Today I wanted to share a different type of post. I wanted to share a declaration of pride, strength, and exhilaration!
For as you read this post, my husband and I are on our way to donate a $4,123.43 Stockpile Donation to three local non-profit groups in my area; a homeless pantry, women’s shelter, and soup kitchen. This past month, I have been planning this this President’s Day donation, where we will be able to give back to community in a large way! I am in no manner bragging, but wanted to share that while the value of this donation is so great, it’s out-of-pocket cost to my family was quite minimal, totaling only $146.71, due only to applicable state sales tax.
How was I able to accomplish this? I diligently coupon shop for my family, make note of cyclical seasonal, national, and regional sales promotions, and actively budget in the cost of donating goods, by way of stockpile deals and savings, into our families savings envelope system. Each week I set aside four to six hours to clip and sort coupons, to devise savings scenarios, and then to shop these deals in my area; deals which I have incorporated into this very blog.
We are not wealthy, but live comfortably. My husband, a public school educator, and myself, a work-from-home clerical aid, work hard to provide a seasoned life for ourselves, rich in love, compassion, empathy, and a shared core belief in charity to others. Three years ago we began a journey of working our way out of collected debt, paying off accessed medical bills, and earnestly saving towards retirement, and today is the conformed affirmation that our scrimping, saving, and struggling was more than worth of our combined efforts. Please note, that when I blog about my passion for savings, day in and day out, I am completely and truly devoted to the idea that families, like my own, can pull themselves out of debt, and be able to not just spend less on your monthly expenses, but live more fulfilled, wholesome, enriched lives in the process.
This past holiday season my husband and I pledged to give a third of our couponed stockpile to local charities in our city this year, and today is the first actualization of this pledge.
Why today? Well, for two reasons. First, it’s a Federal Holiday, and so as a family we are on a respite from work. But secondly, and most importantly, we are using this President’s Day as a living embodiment of the words spoken during the inauguration of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, who urged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
So today I declare that a feat as small as saving money at your local market with coupons, through slow, diligent work and determination, can manifest itself into great change, one tube of toothpaste at a time! Yesterday my family were savers, couponers, and community members. Today we are community advocates.
I encourage all of my readers to consider finding their own way to give back to their respective communities. As Mother Teresa once said, “If you cannot feed one hundred people, feed just one.”
Thank you all for your continued support of my blog.
Here’s to saving,
22 Comments
[…] to my stockpile! My stockpile saves my family thousands of dollars a year, allows me to give generously to my local food pantry and women’s shelter. I must admit is one of the most neglected area in my home. So, in order for me to be able to […]
Congratulations on your big donation. It is fabulous that you have been able to benefit from the rewards of couponing enough to give back to the community in such a huge manner. I know that each of the charities who benefitted and ultimately the families in receipt of your generosity were grateful.
I have been into extreme couponing for many years and know all the hard work it takes to create that kind of a stockpile. It is so worth it!
Thank you, Shirley! I too have been into couponing for many years. In fact, I grew up in a home where both my grandmother and mother were couponers, and myself in college started extreme couponing in college a decade ago to save enough to pay for my books, etc. Thanks for stopping by, and congratulations on your families new addition, too! Have an awesome week, dearest! XOXO
Wow… this is just awesome! Good for you! This is such a great idea and one I would like to start also. I really appreciate you sharing this with us at Talented Tuesdays and hope you can join us again tomorrow!
Thank you so much!
This is incredible! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for taking the time to party with us. We hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. It wouldn’t be a party without you! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you so much! See you tonight!
[…] found my husband and I both off of work, which is a rarity for us both! We used the day to donate $4,123,43 worth of couponed stockpile goods to donate to a local women’s shelter, soup kitchen, and homeless pantry! We also spent the […]
SO inspiring! I need to make time to do this! Thanks for sharing on Sunday FUNday!
Thank you!
[…] why! If you have extra don’t pass up those great deals, instead pass them on like Misty from The Lady Prefers 2 Save. Thanks for a great and inspiring […]
So awesome that you are able to do this!
Thank you so much!
Amazing! This is a wonderful good deed and an inspiration for others. Thank you so much for linking it up at the This Is How We Roll Thursday party.
Thank you so much! Have a great weekend!
Wow! What a wonderful donation and I’m sure it was gratefully received. You’re inspiring me to coupon for donating. Keep it up!
Thank you so much! I hope you consider doing so! Thanks!
i just love this! What a beautiful way to give back!
Thank you so much! Have an awesome week!
[…] I earned a $200.00 tax receipt from donating goods to local charities. […]
So proud of you. I only hope that I can give back so much someday.
Thank you so much! I truly believe in givening back others. Coupons have been such a blessing to my family, and I want to help others, too! Have an awesome day!