Today we are going to hear from April, for whom couponing is really and truly a lifeline. April’s honesty and outlook are truly an inspiration! I love how she chooses not to focus on the negative but instead put her energy towards something positive and motivating.
I had my dream job in Houston, 16th floor office, making more than my parents combined ever made in a year. I never used coupons and didn’t worry about paying for groceries. If I happened to find something on sale, I would congratulate myself all the way home thinking I was a great shopper. Of course, I would stop and pick up $20 worth of Chinese food on the way home from the grocery store.
In 2006, when I was 38, I became ill with Relapsing Polychondritis. It’s a rare disease affecting approximately 3 to 4 people per million and is progressive. I was born with it but we never knew what it was. There’s no set treatment and there’s no cure. In 2006, after my dad’s death, my condition intensified and after numerous hospital stays and trying every med we could find, I had to quit my dream job. I bought my brother’s share and moved into my Dad’s mobile home.
Now I’ve been in FL for almost 2 years. I take meds on Monday and am sick until Thursday night every week. I am not working presently and have very little coming in – mostly support from family. I would have lost my home and my health would have become even worse had I not discovered couponing and old.iheartpublix.com.
About four months ago, I decided to try one of the shopping trips at a Publix near my home. I really didn’t think coupons would make much of a difference even in BOGO deals. I saved approximately 60% my first time out and drove home in a bit of a shock. I had lost my insurance and was not sure how I would pay for the 10 meds I am on, or doctor visits, or lab work. I was scared to death I would lose my home or have to choose between medicine and food. This one trip changed my life. It felt like I had found a lifeline.
Four months later, I have built a small stash of mostly toiletries and cleaning products as well as pantry items. It’s pretty rare for me to pay more than 20% for a non-food item now or 35% for a food item. I have also used other sites to learn how to shop and use coupons for clothes and items Publix doesn’t carry. I have found $20 sweatshirts, Snuggies, socks, jog bras, shoes, bath furniture, and other items for my home for free including many gifts for others. I am able to donate so many items now as well. I can also keep my dog Blue (who I also call my “nurse”) fed on good dog food with coupons and overage too.I am not able to pay my family back right now but I can send care packages full of items to help them with their shopping. In fact, I just sent in the form for my Mom to receive one of the pink cookware sets. She loves that I have found a hobby I love and is my biggest fan when I tell her what I “got for free this week.” It also helps me keep my chin up.
Don’t get me wrong, I complained so much when I was diagnosed – to my Mom, my friends, and mostly God. I didn’t understand why I had to be the one who has this disease in my family. Then came the day that my little brother stepped out of his rental car, walked across my lawn and handed me his first daughter. At that moment, I understood that if he had been the one with this disease, my niece may have inherited it from him. So in a way, I am thankful I have it instead of anyone else in my family. I still complain – like when my hair trickles down my shoulders all day as it’s falling out a little bit or when I have no energy. But, the good side is if my hair falls out, I have 9 bottles of shampoo and 17 bottles of hair conditioner to donate to the shelter. Plus, having no hair in FL would be so much cooler in the summer! People ask me how I can be so positive, and my answer is that you just have to find the silver lining. It’s the only way to be able to live with something like this. I think I realized that no matter how mad or scared I get, I will still have this disease so I am better off accepting it and adapting to it. It’s not fun, but I get to read a lot of books every week and I get to nap with a soft warm dog. I certainly couldn’t do that if I didn’t have the disease!
Realistically, I know what my future holds and I do get scared – just about every day. I still struggle with everything but I know I can provide for myself now that I Heart Publix has taught me how to use coupons! That alone is such a relief. I like couponing and my family loves it for me. They know I enjoy it and it is a great distraction when I am sick. What do I think about on those Monday to Thursday sick days? Getting out and couponing on Sunday! My mom laughed when she said for Christmas she would buy me a new 13″ TV for my bedroom or a new garden light set I really wanted. I told her not to, that all I wanted was a shelving unit system for my stash!
I think I am a much more thankful, kind and thoughtful person now and much of that comes from couponing and being able to give back to others as well as take care of myself. I now think every purchase over and I am much more grateful for what I do have.
I am really honored to share your story, April! We are all rooting for you at I Heart Publix!
In order to keep this new feature going, you all are going to have to volunteer to tell us all about something YOU do when you are couponing!! Your post can be about almost anything to do with couponing. You can tell us about a particularly good or bad situation you’ve dealt with as a couponer, about how you got into couponing or how couponing has impacted the rest of your life…just about anything, really! If you think it’s interesting and it has to do with couponing, email me with your idea at contactiheartpublix @ gmail.com!
