This week we are going to hear from Jaimee who blogs over at The Spend Yourself Challenge. I loved reading her story and I think you all will enjoy it too! It is always wonderful to see how other happen into the world of couponing and how a simple lifestyle change often morphs into so much more.
I love challenges, don’t you? There’s something of an adventure about them. A stretch. A dare. I’m a sucker for a good dare. Especially those which invite impossibility. All my friends know it and take full advantage of it. My desire to conquer challenges has gotten me in trouble a few times (applying mascara while driving, for instance, is NEVER a worthy challenge) but many times has encouraged great growth and an open space for God to make possible the impossible.I think we are being offered that kind of challenge now.
Some Background
About a year ago, I almost nonchalantly applied to volunteer at The Haven Homeless Shelter for Families and Women. I’m not even really sure now why I did it. I think I was bored. I figured I could empty trash cans,sweep floors… do something good to help out a couple hours each week. So when I was told I’d be teaching a class on frugal living, I was pretty shocked to say the least! I began speaking to the class once a week, choosing topics like Bread-baking, Homemade Cleaning Supplies, Shopping on a Shoestring… It was going fairly well. I used lessons we had learned in our own struggles with finances, shared resources that had helped us avoid bankruptcy many years ago and tips that made our lives simpler and better. As much as I did not really care for speaking in front of a group of people, I LOVED connecting with them. We had so much in common. I considered them my friends.
You Want Me to What?!?
November 2009, my husband told me of his plans to go back to school for Nursing. In order to have a schedule which would support that, he would have to take a significant pay cut. And so began the number crunching. There was nothing really left to cut. No cable or car payments, no gym memberships or date nights… So we found ourselves looking at the grocery budget.
The USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan (considered the least amount of money a family should spend per week to maintain a nutritious diet) for our family of 6 is about $175. Now we were already spending only $100. I admit it was tough. I shopped solely at Aldi and cooked everything from scratch, made all our bread, ate bean based meals every day and made our own cleaning supplies. With careful planning, I was able to purchase everything I needed for the week in the exact quantity we would use. Friday there was nothing left. Not toilet paper, not flour, not peanut butter, not a single apple. Nothing. So the thought of cutting my grocery budget even further mortified me. We already just barely had what we needed. We began to talk about me getting a job. And along with that came conversations about childcare, wardrobe, and ultimately the cost of not being at home.
An Unlikely Answer
That’s when I heard about couponing. I have a confession to make. Packs of women make me nervous. Perhaps it is a subconscious return to junior high cliques and my non-involvement in them (not by choice, but because I was the shy, brainy, clarinet-playing side-ponytail girl). I’m not sure exactly, but whatever the reasoning maybe, I have an inherent aversion to activities that large groups of women get excited about: Tupperware, Mary Kay, scrapbooking, PTO, Beth Moore Bible studies… to name a few! Couponing had that “women traveling in packs” feel to it. But I was desperate. So when I heard some crazy reports of how well people were doing, I reluctantly agreed to give it a 1 month trial. The first week I bought a newspaper, I saved 50% off my total shelf cost. I spent slightly more than my usual budget the first 2-3 weeks, but after that my totals started dropping. For the first time in 8 years I could go to my cupboards, open the freezer, take note of what things I had on hand, and plan a meal from what I had. Whata freeing thing! I am not ashamed to admit there have been many times I have opened the freezer and cried for joy at the quantity of food located therein. Soon I was developing my own system… getting into a groove. It came easier to me over time, and with some added intensity and strategic planning, I am now saving at a nearly constant rate of 85%. My weekly budget is $75. That’s all household spending. Food and non-food. I could spend less. But I have been issued a challenge.
With a Little Help From Your Friends
Well I just had to share what was taking place in my financial situation with my friends at The Haven. The knowledge I had acquired was changing my life, and you can’t keep that kind of knowledge a secret. The power to provide for one’s family is ofttimes taken for granted, but not by those who have been without a home, without resources, without necessities, without friends. I knew that if anybody needed to hear a bit about the impossible made possible it was them. So we’ve changed up the class a little! Now, instead of talking about making our own laundry detergent, we talk about buying it for pennies. Instead of shopping from an intricate meal plan, we talk about planning from the deals we’ve acquired that now fill our cabinets. Instead of scrimping, we talk about giving. I know from experience what it is to be unable to give. My husband and I are Christians, Jesus-followers. And it is my belief that as people created in God’s image, we are hardwired with the need to GIVE. Poverty robs people of that expression. I love that the people at The Haven have a chance to get some of that back.
