Confessions of a Former Coupon Queen

Why I’m Paying Attention to My Budget Again

By: Dr. Debranetta, Mom, Strategist, Researcher, Chief of Staff

Take a trip with me down memory lane while I share a confession. Back in the day, I used to have a budget blog. This was way before blogging became what it is today. It was around 2008, if I recall correctly. I was passionate about personal finance and helping families make the most of their money. I still am, but have not had the time to really create content or develop the workshops like I used to. But I digress… During that time, I tracked expenses, talked about budgeting strategies, and looked for practical ways to stretch every dollar. Looking back, I realize I was talking about financial wellness before it became a trending topic on social media.

Around 2010, I became an avid couponer. If you were couponing during that era, you know it was more than clipping a few coupons from the Sunday paper. Couponing became a movement. Families were still recovering from the effects of the Great Recession, and many people were looking for ways to reduce household expenses. Blogs like Southern Savers, The Krazy Coupon Lady, and Money Saving Mom became household names for those of us looking to maximize savings. At that time, stores were more generous with promotions, manufacturers offered more coupons, and shoppers could often stack store coupons with manufacturer coupons to create significant savings.

Who remembers the television shows that showcased shoppers leaving stores with overflowing carts and receipts showing hundreds of dollars in savings? I remember one time, I had a huge haul that I posted on Facebook that only cost $3.50 after coupon and deal stacking. There was definitely excitement around finding a great deal and seeing how much money we could save.

Then Life Got Busy

Couponing on that level required time and intentionality. Like many moms, life got busier for me. Career responsibilities increased. The kids became more involved in activities. Convenience started replacing strategy. Somewhere along the way, my budget tracking became less consistent; I wasn’t intentionally neglecting my finances. I simply stopped paying as much attention as I once had. And my coupon binder quietly disappeared. The months and years rolled on, and here I am today, reflecting on the savings I once had. And I am feeling it…

Sticker Shock is Real

Recently, I went back to some “ol’ school” budgeting and tracked every expense for a short period of time. The discovery was mind-blowing.

“When did everything get so expensive?”

A quick grocery trip can easily exceed $100. Household essentials seem to cost significantly more than they did a few years ago. Even products I purchase regularly have increased enough in price that I’ve noticed. While inflation has certainly played a role, I also realized something else. When you stop tracking your spending, it’s easy to lose sight of how much things are actually costing. Without a level of awareness, budgets can easily become a runaway train. Budgeting forces you to look at the numbers rather than relying on assumptions and it reveals spending patterns, highlights habits, and often uncovers opportunities to save that you didn’t realize were there.

Couponing Has Changed

Coupons simply are not as prominent as they once were. That doesn’t mean savings opportunities have disappeared. It simply means your strategy needs to evolve. I consider myself more of a deal shopper than a couponer these days. For example, I intentionally shop at Harris Teeter on Fridays so I can benefit from their 4X fuel points promotions. I also watch for their digital coupons, particularly the $ 10-off-$100 purchase offers, which have been fairly consistent. Those savings may not seem huge at first glance, but they add up over time. I will even go to the extent of purchasing gift cards for retailers that I request when they offer 4X fuel points on gift card purchases. I also shop at Food Lion and make it a habit to clip digital coupons before heading to the store. It only takes a few minutes, and I’ve found that those small savings can make a meaningful difference over the course of a month.

Couponing & Budgeting Lessons Learned Then and Now

One thing I’ve learned through this journey is that saving money in 2026 looks different than saving money in 2010.

• The tools have changed.
• The stores have changed.
• The technology has changed.
• Even my lifestyle has changed.

What hasn’t changed is the importance of being intentional with the resources I’ve been given. Returning to budgeting and deal hunting has reminded me of its importance.

Questions I am Asking You…

As I’ve returned to budgeting, I’ve found myself reflecting on a few important questions that I will, in turn, encourage you to reflect on.

• Have my spending habits changed because my priorities have changed?
• What purchases genuinely add value to my family’s life?
• What financial habits from my past would serve me well in this current season?
• And perhaps the biggest question of all:
• Am I being intentional with my money, or am I simply reacting to life as it comes?

To Wrap It Up

As I reflect on my journey from early budgeting days to couponing and now to deal shopping, I realize that the heart of it has never really changed. It has always been about being intentional with the resources that I have. It’s ultimately about stewardship. Whether I was clipping coupons in 2010, tracking expenses in 2008, or now strategically planning grocery trips while returning to some form of budgeting, the goal has remained the same: financial stewardship. The methods may shift with time, technology, and seasons of life, but this mindset continues to ground me.