So I maybe cheap but that's okay

I don't like to spend my money. I hate shopping. I know, I know I am a girl I am suppose to love to shop. I hate it. The only time I enjoy shopping is when I am saving money or getting items for free. Yes I said free and I do it all the time. I watch the sale ads, I use coupons, rebate apps, and watch for coupon codes. It is amazing the things companies will give away for free.

Photographers for instance might like to know that Shutterfly, Snapfish and other printers offer free stuff nearly every week. But not only is that good for Photographers to know but the general public too, cause nothing makes a better gift than a personalized one with a loved ones photo on it.

Most grocery stores offer loyalty programs and have digital coupons (most have done away with double and triple coupons thanks the the show extreme couponers) But there are ways you can still double and triple or even more your savings. The first thing I do every week when the ads come out is look to see what is on sale every where. Our stores here some go on sale Thursday some Sunday. So I normally try to do the shopping after the Sunday ads come out, but I keep on the look out for 2 day only deals that are common. I look and see what is on sale, I look to see if the store as a digital coupon, if there isn't I search online for one to print, then I look through all the rebate apps I use.

I use the following Apps I will include a link to each one. Disclosure the first app which is Ibotta is my favorite app the link is my referral link. Once you redeem your first rebate if you decide to download it you will get a $10 bonus if you use this link and I will get a $5 bonus. This is the only app I use that offers a referral bonus https://ibotta.com/r/kvxxbtf

The next app I use is Checkout51 https://checkout51.com/account/offers

Savingstar is the other app I use. I like this one because it is a low $5 pay out the others are a min of $20 https://savingstar.com//

There are other rebate apps out there other than these, but these three I have tried and tested and have gotten back over $300 in the last year back. I also use a receipt app called Receipt hog. I take pictures of all my receipts and they give me coins that I can trade for cash. I have been using it for year in August and been looking as it as a penny type savings account. in a few weeks I will be able to cash out a $40 reward. They also give away other prizes on the app by submitting receipts though I haven't won one yet.

Did I mention store rewards?? Shop your way rewards are one of my favorites. I play their sweeps every day and win points that I can spend in their store. Every two weeks I win approx $15-$20 plus they give out surprise points. This is what I got my husband for father's day as you can see I paid in points so I got it for FREE. He really needed it, he has his house tools in a bucket. We have garage tool boxes just not one for the house tools. I also went and used surprise points at the local Sears and got him a $100 cordless drill and only paid $25 out of pocket.

So I hate shopping unless I am getting a really great deal or getting the item for free. Disclosure I been a stay at home mom working from home as I get orders for candles or diaper cakes, sometimes selling stuff on eBay too. So I got into the habit of spending an hour a day scouring for deals. Sometimes 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there.

I admit I am cheap but being cheap is allowing me to follow my dreams. I have no debt, my husband and I just bought a piece of land, we are going to get a mortgage but we are about to build a house, which we couldn't do if I wasn't cheap. I am able to follow my hobbies which my most recent one isn't cheap. So I say embrace being cheap, sign up for reward programs, clip coupons and watch the sales. Every dime you save this way, put back and pretend you didn't save it. Watch that money grow, and use it to get out of debt.

Till two weeks ago I was feeding 4 and before that 5. As two of my children have flown the nest now I have three mouths to feed I haven't been shopping yet since she has moved out haven't needed to yet. But I fed 5 on $200 a month, three meals a day as I home school. And though that is all I spent to feed them I bought way more food than $200 worth a month.