The Challenge
I told you I felt we had been offered a challenge.I read a book recently called Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt. There was a line in the book I hope I never forget. It is “What are you going to do with what I have given you? How are you going to use your influence, your leadership, and your resources in the world around you?” So I’m answering that to the best of my ability. What would happen if groups of people from Spartanburg (my city) or your city learned how to coupon, to shop mindfully, to stockpile for their families… and then gave of their excess to people in need? Can I give you an example of what a great impact such a plan could have? A while back there was an excellent deal at Food Lion. Using store coupons alone, which could be used once per day per person, a grand total of $1.20 purchased 1 pound of pasta, 1 dozen eggs, an 8oz block of cheese and a bottle of laundry detergent. I recently discovered that there are more than 200 churches with a Spartanburg, SC address. What if 10 people from each church went one day to Food Lion, spent $1.20 and made that purchase? Here’s what that looks like:
2,000 pounds of pasta
24,000 eggs
1,000 pounds of cheese
2,000 bottles of laundry detergent
What if each of those 10 people told 1 other person in their life, “Hey, run by Food Lion today and pick up this
deal!” Now what if all those items purchased for $1.20, what many of us are accustomed to spending on a cup of coffee or a hamburger, were donated to a local shelter or food pantry? Isaiah 58:10 says “and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
I don’t know about you, but I think the hungry and the needy in our city could use a little “light” and a little “noonday.” The Spend Yourself Challenge is set up as a resource for those who have decided that even if they cannot spend their money, they will “spend themselves” in an effort to eliminate hunger. Alerts for stock up and share prices, like that I mentioned from Food Lion. Some basic instruction in couponing. A directory of shelters and food pantries. And some of those churches I’d like to see involved. Visit the site. Contact me if you’re in the Spartanburg, SC area and want to host a free class, or if you’d like help getting something started in your area.
So I challenge you…
No, I DARE you to spend more of yourself,
inviting God to make possible the impossible in your city.
Thanks so much Jaimee. Remember I am always looking for more of you to jump in the spotlight!! If you would like to share something I’d love for you to email me at contactiheartpublix@gmail.com. You can write about anything that you would like to share…stockpiling, budgeting, coupon highs and lows, your best shop–anything! We all love to read others experiences so c’mon and share yours!
wow, love this, ONE person CAN make a difference.
Thank you Jamie for sharing! I believe that we will be judged on how we helped the kingdom…and well, the few moments I spend preparing for a trip to the store is well worth it when I consider how I am able to help so many people. My 4 year old loves to watch our box fill up with items to take to the food pantry at our church…She told me the other day how rich we were because we had enough food to give it to others. And well, she is exactly right!
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this for the rest of us to read, enjoy, and learn. Very inspirational! What a wonderful way to start my day
I am an athiest and have been couponing for over 30 years. For almost all of that time, I have given my “overage” to the local food banks and shelters. I have been teaching “couponing” at the shelters for several years now. I applaud your good works but I disagree with you when you say, “it is my belief that as people created in God’s image, we are hardwired with the need to GIVE.” At the shelters, I am doing “good for goodness sake.” Belief in a god or not has nothing to do with how or why one gives back to society. I think some of us see the need and want to help. Sadly, some see the need and turn their backs.
I agree. I don’t mind the author’s Christianity, but as Buddhist, I don’t believe in the concept of ‘God’ in the same way. I believe humans are compassionate in their true nature, and they want to give when they see the need. Some restrict that to only people they know, others are open to doing it for all humans, but not one of us hasn’t given to someone in need at some point in our lives, if even only family.
I buy canned goods with my extras and donate them to shelters, and I was part of a group for a long time that served meals at a shelter and we were completely secular.
Anyway, I agree with challenging our notions about life, so I choose to hold onto that part. I have got a decent stockpile for my family size now, so I am willing to use my deals and overage to help those who are less able to provide.
That’s cool. I’m glad you’re using your skills for good. I don’t think Christians have a corner market on doing good. In fact, a lot of times, I think others do a better job of it. I had to choose an audience and since my website and what I’m trying to do in Spartanburg is based on the churches, I chose to gear it toward Christians. I hope you were still able to take something away from what I wrote, and I’m sorry if I offended you : )
No, Jamiee you did not offend me but thank you for that. I just wanted to point out that some people do not believe in a god of any kind and yet, have motivated themselves into doing good deeds. The Christians, and any other group for that matter, are people first and that is our common denominator, not a religion. I see helping others as a social responsibility. If one chooses to add a religious responsibility then that is their choice. Being generous should be part of anyone’s life, not just follower’s of one religion or another. Keep up your good work for humanity.
I agree 100%. Thanks, and you too!
What a great story….way to go Jaimee! Very inspiring!
This is exactly what I needed to hear today! Thank you so much for sharing!!
The altruistic concept is admirable, of course, but why does “God” need your invitation to do what is right?
LoL. I suppose He could fix it all himself. Maybe it’s more fun to get us involved?
What a great message! I am inspired!!!!
Jaimee – thanks so much for putting your story out there. It’s both affirming and inspiring. As a lifelong Christian who’s been too timid to talk about her faith, the couponing ministry at my church has opened many opportunities for me to start doing that in small, but meaningful ways. Which was the last thing I ever expected. I got into our coupon ministry to help others in our community who are in need and have been floored at how much it has helped me and my family.
Ilove this story and love to hear of people being challenged to live out their faith and meet the needs of others. While it is true that you don’t have to be a Christ-follower to be generous if you are a Christ folower generosity should be an part of your life. Please don’t be offended because Jamiee is living out her faith. She is doing a wonderful thing and is an inspiration to us all. Thanks for posting this Michelle. Whatever our reasons for generosity we can all agree that their are great needs out to be met with compassion.
