It's NOT a good deal...

...if you don't need it.

Lately, as I've worked back into couponing, I've started following several sites on Instagram and Facebook for quick deals. They are really useful, but I have found that I don't fit in well with a majority of the followers. And I see a bit of a pitfall in using these sites. See...it's all about spend, spend, spend.

And, really. If you're being truly frugal...it's not about spend, spend, spend. It's save, save, save.

Now, I concur with the thought that you sometimes have to spend some to save some. I've been enacting that in our shopping and seeing the benefits. Just a couple weeks ago, I saw some major savings on diapers and bought enough to last several weeks. I spent more on diapers at once than I usually do; however, in the long run, it saved me.

But I use diapers. So, it made sense.

As I've followed the sites, I've found myself going, "OH...I should get that! Oh, I need that! Oh, what a good deal!" And they are. But I don't need them. And if I spend money on those, I'm taking away from other needs. And that...good deal or not...is not frugal. So what if shampoo is on sale for $1.50? If I a)have plenty of shampoo b)don't use that brand and c)really need groceries that week...spending that money on shampoo is NOT a good deal. Now, if it is something I use and need...and I can wiggle our budget...sure. Otherwise...no.

This is also why I have curtailed my shopping. I don't just go window-shop at stores. I rarely browse store websites. I miss a LOT of good clothing deals...but we don't have a big clothing budget. I find that all that browsing does is stir up nasty Mr. Envy and tempt me to spend money on things we don't need.

It's also why I don't spend a million dollars on coupon inserts. I might buy ONE paper. (Usually, I just use my grandmother's inserts). Sure, I might not have a massive stockpile like some couponers, but the fact is, I don't have the time or energy to do what they do. I also don't have the space. Buying 20 bottles of shampoo is really impractical for me (though, I did, admittedly, buy 20 boxes of cereal once, when they were .50/each. But it's food. And, yeah. I won't have to buy cereal until next fall.) And, the math person in me has calculated that, if I spend x amount on inserts, I better save at LEAST that much that week to cut even. And it never works out. It just doesn't fit for me. However, cutting my free inserts from my grandmother and comparing them with a few lists online and matching them with deals does save me a nice little chunk at the store. That's my goal, and I'm happy with it. :)