Circulars. You know, the brightly-colored grocery ads that arrive unsolicited in your mailbox every week. For years they could not get into my recycling bin fast enough and would spawn all sorts of existential thoughts about paper and waste and landfills. I even considered calling that 800-number that makes it so no unwanted mail ever comes your way. Then I started STOCKED.
Listen, I get it. The world of coupons can seem cheesy. Leave it to the midwestern housewives, right? Who has time to comb through pages and pages of this stuff anyway? My point: objections to this practice are not exactly in short supply.
Counterpoint: $31,000*. This is the amount I will make if I put my circulars to work. That’s a year of college tuition. (Two if you go the community college route.) That’s a downpayment on land. That’s as much as a family of four makes all year in upstate Pennsylvania.
Here’s how to do it well:
1) Make a cup of coffee or tea. I like to put on this song. Have an empty notepad and pen nearby. Circle all the sale produce and vegetable items that sound good to you—these are the building blocks for your weekly meals and snacks.
2) Circle meat that appeals to you. Don’t feel like you have to eat a round of beef if pork is your go-to.
3) Consult your Pantry Checklist (I’ll post later this week) and see where you might be low and circle this items. This week, Bob’s Red Mill is 20% off at one store. Right after I press send on this post, I plan on going and stocking up for me and my neighbor today.
4) Begin creating menu and snack ideas. For example, English cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives were on major sale this week at one location (yes, I go to multiple locations) so Greek Salad it is. Down it goes on the notepad. On sale chicken thighs, carrots, and scallion…so lo mein is clearly happening. Down it goes on the notepad…
5) Don’t stress about clipping coupons because nowadays they are almost all digital and physical copies are always available at the store.
6) Have an eagle eye. Oftentimes cash coupons appear. I’ve seen these coupons tucked into the corner of page three for anywhere from $5 to $25 off entire grocery orders. These you will have to clip and take with you.
We all have a bit of idle time on our hands these days so please mask up and make this simple act—that was once beneath you—part of your financial plan.
Here’s my math courtesy of my bestie, the compound interest calculator.
*