I hope you’re enjoying the 31 Days of Simplicity series! Last week we talked about time-saving routines and sanity-saving shortcuts to simplify your life. Anyone tried making freezer meals or meal planning for the first time?
This week we’re focusing on easy ways to simplify your shopping.
I used to be a coupon junkie. For all of about 3 months, I clipped every coupon I thought I’d use, scoured every ad for the best price, and did the happy dance when I scored something for free. But I burned out quickly. I also realized I was wasting precious time and energy running to a store for just one item.
It didn’t take me long to mend my ways. I still track prices and buy most things when they’re on sale. I still clip coupons – judiciously. I still do the happy dance when I get something free (I rarely pay for deodorant or toothpaste). But I’ve learned to pick my savings battles.
For instance: instead of clipping diaper coupons and searching the ads every week to figure out the absolute best per-diaper price ever, I just buy them at Costco. I stock up when they’re on coupon ($6 off as I write this post!) to save the most money. They may not be the Absolute Best Price on the Planet, but they’re always a really good price – a Good Enough Price. A price I’ll happily pay for the added convenience of getting them while I’m at Costco for other things. No more running to some obscure store I’d never visit otherwise. And no more wasting time and energy constantly playing the comparison game.
Remember: Simplicity isn’t frugality. I’ll say this over and over: Simplicity is finding routines and practices that save time, effort and energy – especially on the mundane things – so you have time and energy for the more important things.
By picking my savings battles, I save time and brain cells. And who can’t use a few more of those? 😉
What savings battles have you decided are not worth fighting? What have you settled for a good-enough price instead of the absolute best price in the name of convenience?