Thanks for the inspiring story Jaimee! This makes me want to start a couponing group at my church!
Go for it!
thanks Jamie! I have been couponing for about 2 years and just now getting a regular routine. I am also a stay at home Mom going thru some of those things you already have and appreciate your testimony. My sister and her husband ran a homeless shelter for men and transition center for women, but on a “no offering” basis. In Green Bay, Wi, there were not enough people to support them although the City was all for them. So, they had to close after 10 years. I think she would love to hear what you are doing so I am sending your story to her. Just recently we started getting deals to take to our maternity home, The Living Vine. They house girls who are pregnant but do not plan to keep their children but give them up for adoption. They also operate from the donations of the community. God has blessed this ministry and they also now have Thrift Stores around our town, Savannah, where all the proceeds go back to the maternity home. We often fuss and yell about certain things that go on in our society but rarely do anything to encourage CHANGING that. Couponing (and stores like Publix) has allowed us to enjoy staying home and still giving where God has led.
Jaimee, thank you for sharing your story. I felt like you were telling my story right down to the “pack of women” part. Thank you also for sharing your reasons for giving. I have been working up an idea for doing this at my church and the way you broke it out in numbers and quantity was awesome. That will really help in showing others what they are capable of doing. “He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9 NASB)
I loved your story, and I can relate to triming down that budget. I teach classes at my work (over 1000 employees) most every week on my lunch hour on how to use sales and coupons. Word travels about what we are doing, and other want to learn how to save. I enjoy helping my coworkers since we have been on pay freezes for 3 years, and our medical has drastically increased – and locally we got a 25% electic rate hike last year. I like to help the working class, since a family of 4 on welfare already gets $700/month in food stamps in our state. Heck, I’d be all organic, and eating expensive seafood and steaks if I had $700 a month for groceries. But I work, and can only afford about 25% of that.
Hi Marcia –
I use my couponing as a way to get closer to my chosen lifestyle. I am a mostly vegetarian who likes to eat organic. Part of my lifestyle and religion is to live gently upon the Earth, to reduce, reuse, recycle, go green where possible and to limit consumption of animal products. If I were to embrace this lifestyle without couponing, it could be expensive.
I have taught myself so much, about which produce can be bought organic and which is mostly pesticide-free, so that I can focus my $$ on the ‘good stuff’ which can sometimes be expensive.
I live in a place of abundant produce and fresh seafood (Florida), so that helps, but like everyone else my bills have gone up. I keep trimming the food budget, but I am determined to stay in the healthy zone with what I put into my body.
Awesome post! I am constantly reminding myself of the scripture of being a good steward about we I have before I can be blessed with more. That is one reason I continue to work hard to get the best deals I can for my money. If I don’t handle what God has given me now well, I am closing myself to further financial blessings. Thank you for reminding us that giving is so important. I am going to make a point of purchasing deals to share with our local food pantry.
I am a fellow Startanburg resident and I will think of you everytime I pass the Haven.
Thank you for your bold witness on how active God truly is and how he works in incredible ways, even when times look bleak. Blessings on your ministry!
Thank you for this, God is speaking through you!
Thank you for sharing your story! It is a breath of fresh air for me to hear this :-). I have been couponing for 3 years, once I started learning I taught friends around me but the time it took was getting to be too much. I then shared my story and how coupons had changed my life to a group at church. It was amazing so many people started doing this in my town all by word of mouth. I have been approached several times to take it further, but with me working full time with 3 children I seem to not find the time or energy. However I feel that “GOD” has been tugging at me to share this with the world to bless others and the kingdom. Your story is so inspiring!!!
WOW Jaimee, that was awesome. I would love for something for the Atlanta area like that.
Jaimee, thanks so much for writing this. I got such a kick out of your mention of having an aversion to what attracts most large groups of women (esp. the Beth Moore Bible studies!HA!). That is so like me it isn’t even funny.
Cathy J., please visit http://www.clippingforacause.blogspot.com. It is based in Lawrenceville, Ga. Beth Bonner and her church clip coupons and use them to purchase items for food banks, shelters, transitional housing, etc. I donate two big boxes a week to this cause. It’s a great way to use coupons for a great cause.
I loved this story so much I re-read it a second time. I’m in the Greenville SC area and wish we had similar programs.
Deanna~ Get with some friends from your church or work. Teach them some basics and commit to pooling your excess once a month. Take turns taking the load to a shelter of your choice. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start simple. Start ANYWHERE. Trust me, you can do it and you can make a difference. Just don’t be afraid to take that first step : )
This made me cry- I love it! When people tell me I should sell all of my extra free stuff, I always tell them- no way- I’m going to give it to someone who needs it. And I do, though not in an organized way. I’m so glad to hear about these programs and so thankful to have learned about couponing- my story prior to couponing was very similar to Jamie’s.
Jaimee,
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story! I could totally relate…packs of women scare me too! 😉 Such an inspiration!