I am finally getting back into the swing of couponing again. I took a semi-break for the last couple of months, but am now ready to buckle back down and replenish my stockpile that we've been living off. I had forgotten how much of our budget gets eaten up by grocery bills when I don't coupon.
Another neat thing with having a stockpile- donations. I get so many items for free or nearly free, mostly health and beauty items. But I just simply don't need them all.
I am proud of the Inner City Mission here in Springfield, of the work they do and the support and outreach they have for troubled lives. For more information on them, visit the ICM website.
Our church collects a certain item for ICM every month (for example, July is school supplies). But I put whatever I have in the box!
This is what I took to the box today, and the approximate retail value.
6 cans Oust x 3.00 = 18.00
6 packages feminine items x about 3.50 each = 21.00
Schick Titanium razor about 9.99
Razor refill about 9.99
Right Guard deodorant about 3.50
3 body washes x about 4.00 each = 12.00
2 toothpasts x about 3.00 each = 6.00
perfume = 5.00
air freshener = 7.00
So, I was able to donate about 90 dollars with of merchandise to ICM, that their residents can use.
AND I GOT ALL THAT STUFF FOR FREE!! A few of the items (The Oust and the deodorant), I was actually PAID to buy.
A forum that I belong to is having a $20 Charity Challenge. Starting with $20 in cash (or gift card or whatever), how much can you purchase specifically for donations? It starts today- July 11th. CVS has several items that are free after Extra Care Bucks. I may end up having to spend about 8-10 of my starting 20 this week, but I'll have lots of ECBs to roll in the coming weeks.
I'll keep you posted on what my $20 can buy. I challenge each of you to spend just $5 this week on items for donation. Even if it's just a couple gallons of milk- you won't notice the extra $5 you've spent, but a homeless shelter or soup kitchen or whatever would be really grateful for a couple gallons of milk. Or, you can shop CVS with me and get lots and LOTS of stuff for your money.
