A City Life For Me

I have tried several times to continue my coupon clipping addiction after moving to New York City.  I was trying to fit my suburban training & experience into my new urban lifestyle.  What I discovered is that most of the time, my time and convenience are more important than saving a few cents with a coupon.  We do not have the stores that double coupons here and run amazing sales flyers like I had in Virginia Beach.  I do shop the sale flyer and stock up on items I use regularly, but I do not spend a lot of time clipping coupons. This has meant that I have had to find other creative ways to pinch my pennies.  There are a few items which I use that are cheapest in bulk.  We had a Costco membership, but opted not to spend the money to renew.  I have a friend who picks up those few items for me when she is going anyway.  {This may change when I have three kids in diapers…I may have to renew}.  Here are a couple of little things I do to...

Admission: this former coupon addict hasn’t used coupons or played the “drugstore game” since moving to New York City.  I tried a few times when we first moved here, but I was quickly discouraged.  I had a hard time finding my coupons, and the newspaper here is expensive.  The grocery store that accepts coupons isn’t overly convenient, and it doesn’t double any coupons. I tried to score the free deals at CVS, RIte Aid, and Walgreens, but they were always out of the free items.  I guess it’s because there are so many people living here!  And, dragging two kids to the store when I can’t walk there and don’t always have a car isn’t easy.  So I gave up. Entere Money Saving Mom’s new book, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget.   I got the book, and the audiobook.  With Ben’s recent unemployment and the tight budget, I knew it was time to get back on the frugal track.  I was still mostly there, but slightly derailed. I found a local free paper tha...