You don’t get paid enough to afford all the groceries you’d like. In fact, if it wasn’t for coupons, you wouldn’t be able to get everything you need, right? Coupon clipping is a time-honored way of saving money and a source of pride amongst many of us who need those paychecks to go as far as possible. But there are two ways to look at it: as a way to put food on the table that you otherwise couldn’t afford, or as a way to trick money-conscious consumers into buying stuff they normally wouldn’t. Which takeaway describes your situation? To find out, you have to answer two questions. The first question is, “Do I need — and will I use — everything that I buy with coupons?” Here’s the thing: Coupons are designed to affect you psychologically. It turns out that the same part of your brain that governs basic instincts (like hunger and pleasure) also loves a screaming good deal. It can be hard to resist the allure, and that means you often spend money on things that you normally wouldn’t, because you have a coupon. It’s tough, but stick to the staples — like rice, beans, oats, and salt — that you’ll use eventually and that won’t go We Do the Math on Coupon Clipping STEP AWAY FROM THE NEWSPAPER PUT DOWN THE SCISSORS AND
bad. Of course, if you’ve wanted something for a long time and it goes on sale, it makes sense to buy. But don’t let the coupon section dictate your desires! The second question is, “How much is my time worth, and how much of that time do I spend hunting down the best deals and clipping coupons?” We’re not trained to think of our time as valuable when we aren’t working, but time is the one thing you can’t get back. If you’re saving $25 a week on stuff you actually need, but it takes 4 hours a week to get that savings, you’re losing money even if you make minimum wage. That’s time you could be spending with family, picking up a half-shift at work, or finding innovative ways to make money. We won’t deny that there are great deals out there — deals that are now more available than ever thanks to apps like Groupon. But don’t mistake coupons for anything but what they really are: businesses trying to trick your brain into buying more stuff. Use them wisely, but don’t let them rule you.
Co-Parenting When School’s Out SUMMER SCHEDULING
Summer can be a challenging season for co-parents trying to maintain a consistent parenting schedule. Say what you want about school, the structure of the 8-to-3 day with set weekends makes figuring out who will have the kids much easier. It also can be a godsend if you’re working a 9-to-5 job yourself.
Sometimes the trickiest part of summer scheduling is coordinating vacations. Trips often depend on time off from work and other factors and might not fall perfectly into your planned schedule. And what if both parents want the kids for Labor Day weekend? Be considerate of everyone. And if the kids are taking off for a week or two with the other parent, make sure they know that you want them to enjoy themselves. If you can’t take them on a similar trip this summer, that’s okay; you can always do something special with them later in the year. In this maze of scheduling, it can be easy to forget another important aspect: what the kids want! Be sure to ask them and really listen. Their well-being is what matters, and their wants should be taken into account. If their desires run counter to your own, remember that it’s not personal; summer can be a tough time for them, too. If you can keep them involved in the process, your summer plans will go much smoother, with much less stress.
It’s wise to plan early; but even now in July, it’s not too late to sit down and map out the rest of the summer. Factor in sports, summer camps, and other activities your kids will participate in. Establish a well-defined schedule that works for both parents. It may be tempting to wing it, especially if you have a healthy relationship with your co-parent; but try to resist that urge, as it will likely lead to added stress. A schedule that has flexibility is going to work better than simply improvising one.
2 www.stglawfirm.com
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