SI Money Savers

One of the things I love most about shopping with coupons is the fact that I have been able to give more than I could imagine.

When I started this coupon journey a year and a half ago I really wanted to help out my family but I also wanted to be able  to help out others.  There were several times that my family growing up was helped out and that kind of thing sticks with you forever!! My heart cries out to those in need.  Which is why my husband and I have been giving more and more ever since I started using coupons.

Locally there are several places to give that I can think of off hand.  I am sure that there are many more.

Ministerial Alliance in Benton Illinois

The Lighthouse Homeless Shelter in Marion Illinois

The Women’s Center in many Southern Illinois Counties

The main place we donate is the Ministerial Alliance becuase it is very close to us.  However we have donated to both of the other places.  My hubby and I had a discussion before 2010 arrived about our giving and decided that we would add a $10 a week allowance on top of the items we already get for free or nearly free.  It is not counted in my weekly shopping trips because this dosen’t fall under that category for us.

In the picture above you can see some of the items we have ready to take over to the Ministerial Alliance.  Lots of disposable razors that were free after $2 off coupons.  Some of the coupons I ordered which made them 20 cents a piece. Some Johnson’s baby Q-tips that I got for 27 cents a piece.  Some vitamins I got for 50 cents each and several trial size items.

My local Ministerial Alliance will take just about anything providing it is in good shape.  Food, toiletries, health and beauty items, clothing, unopened over the counter medicines, etc.  They also like the trial sized items to hand out so I always sign up for all the free samples you can find online then put them in the donation bag.  Every month there are coupons that can get items for free and nearly free that I  may not use but someone else may have a need for them.

As for our $10 giving allowance, over the past month our church has been collection can goods to donate.  Jonah’s Sunday school class has a competion to see who can bring the most of whatever they are collecting that month.  So this past month we bought $10 worth of can goods each week.  Being able to help others works for me.

Have you found that by using coupons you are able to donate more??  I would love to hear about ways that you are able to give because of coupons.  I believe that God is calling me to give even more this year and I would love to hear about more possibilities.

Do you give of your time??  I would love to hear about that too!  Giving does not have to be monetary, there are so many ways we can help others.