself slipping, have someone you can turn to for help, advice, encouragement or a healthy dose of “Get Your Act Together” honesty. Connect with people who are just like you - paying off debt, creating a new credit history, and changing their financial future!

Now that you have taken ownership of your financial problems - Let's get to work.

Are you ready for Financial Freedom?

   

Do you feel weigned down by personal debt

 It may be time to seek professional help

If you exhibit any of the 8 warning signs below - it may be time to call in a financial fitness expert? 

1. Do you consistently charge more each month than you make in payments?
2. Are you using cash advances to pay monthly expenses?
3. Do you pay the minimum , or less than the minimum payment due each month?
4. Are you working overtime to keep up with your credit card payments?
5. You don't know how much you owe and really don't want to find out.
6. Do you receive phone calls or letters about delinquent bill payments?
7. Are you using your credit card to buy necessities like food or gasoline?
8. Are you are hiding the true cost of your purchases from your spouse?

If you see yourself in some of these warning signs, it may be time to take a serious look and find out why? If you're ready to Fight Back? Let's us prepare you for the Battle! Come join us as we equip you to take control of your Finances!

Register for the September 8th -- Financial Freedom Bootcamp class from 10am-4pm @Virginia College in North Charleston.   Call us today at 843-225-4343.

Are you ready to become independent and build a life for you and your family?

Do you want to use your entrepreneurial skills to do it?

Let H.E.R. Institute help you!

Whether you are a licensed cosmetologist, massage therapist, home health care provider, wedding planner, photographer or work-from-home artist, small business education is the key to your independence! Learning business basics will help you to create a solid, profitable business you and your family can not only be proud of, but rely on for years to come.

H.E.R. Institute is committed to providing you with the money management principles and small business education that will position you for success! This comprehensive small business training program covers all of the following:

ü  Personal Development & The Entrepreneurial Mindset

ü  Business Development & Licensing

ü  Sales & Marketing

ü  Personal & Business Financial Management

ü  Customer Service

ü  Personnel & Human Resource Development

ü  And more!

 For more information please visit H.E.R. Institute !

Reminder

Here is a quick reminder for our Financial Freedom Club happening this Thurday. Check out information below:

Mark Your Calendar

Financial Freedom Club 

When: Thursday, May 24, 2012

Where: Smokey Bones, 7250 Rivers Avenue 

North Charleston, SC

Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Annual fee: $75.00

If your ready to be financially free, join FCC and let's do it together!

*Call our office at (843)225-4343 to register or for more information!*

May 2012 Classes

Check out our scheduled classes for the upcoming month(s): 

May 2012 

May 17th-Money Mindset

May 21st-Manage Your Money

May 31st- To Your Credit

Financial Freedom Club

Are you ready to be financially free?

Do you need guidance on your financial journey?

Do you want support from others?

Well, look no further the Financial Freedom Club is here to rescue you!

Changing is hard. Learning to do things differently can be challenging...but not when you have support!

Join the Financial Freedom Club and you'll have a whole group of supporters!

Connect with people who are just like you - paying off debt, creating new credit history, changing their financial future.

If you are ready to be financially free, join FFC and let's do it together!