Frugal Flops

Despite the best laid plans, carefully-crafted spreadsheets, alphabetized coupons and shopping strategies, sometimes our deals, well, flop.

I had two such experiences this weekend which caused me to reflect on "frugal failures." Neither were earth-shattering failures, but they were disappointments. At one store I paid $2 more than I expected; at a second store I was left with a whopping $11 OOP! Rather than wallow in self-pity, I decided to treat these flops as learning experiences.

If you learn something from every deal then there is no failure. What are some of those lessons?

1. You can't control every outcome. Despite our best efforts we cannot control beeping coupons, items ringing up at the wrong price, surly cashiers or ECB's not spitting out when they're supposed to.
2. Always have a "plan b." I've learned this from playing the CVS game. I can work out a scenario to the penny and then have one or more items be out of stock. The unexpected always throws me in a tizzy! Since I am mathematically challenged I am sure to tuck a calculator and pen in my purse in case I need to do some last-minute calculations on my shopping list. Or, better yet, figure multiple scenarios without even leaving home.
3. Always bring extra coupons for the items you are purchasing...just in case!
4. If you don't carry all your coupons in the store, make sure to bring your coupon box or binder and leave it in the car. I personally am guilty of "forgetting" this one. I can't even count the number of times I've been in Walgreens and found a great clearance deal but couldn't take advantage because my coupons were at home.
5. Treat your frugal shopping be a game, rather than as a chore. It really is OK to skip a deal or even to avoid the stores for a time. As with any game, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. There WILL be times things don't go as planned. Take this into account and "budget" for failures like that higher-than-expected OOP. Then when things go as well (or better) than expected you can celebrate!

Living on a budget necessarily means more time and effort spent in planning and shopping, but it should not become a dreaded chore. And a deal that goes awry or a high out-of-pocket is not cause for beating yourself up. Look at your frugal flops for what they are... learning experiences and not failures. Think of all the times your smart shopping has benefited your family! Remember of all the times your stockpile has allowed you to donate to food pantries or a favorite charity. Be happy each time you pull out a bag of almost-free chocolate to give to a teacher or friend on a whim. Concentrate on the positives.