Couponing slump. I think we can all say we have had one at one point in time. It may have just been a week or two you took off or longer. For me, close to 9 months! It really is killing me inside to think of what I could be saving. Can you believe I paid full price for Halloween candy!?! Pregnancy really did me in and finding the time to coupon on top of the million other things I have going on something had to give.

A couponing break can be a good thing. It can help you reflect and prioritize. When you are so focused on saving you sometimes lose touch with other things. So a break can be healthy. I wonder though were the break becomes a good thing and turns on you!

My experience: I hardly carry any coupons right now with me. I haven’t clipped a coupon in over a month. I pay full price for items I know likely have a coupon and don’t think much about it. Even clearance, I have been grabbing non-discriminately. Clearance is a great deal, but not always the best deal!

I still stay within my budget, but I am not getting as much for that money. My pantry and fridge run empty nearly every week. I went from going to the store once every 2 weeks to every week. I buy more things that I normally would consider special items, like cake and snacks.

Bottom line. Couponing changes the way you think. It makes you more conscious of what you spend every day. That isn’t a bad thing. If you can stay disciplined without coupons and really count all you are spending then you can still save. But couponing has helped me keep my budget and get a lot more for my money. Baby will be here in about 42 days. Give me another month after that to everything back on track and routine. Couponing here I came :)

This post may contain affiliate links