By ERIN TURNER
I am excited to join the Make it Missoula community! I’m looking forward to sharing with you ways of saving money and managing your budget. Whether you are trying to make it from paycheck to paycheck or wanting to be a full-time stay- at- home mom or just want to simplify your financial life, I think you will find some useful information in my blog! Believe me, I haven’t always been thrifty or seen the value of it. Oh, sure I have always enjoyed a good sale or two, but I’m talking deep, down thrifty.
My mom was awesome at couponing when I was young. As a mom in the 1970s and 80s, she toted around a little purse filled to the brim with coupons. Despite getting a few treats because of certain coupons, I mostly rolled my eyes when mom would pull out her bright red coupon purse. It took about 25 years for the reality of what she was doing to sink in to my thick skull!
My mom had the luxury of staying home to raise us kids and, since she viewed it as a privilege, she wanted to contribute to the household budget as much as she could. This meant couponing, growing a garden, home-cooking, and a lot of homemade things. Twenty-five years later, I’m married and raising 3 kids and now completely understand and respect what my mom did for our family.
I have worked part time since my oldest son was born in 1999. Last year, my husband and I decided it was time for me to be home full-time so that I could manage all the school and extra-curricular activities of our three boys, and focus more on our small family farm. But the topic of the budget came up and it was then I thought fondly of my mom’s little red coupon purse and all the pieces fell together. Wanting to be successful in my new venture of couponing, I researched the internet for all the information I needed to get started and in March 2010, I became a coupon queen!
Now there are couponers and there are extreme couponers – and that’s what I’ve become. I don’t just use a coupon here or there in order to save a few dollars. I’m talking about using lots of coupons and matching them up with some awesome sales and saving LOTS of dollars. When I go through a checkout lane, the clerk is usually in awe and even the people behind me in line are so impressed they have to comment and ask how I saved so much.
We are financially comfortable, but I would like to have more control over our budget and feel like I am contributing to our family’s financial health. Who wouldn’t want extra cash to buy a new pair of shoes instead of having to use it for toilet paper, toothpaste, and dish soap? With coupons, I am dictating the price which I am willing to pay for an item which ultimately allows me to control my entire household budget.
It’s not rocket science, but it does take some time, learning, and devotion to see the extreme results. It really has become a lifestyle for my family. And, unlike me when I was their age, my kids they get it, understand it, and respect it. The last question everyone asks as we head out the door to a store or restaurant is, “Do you have your coupons, Mom?”
Yes, yes I do!
Click here to see the Coupon Queen’s “Save It” archive.
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Erin Eisenman-Turner is proud to be a native Missoulian. Along with her husband and three sons, they raise chickens, pigs, rabbits, and vegetables at Turner Family Farms in the Orchard Homes area. When the farm chores are done, the coupons clipped and the blog written, you can find Erin exploring Montana, collecting antiques and trying to maintain a well-run, happy and organized home for her family.
Wow–I want to learn Erin. Having read this, I almost feel guilty for paying full price! Looking forward to all your good ideas about saving money and making it look as though it’s COOL! Thanks for your blog!!!
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Great blog, Erin! I know you will have many followers. I have to admit that I have slacked off some now that I have an empty nest, but you have gotten me excited about clipping again!
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You ROCK lady! I am honored to call you “friend”…now I am going to sit back study your blog and get the scoop! Brava sister!
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Since I live in a smaller town than Missoula in a completely different state I am going to try to take your tips to my situtaiton. I hope it works. since I moved from Missoula almost 9yrs ago & became a stay-at-home mom I too feel the need to contribute. My husband does the cooking but he only uses the ingredients i find deals for….makes dinner menus interesting to say the least. We don’t farm but we hunt & buy 1/2 cow from a friend so we rarely buy meat at the store. I am inspired by Erin’s excitement to save money & I am never embarassed to bring out my lime green coupon purse! Thanks for agreeing to share your knowledge.
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SO excited to have these tips coming my way. I am a huge advocate of saving money with three kids of my own…..I use coupons but haven’t learn to be an “extreme” couponer. Can’t wait to learn from what I clearly see as an “expert” in this area!
Welcome aboard:)
Jen Slayden
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When my kids were at home I too was a couponer. Now the coupons that I find and use are not that helpful to my budget. I look forward to learning more. Lou Ann
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What a wonderful blog, Erin! I’ve always been a closet clipper. I’ve always found it interesting how so many people think it’s such a waste of time to clip coupons or shop sales at more than one store. Granted, you have be to smart about it. However, I’ve calculated time and time again how the savings earned from clipped coupons and shopping smart grocery sales, has netted a savings of anywhere from $15 – $25 per hour if you include the time invested in planning and extra shopping needed to net those savings. Funny . . . I’ll bet if you asked many of those same folks if they’d like a very part-time job that paid $15 – $30 an hour, you’d have a line forming around the block! It’s all in how you think about it. Looking forward to your blogs!
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Not only am I excited to save money by following this blog, but I also have severe “pantry envy” from your photo! My cupboards just won’t hold anything else. Thanks for sharing!
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Hey all, just wanted to give you a heads up that I’m hearing rumors of a whole week of double (Twice the Value) coupons at Albertson’s beginning tomorrow (I will confirm once I see the ad)! They double any manufacturer coupon up to $1.00 in value! I saw in a preview ad they have Colgate toothpaste for $1.50 tomorrow ONLY and in Smart Source insert on Sunday they have a 75 cent off coupon for Colgate when doubled at Albies, it makes the toothpaste FREE! Hint: That would be a stock up price!!!
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Okay…this almost merits another entire blog post! Heavens to Betsy!!!! I’m thinking you should post this on the Make it Missoula Facebook page!!!!!
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Let me do my run tomorrow to confirm everything and then I’ll post! Sometimes the sales I get previews to don’t show up here in Missoula!
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The doublers are here! And they will be here until Tuesday night! Any manufacturer coupon you have that is valued up to $1.00 will be doubled with an Albertson’s twice the value coupon (found in their flyer from yesterday –also available as you walk in the store). I scored FREE Hefty storage bags, FREE Chex Mix, FREE hot dogs, hummus for .99, Kraft 2% singles for .50!! Also, if you’re having a Super Bowl party this weekend, you might want to check out the deal they’re having on Orville Redenbacher popcorn and A&W or 7-UP…look for the tearpad coupons! FREE popcorn AND free soda! Now, THAT is a winning touchdown in my playbook!!
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Oh Erin, I can hardly wait! Let the lessons begin! I will be reading and learning.
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Hi Erin!
What a great idea! I can feel the enthusiasm when you write. I’m in New Jersey and am sending this on to my daughter in MD – I know that we have different supermarkets out here, but she’ll be glad to get ideas from your blog—with 2 little girls she is always looking for good deals on diapers , among other things….
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Well, dear daughter, I don’t have the “bright red coupon purse” anymore, but I do still use lots of coupons. Most importantly, I have a daughter who makes us so very proud–not only for the coupons she saves, but for who she has become & her values & dedication to family & friends, and now to her “blogger” friends. Stay tuned. I can promise you lots of good deals, good advice, & good times on Erin’s Make It Missoula blog. Thanks Erin…love you!
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