Stewardship Couponing...

"The Storehouse"

I started couponing nearly 60 years ago with my grandmother, Ada.  Grandma collected S&H Green Stamps and Plaid Stamps.  They were collectively known as "trading stamps".   The more she shopped, the more stamps she got.  I remember licking stamps for those stamp books until my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth.  The glue was not very tasty but I kept on lickin' because I knew that we were trying to get a reward.  Pots, dishes, utensils, a television or whatever I saw in the catalog, I just knew that one more lick could mean the difference between a coffeepot and a radio.  Ironically, I can't remember any of the items that we received from the boxes of trading stamp books we redeemed.

I, like many of you, saw the show, "Extreme Couponing" in the winter of 2010.  I watched with my mouth wide open for the entire show.  I was hooked! At the same time, I said to myself, "Oh, oh! The stores are not going to be happy with this revelation."  And they weren't.  Couponing is not like it used to be back when it was underground.  But, you don't have to be an extreme couponer to save tons of money on your groceries, cars, clothes, homes, etc.  Take what you learn from me and others like me and use it to change your shopping lifestyle and you will save money.

After grocery shopping, I love standing at the register watching the bottom line shrink.  When I scan my loyalty card, my store coupons, then my manufacturers coupons, AND then get more coupons with my receipt, I love it!!!

            My goal is to help you begin to reap the rewards of couponing along your journey to stewardship!  Join me as I introduce you to the stewardship of couponing.  Proverbs 6:6-8:  “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

Like the ant, learn how to “stockpile” for the winter weather and times of hardship.  Learn how to shop the sales and save30%- 70% (and more) percent every single time you shop at the grocery store and pharmacy.  Apply couponing strategies you learn to all areas of your finances.  The stewardship of couponing will help you become the master of your finances instead of your finances being the master of your life and that of your family.

"The Storehouse" - Malachi 3:10

Is it hoarding?  We do not buy what we do not eat.  We give of the “storehouse” freely to our family, neighbors, and our church’s homeless ministry.  We do not gather for the sake of “having it on hand”.  We enjoy the feeling of being prepared to help ourselves and others when needed.

Freedom from want will free you up spiritually and usher you into a spiritual state of charity.  You will have “stores” to donate to the homeless, hungry, and those in financial crisis.  We call our stockpile “the storehouse”. 

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.  If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10 - New Living Translation