What saving money actually means to us

A lot of people treat saving money as a simple equation: Spend less, save more. That can work on paper, but in real life, that idea can be complicated. Personally, we know just how quickly life can muddy the waters of saving. 

Of course, we’re here to help you when you want to spend a little less at checkout and when you need to save your hard-earned money. But we thought you might want to know what saving actually means for us.

I’m Valen, a junior content editor at Coupons.com, based in our Kuala Lumpur office. And I’m Kimi, an editor from the Atlanta, Georgia office. We both work hard every day to bring you deals and coupons, but we also have to make the same calls you do, on a regular Tuesday, with a cart full of wants and a budget that has limits. 

We thought we’d share our own personal takes on savings, our wins, and why we do the things we do. 

Valen: It’s all about the “why”

For me, saving starts with a reason, not a rule. One month, it’s about keeping a little space between paychecks. Another month, it’s about making sure I can say yes to something fun without stressing the next day. If I don’t name the “why,” I either save in a way that feels miserable, or I stop paying attention and drift.

My most practical and consistent “why” is security.

An emergency fund may be boring. It just sits there. But if something goes wrong with my car or I have any other issues, it can keep the whole month from falling apart. 

Security is just the baseline for me so that I don’t panic if something comes up. 

For me, security isn’t just about practical buys. It also means having the freedom to spend on something I like and being able to do that unimpulsively. Every now and then, I’ll find myself staring at a sweater, a new fragrance, or even the latest headphones with the urge to just buy it. Saving on my daily things does not erase that urge, it gives me a way to deal with it responsibly.

That is where I think the difference between smart spending and simply spending less really shows up. Spending less can feel like an automatic “no” to everything; a limitation of some sort. Smart spending is more intentional and feels less restrictive. I try to slow down and ask a few practical questions. Am I buying this because I truly want it, or because I’m bored and scrolling? Is there a cheaper way to get it? Will I still care about it next week? 

To avoid this situation entirely, here’s a tip that always works for me: Wait at least 24 hours, then if you still feel like you want it (and you can afford it), then buy it. Most of the time for me, the feeling of “I really want this” goes away during this “waiting period”. 

If the feeling is still there, I do a little extra legwork to make sure I get the best price. For example, whenever possible, I use a promo code that matches my order and make use of cashback offers. Often these two can be combined to double the savings. I also compare prices across retailers, not just the sticker price, but also shipping costs and return policies. 

This plays out in real moments, not spreadsheets. Just the other day, I had Air Jordans open on my screen. I could already picture them showing up at my door. Then I did my 24-hour rule. By the next morning, I was over it. I have enough shoes. I closed the tab and moved on.

But sometimes the answer is yes. Recently, I saw Azzaro The Most Wanted Intense at 10% off. I was already due for a new fragrance, and I already knew I loved that one. So seeing it on sale was the trigger to catch the savings, I had already done the 24hr rule while waiting for a sale on this fragrance. That’s the key. The discount was a bonus, not the reason. I’ve used it almost every time I have gone out since, which is how I know it was a good buy.

So, the emotional side matters too. Saving money gives me peace of mind in a way that is hard to appreciate until you have felt financial stress yourself. When I have a small cushion, I feel more in control. I make clearer decisions. I worry less about what could go wrong.

Kimi: Little habits that help my future self

So, here’s something a little embarrassing for me to admit. Before I was hired at Coupons.com, I wasn’t too pressed about deals and discounts. If I ended up getting something on sale, that was a nice bonus, but I’d often choose the speed and ease of buying things at full price. 

But getting this job back in 2021 has certainly changed how I shop and spend my money. It only makes sense that I started implementing the money-saving techniques I learned, into my personal shopping habits. Now, I always check for that newsletter subscription coupon, and I’ve gotten much better at waiting for sales.

For me, saving is about two things: It’s putting my skills to the test because I love a challenge, and making sure I’m looking out for myself, financially, for whatever the future brings my way. 

I’ve also become a more conscious shopper overall. My budget has tightened in recent years, and I imagine that’s the case for most people. So saving my money has become incredibly important to me. Sometimes that translates into resisting the urge to buy something altogether. This is when I put my know-how to the test. 

To start with, whenever I want to buy something now, especially if it’s not essential, I use a tactic similar to Valen. I try to wait days or even weeks to see if it’s something I’m still thinking about after the initial desire has passed. 

If the answer to "Do I still want to buy this?” is a yes, then it becomes about hunting down the best possible price. This is where my work experience plays a role. Are there current coupons or sales on the website that can help me save? If not, can I figure out if or when it might be discounted? And finally, patience is golden.

I actually spent several months in the market for a new duvet cover, but was waiting for the best time to buy it. There finally came a time when a sitewide sale and extra promo code allowed me to save a total of 30%. It was the lowest price I had seen in the months I spent monitoring the site, so I finally took the plunge!

Ultimately, saving money is all about helping my future self and knowing I’ve gotten the best value for my money. The savings I rack up by being strategic and patient with my spending means I have a little extra to put away in my main savings account or a sinking fund at the end of the month. It also means that I’m less blindsided when I realize that I have to order more contact lenses before my next paycheck hits. 

I like building a safety net for whatever surprises or big expenses life may throw at me. So when I save money, whether it’s from getting an order at 50% off or resisting temptation altogether, I know that I’m helping my future self by building that safety net. 

Saving with purpose and intention

For both of us, saving money isn’t just about cutting back. It’s about being thoughtful, intentional, and aligned with your personal goals. 

Valen shows us that having a clear “why” behind saving creates balance between security and enjoyment, while Kimi highlights how small, consistent habits and patience can build long-term financial stability. 

Together, we believe that our experiences reveal that smart saving isn’t restrictive but empowering. It doesn't matter if it’s waiting before making a purchase or taking advantage of discounts. Every mindful decision contributes to your savings goals, no matter what they are. 

That’s what saving means to us, and we hope you can relate.

The Clip is where the people behind Coupons.com get to speak plainly. No press releases. No corporate polish. Just honest stories from people who think hard every day about helping you spend less and keep more.