So, I’ll occasionally post pictures of my shopping trips to show you all how FUN couponing can be – and what GREAT deals we can get. And it’s so true – there is an adrenaline rush when I get $100 worth of groceries for $2, or whatever the case may be.

But that is not what this picture is about.

I’m showing you this picture because I want you to know that there’s an even more compelling reason to coupon. There is something so much MORE FUN than just getting good deals…And that is giving to others.

Our church sent out a family to the mission field of Togo, West Africa about five years ago. They are coming home on furlough this summer, and we’re preparing their rental home for their arrival. So, when our church family was called upon to donate items for their return…

I shopped my stockpile!

I can’t tell you how fun and rewarding it is to be able to walk down to my basement and pull items off the shelves that I know will bless others.

To be honest, I’m not sure how much these items cost all together over the months I’ve collected them. But my best guess at retail value is about $140. And the only items that I bought this past week were the Reynolds Wrap foil and the Old Orchard juice, which cost approximately $3.34 after coupons. Not bad when this stuff will fill a few cupboards for our special family!

I can vividly remember just a few years ago, when our budget was in the negative every month and the thought of donating $5 would make me sweat. I wanted to give but was afraid of going further in the red. (Obviously, this was before we found Dave Ramsey, or at least before his principles had helped drag us out of the mire of debt. This was also before I had learned to be a savvy shopper.)

I’m so thankful to be in a position now to be able to give!

God wasn’t joking when He said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)!