You've Been SNIPPED!

We are 5 days away from the NEW year and most of us do not feel very new in our bank accounts nor the value of what we have. Maybe we did not save as much as we said we would on January 1^st, 2013. Maybe we had random events that required more attention, time, and money. OH MY GOSH, NOT MORE MONEY!  For the sake of time, let’s stick to the fact that money comes and money goes. The turnaround time of money is hard to completely control, BUT we can totally control where and how we invest the money that we know will go at some point after it comes. Living alone and not having as many responsibilities left me open to extra cash as a successful stylist, owner, and woman that loves to shop! As I began to grow each year, and added in pets (my first children), a husband, and a child, I realized that this girl had to control those dollars moving out of my fingers.

My first set of children are true to form in their random booboo’s and play time that sometimes takes a left turn. My husband and I are very smart, but we like what we like and we try to tackle having all of those things…..on some type of a budget. My sweet baby girl is growing into a woman and let’s just face that she is her mother’s child! WE LOVE TO SHOP!  We also love to give and inspire. So what do you do when you love to shop/give, yet you must not ignore your bills and future expectations? You put on your big girl shoes and… you COUPON!!! You may laugh now, but a dollar saved is another dollar you can play with, save, or smile at later. It is a huge part of your wellness package for life! Work, money and the economy are the biggest cause of Americans' stress, according to research released by the American Psychological Association (APA). Here’s a neat little fact about the green eyed monster: Our "fight-or-flight" system evolved as a way to physically deal with a physical danger. The problem is now that same response gets activated by everyday encounters. One of the bigger things that activate it is when people see trouble in their finances. "If people don't know how to deal with this higher adrenaline level, then the levels of stress can build and build. This can cause real physical and physiologic changes in the body that can account for people feeling poorly" (webmd, 2013).

Stress reliever: COUPONING!

Pros:                                                                                        Cons:

-It’s smart                                                                                -Attention to detail

-Save money                                                                           -THAT’S ABOUT IT!!!

-Money management skills heighten

-Lots of retailers participate

-Printable coupons

-Mobile coupons

-Deals and steals (without jail time!)

Here is where you begin!!!

Couponing Starter Kit:

-3 ring binder

-Photo sleeves with various photo sizes to hold the coupons

-Separation tabs

-Sharpie (label tabs and make reminders)

-Aloha Monkey Wellness Couponing Journal (email me for details)

-Plastic baggies on hand in case you find coupons and can not get into your book right then (never leave a coupon!)

-2-3 hours a few days a week (times may vary according to your schedule and knack for couponing)

-Gas or transportation (there’s coupons for that too!!!)

-A couponing buddy (optional)

-Extra pockets (for all the cash you will save!)

With this starter kit, you will be on your way to a healthier new you and a bigger bank account. This is only the beginning dears! You have to get into the lingo of couponing and all the neat ways to see if your skills really have grown from start through all of your checkpoints. When I started I was not interested in percentages and how much I saved, I just wanted a few dollars off. Now, I have this thing down to a science and you can too!!! For more, email me at Alohamonkeywellness@gmail.com with the subject “I want more money in my pocket!”

Aloha!

Jill

  

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