It's Not Just About The Coupons. Nope!

Okay. I'll start this post with an amazing grocery deal, then I'll tell you why I've been sharing coupon stories lately (and no... this will not become a coupon blog!). :)

See these?

Our Target sells this wonderful, no-additives guacamole for a beyond-ridiculous $4.29 (!) At my supermarket (the one you're all sick of hearing about), they're $2.99. Since New York avocados are expensive, I just buy them this way, ready-made for guacamole, which makes sense when I factor-in my time, some extra spices and gambling that whole avocados won't turn brown before The Great Procrastinator (me) uses them.

Well, recently these came on sale for $1.88 and I had two coupons for $1 off each. Wow. Only .88 cents for them when--a few doors down--Target shoppers paid a whopping $4.29.

Oh dear.

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Now, why have I been sharing coupon stories/information lately? Well, besides the fact that getting something for free (or nearly so) thrills me (must be something in my genes) this is also one of my small contributions to my world. A way that I can spread hope that--no! People don't need to resort to eating cat food (heaven forbid) or going into debt just to eat real meals ... or going to bed, hungry.

Always, there are ways to feed your family cheaply so that you can use the money, instead, for, say, your electric bill, heating bill, house payment, car payment or _____ .

And why would I mix-in money-saving hints with this Jesus-sharing blog I've got going?  My reasons resemble a passage from a much-loved book, It's Bright In My Valley. Back in the 1940's the author, a young pastor at the time, visited a hard-working Finnish farmer to invite him to church. The farmer accused him of being just another towns-person who spent money on everything except helping farmers:

"And what do you care about the poor? ... Do you go to town meeting? You try to help dairy, chicken farmer? No! You preach sermons, you call on old ladies, drink tea, and tell everybody , everything good, very good. Well, I tell you everything is bad! You do not tell truth!"

Ouch! I read that again on Monday while waiting for Tom at the doctor's office and felt very convicted. You know, to be more willing to 'get my hands dirty.' To do more of what God's gifted me to do, such as, help people save money on groceries.

The happiest Christians I know are those who clearly realize the gifts/talents/callings God gave them specifically. They fine-tune those gifts, learn to perform them better. They give themselves to living the giving way:

 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;

 He who (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.

 Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord."   ... Romans 12:7,8,11

Don't you love the "let him give himself" part? The 'liberality', 'zeal' and 'eagerness' words?

Yeah, I do, too, and that's why I'll continue to share money-saving links and advice. It's all part of doing my part, of using my gifts. Of helping to ease someone's load. 

I've a feeling God thinks that's what much of Life is really all about.

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And what if you're just not into coupons? Well, please let my mentions of terrific deals inspire you to become more serious about saving money in other ways or just becoming more focused in your daily life. 

When I watch movies about great athletes, I don't feel inspired to get out there and race around a track or put on a football uniform. No, I allow those films to nudge me into working harder, becoming stronger and using more determination for what God has called me to do. 

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Doing The Math On Coupons  (A look at couponers' amazing hourly wages.)

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Any questions about the freshness/naturalness of Wholly Guacamole? Go here. I'm very impressed with this company and grateful for their coupons and great sales prices at my store.

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