I’ve always been someone who liked saving money, but
honestly, I never took coupons seriously. I thought clipping coupons or
searching for promo codes was something only extreme savers did. But one day,
out of curiosity (and a tight budget), I decided to challenge myself: What
if I only shopped using coupons for a whole month?
What started as an experiment turned into one of the most
eye-opening months of my shopping life.
Here’s exactly what I learned — and how you can benefit from
it too.
Lesson 1: Coupons Are Everywhere (If You Know Where to Look)
In the beginning, I thought finding coupons would be hard.
But once I started looking, I realized deals are all around us.
- Retail
websites often have hidden coupon sections
- Coupon
extensions like Honey and Rakuten apply codes automatically
- Social
media pages share flash promo codes daily
- Email
sign-ups give instant discounts (sometimes 10–20%)
After a few days, I got used to checking these places before
I bought anything — and it became a habit.
Lesson 2: Planning Pays Off
When you’re using coupons, impulse buying just doesn’t make
sense. I had to plan my purchases more carefully — whether it was
groceries, personal care, or household items.
Instead of buying whatever I felt like in the moment, I’d:
- Make
a list of what I need
- Check
for available coupons ahead of time
- Wait
for items to go on sale
- Combine
deals (like a coupon + a store promo)
This meant less waste, smarter spending, and
more intentional shopping.
Lesson 3: I Saved More Than I Expected
Honestly, I didn’t think using coupons would make a huge
difference. But I was wrong.
Here’s a quick breakdown of my savings over the month:
- Groceries:
Saved $38
- Clothing:
Saved $27
- Skincare
& health products: Saved $45
- Home
items: Saved $19
That’s a total of $129 saved in just 30 days — and I
wasn’t even being extreme about it.
Lesson 4: Not All Coupons Are Worth It
One thing I learned quickly is that not every coupon is a
good deal.
Some coupons try to get you to buy more than you need. For
example:
- “Buy
3, get 1 free” — when you only needed one
- “20%
off if you spend $100” — when your total was $40
- Short
expiry dates that push you to rush
I became more careful and only used coupons that made
sense for my budget and needs.
Lesson 5: Shopping Became Fun Again
Surprisingly, this challenge made shopping fun. I enjoyed
the thrill of finding the best deal, comparing prices, and knowing I was
being smart with my money.
It felt rewarding to get things I needed without
overspending — and that made everyday essentials feel like wins.
Final Thoughts
Spending a whole month shopping only with coupons taught me
that saving money doesn’t have to be hard or boring. With just a little
effort, I learned how to shop more intentionally, cut my costs, and still enjoy
the things I love.
Now, even though the challenge is over, I still use coupons
for nearly everything — because why pay full price when you don’t have to?
If you're ready to start your own savings journey, check out
AbbiCodes.com — where I
share the latest coupon codes, promo tips, and easy ways to shop smarter every
single day.