Extreme Couponing, Decluttering and Budgeting for a Happier Life!

More money can't always make you happy, but these three things can! If you want to embark on a spiritual journey that is great for the mind and the pocket book, then create a plan to utilize extreme couponing, decluttering and budgeting to turn your life around. (for more information on frugality, check out my book The Budget of Your Life, available on Amazon)

Extreme couponing (based on the TLC show Extreme Couponing) is the process of using a system of coupons to save yourself hundreds of dollars at the grocery store. The idea is to collect manufacturers' and store coupons online (or from weekly ads) and file them away by category or type. Step two is to get to know your store's policy on coupons. Find out when they have double coupon days and what items are on sale, including seasonal items. With your plan together, you attack the grocery store, filling up carts full of savings. Many of the extreme couponers on TLC get hundreds of dollars worth of groceries for less than $50.

Declutter places in your home. Focus on one area and start pulling things apart, using an open area to work and sorting out the items you need to declutter. If you can afford it, have some 50qt. plastic bins ready (as square as possible) because they are generally easier for one person to lift. Another good thing about plastic bins to declutter is that they protect your items much better than cardboard. The best thing to do is work an hour per day on your decluttering project. Rule of thumb: If you haven't used it in five years, you don't need it. Throw it away! There's a place for everything. Decluttering brings you the spiritual peace of a clean home, and knowing where things are .

Budgeting is the final step for a happy existence. Budgeting is like decluttering your home, only with your finances. Use a spreadsheet to list all of your expenses and then focus on a spot where you see the greatest opportunity to budget. Start budgeting that item first. If you don't use it-magazine subscriptions, extra cable channels or extravagant food expenses-cut it out. You don't need it. Focus on simpler, cheaper things to make yourself happy. It helps to remove redundancies as well. For example, having land phone lines and also cell phones is redundant. Budget for just one or the other, but not both.

If you want to know more about being frugal, please read my book The Budget of Your Life available on Amazon.Com. Happy frugality!