[coupondink]

I started couponing when I got married- 2.5 years now. My first shopping trip after he were married was a shocker. $300. I knew right then and there I needed to do something. So I started couponing. Luckily, my Dad taught me well in my childhood- he is a long time couponer. For the past decade or so I always a few here and there, but never like this. Now, I have widdled down my grocery bill to single digits. My goal this year is $0 per month. I was doing ok for the past 4 months, but it is getting harder and harder now.

At first, DH thought I was crazy and compulsive. He is not a bargain shopper- when he was a bachelor he bought all his groceries at 7-11. True! So he thinks I am nuts.

Well it took time, but he came around eventually.

It went something like this:
she is nuts
she is obsessive
she is wasting her time
wow I am sure eating well, no more Popeyes
wow you spent how much on groceries this month?
wow you got a carload of food for nothing?
hmm, let me buy you a chest freezer
let me build you some shelves in the garage
wow you are good at this
brags to friends about my mad couponing skillz

I did a lot of work to help him to come around though.

Every month, I tell him exactly how much I spent on groceries and how much I saved.
I point out good deals occasionally. "wow! look at that! Free Ground Turkey at Acme this week!"
Every time I go shopping, as he helps me unload the car, I am sure to point out how I spent nothing on the load.

I still do all the shopping. He admires me, but will NEVER do it himself. EVER. I am careful to make sure we are fully supplied in everything he will ever need. It is important that the man never steps inside a grocery or pharmacy. He will go for juice and go buck wild and drop $50 on chips and cookies. So far so good. I try to keep fully supplied. He only goes to the store maybe once a year now. LOL.

He now respects what I do. He gets it now. Finally.

It is worth it. Keep it up!