Coupon break

I took a coupon break this week - and it's okay!

I'm sure I missed all sorts of great deals - and it's okay!

I may have to pay more when I need those items I could have gotten this week - and it's okay!

We all need to take a break now and then.  With the kids home on break and a time-consuming holiday to attend to, something had to give.  This time, it was shopping at several stores and finding the best deals.  Typically, I do my coupon planning Monday morning, shop Tuesday morning, then blog about the great deals I got in my Wednesday Weekly Shopping post.  But not this week!  Well, okay, I did post a Wednesday Weekly Shopping post, but that was it. 

This week, I'll do a little planning and couponing.  Maybe.  But next week, I'll be back to my usual self, I hope.

Don't feel guilty if you need to take a break now and then.  But keep the following in mind:

• Try to eat from the pantry during that time to keep your grocery costs lower.
• Check the expiration dates on any Extra Care Bucks or Register Rewards you might have earned in previous weeks.  If they'll expire before you expect to get back to couponing, use them on something you need, regardless of whether it's an amazing deal or not.  My go-to item for using up ECBs or RRs is toilet paper.
• Keep collecting coupon inserts and any other coupons that come your way.  Find a place to keep them, but don't worry about clipping the coupons or filing the inserts.  When you get back to couponing, you'll be happy that you have them.
• If you have a little time, check the ads - quickly - for any buy one, get one free items.  Yes, you could get a better deal on them by combining the BOGO items with coupons.  But the BOGO items are still a pretty good deal all by themselves.

Check these sites for more great tips:

• Frugal Friday @ Life as MOM 
• Frugal Friday @ Stockpiling Mom 
• Tuesday's Tip Jar @ BlogMommas 
• Making Dollars out of Change @ Madame Deals 
• Tuesday's Tips @ Couponomic Stimulus Package 
• Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home 
• Works For Me Wednesday @ We Are That Family
• Thrifty Tip Tuesday @ I Am a Money Magnet 
• Tightwad Tuesday @ Raising 4 Godly Men
• Thrifty Thursday @ Melissa's Bargain Blog
• Thrifty Thursday @ Coupon Teacher