Before our kids came along, when we were swimming in debt, I took a lot of pride in being frugal. I worked in a town where stores doubled and tripled coupons, and I had my own little system to score extra ones. Every week, it became a fun challenge—how much could I save this time? I’d walk out of the store with bags full of items I got for next to nothing, and it gave me such a rush. Saving money felt like a game, and I was winning!
Then the kids arrived, and suddenly, couponing wasn’t on my list of priorities. I still needed to save money, but free time? Gone. That’s when I realized I needed a new strategy, so I focused on saving in just one area—diapers. With twins, it seemed like the smartest place to start.
I still remember the day I hit the jackpot at Walgreens: $2 per pack of diapers! I was so excited that I visited multiple stores and stocked up enough to last over two years. 🙈 I laugh about it now, but honestly, I’m still a little proud of that move. It saved us a ton of money when we needed it most.
These days, I don’t have the time (or energy!) for couponing, but I still focus on controlling one area of our budget at a time. Right now, since we started homeschooling and the kids are home most of the time, it’s our food budget that’s getting all my attention. I’m intentional about how we spend money on food (see what I’m doing here), and it’s actually making a big difference. Plus, it’s kind of fun!
What I’ve learned over the years is that trying to fix everything at once just doesn’t work. It’s overwhelming. But when I focus on just one thing, it feels doable—and motivating.
If you were going to focus on one area of your spending, what would it be? Where would you want that extra money to go? I’d love to hear your thoughts—hit reply and let’s chat!
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If you’re ready to take a more intentional approach to your finances and focus on the areas that matter most, my coaching program would be a great fit. I help clients create clear, actionable plans that work for their real lives, and I’d love to support you in doing the same. You can learn more or schedule a no-cost, no-obligation call here.