I went through breast cancer last year, and I thought the SAME thing about the hair products. How funny! I had just gotten about 20 bottles of hair products on a great deal from IHP and then I lost my hair! But I have hair again and I’m using that shampoo and conditioner so it’s all good!
Good luck to you!
You have the BEST attitude – Thank You. Because so many people are negative when they have nothing to be negative about!
Thanks for sharing!! You are amazing:)
April, you are truly an inspiration for all of us who face similar challenges. God knows you are strong and he won’t give you more than you can handle with his help. Thank you for sharing your story and may God hold you in his hands as you struggle through.
Absolutely amazing story April … Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your experience with us!!
Wow! That was very inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing that story with us this morning!
April, you are an inspiration!!
April, what an inspiration you are! We can all learn something from your story. Take one day at a time and live it counting your blessings. I think sometimes we get caught up in the “busy-ness” of life and sometimes miss out on what is most important. Praying for you April.
What a great story. Your awesome April.
What an inspiration to us all. I pray that your story touches many and brings hope to others going through difficult situations. Thank you so much for sharing. What a great story.
April I’m so glad you shared your story with me this morning. I know what it’s like to feel scared and alone, and like nobody understands. I’m so glad you found a thing that brings you joy everyday. Coupons have done the same for me. Just remember anytime you just need a friend to talk to, that the forum is filled with them. We are all pulling for you, i’m sure!
What a great story, thanks for sharing! A good reminder to be thankful for what we have!
Thank you for sharing your story. May God grant you with blessings and healing to your body.
April,
You are such an inspiration to us all, and please know I am praying for you and this illness you have. Continue to trust in the Lord that He will provide for you. He is such a big God and nothing is too small for him to do!
Wow this is a great story!! Have you looked into getting social security disability since you are unable to work. they will give you money each month, plus you would have insurance covered.
Thank you for opening up to us. You are really an amazing person to share with us. I will pray for you 🙂
What a touching story!
This story brought tears to my eyes. You are an inspiration and we will be praying for you! Thank you for sharing!
April, Thank you for opening up to us. If your income is limited you should apply for Food Stamps and definetely for Social Security Disability benefits. Also you could try the County Human Services – they might help you with medications and utility bills
Am amazing story, April. What a positive attitude! May our God heal you!
Thank you for sharing your story.
Hi April,Last week in the Orlando Sent newspaper they had this great story on these guys who have a awesome foundation to help those of us in tough medical situations to get our meds paid for thru their foundation I can look it up for you if you are interested.I clipped it because I have Multiple Sclerosis & although I am blessed with great insurance the thought of possibly ever having to go without any of the meds rips me apart.
Praying for you!
Wow! What an amazing story! I am praying for you! I definitely believe couponing can become an outlet to stress and to know you are saving money at the same time. I’m so glad you are able to get groceries and other things and even give back by donating your extra’s. You are an inspiration. God has big plans for you. God bless and I will be praying for you!
April, thank you for sharing your personal story. I hope and pray nothing but the very best for you going forward.
april, you are such a strong and amazing woman. thank you so much for sharing your story. all too often we take for granted what we have been blessed with and it takes a reality shock to bring it back home again. you have certainly taken it in stride. i wish you all the best and take care of yourself 🙂
April, I was very moved by your story and your courage and optimism in the face of really tough times. Stay strong-there are better days ahead!
Thank you so much for sharing that. It IS inspirational.
April,
I have a 17 year old daughter that has severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. I noticed that you talked about hair falling out, my daughter has to take methotrexate injections once a week. She started losing her hair from it and the rheumatologist gave her a prescription for Leucovor. It is a prescription strength vitamin that stops the hair follicles from being destroyed. She takes it exactly 12 hours after her injection. It has been amazing! I do not know what meds you take but maybe this will be helpful! It is also inexpensive! Good luck and may God bless you!
April thank you for sharing your story. Good luck to you and I hope your days get better. Please let me know of any coupons you may need, even dog food coupons because they are true companions to us.
brigi2te@aol.com
April, what an inspiration you are. Good luck to you, and God bless you.
Thank you for sharing April’s story. I also live in Florida, and after reading her story, I felt a lift I haven’t felt in a long time. If April reads this – I am so happy to know you have found your silver lining! I have coupons and samples of dog food, pet products, etc. – I will be happy to get them to you and keep you on my “save this stuff for…” list. bluthboys at yahoo dot com (Michelle)
Wow what an amazing story of positive thinking. I am not in a position to help out financially but I would be happy to help with couponing. I no longer have a dog so I would be happy to send those to you and also any other items you are looking for. Just let me know. my email is piphidavis@msn.com