Well, not really - but some people sure want you to think that, don't they?
A while ago, I wrote this post about the inner conflict that many women may have as a result of using coupons. That post was written shortly after I hit the Delete button on yet another comment that all but accused me of poisoning my children by buying them foods from "the inside aisles" of the grocery store.
Yes - that's right. I have a Delete button and I'm not afraid to use it. We may have Free Speech in this country, but this is the United Sites of Mindi. I am not about to allow words that may be hurtful to people who are just trying to save some money to remain on my site.
And then the other day, I got another comment from someone who felt the need to go back 4 weeks in my archives in order to scold me. I thought about deleting the comment. Instead, allow me to take this opportunity to refute some of the statements made about Couponers:
People who use coupons eat nothing but junk!
While there are undoubtedly people who only eat the processed foods from the inner aisles of the grocery store, the fact that they use coupons has very little to do with it. Most couponers that I know are just as concerned about feeding their family healthy meals as anyone else and they have a sensible mix of "inner-aisle" foods and "outside-aisle" foods. Do you know what is also in the inner-aisles? Whole grain pastas, legumes and flash-frozen veggies (which many people are saying is just as healthy, if not healthier, than fresh)
How can you say that? Just look at the photos on their sites! I hardly ever see any fresh produce or meats!
While I can't speak for all couponers and frugal bloggers, the reason that you don't see that many pictures of fresh produce or meats on my site is because I split any transactions that might be "photo-worthy" in to a separate shopping trip and/or transaction This enables me to see exactly how much I saved and also to catch any register/cashier errors (which happens fairly regularly). Back to this photo: does that person honestly believe that I fed my family nothing more than frozen soft pretzels and V-8 Splash that week?
Another reason you don't see that much produce or fresh meat? Because we rarely get amazing and inspiring deals on them! What would be the point of saying "Hey! Look at this chicken that I paid retail for this week!"? I could take a picture of the organic steak I got this morning for $1.39...but a picture of 1 lonely steak? Not very inspiring to those looking to create a stockpile of food with a minimum amount of money. The pictures most frugal bloggers post on their site are meant to inspire other hopeful couponers (although some could just be bragging...but I vote for the former).
Oh please: if they were to just shop the outside aisles of the store, they could feed their family for the same amount of money rather than wasting their money on that junk!
Oh really? Tell you what: I'll give you my weekly grocery budget of $50 and you can go to my local stores and get all the groceries I need for my family of five for the next 7 days. Make sure you only get me organic produce and meats, because I want to make sure that my menu is "approved" by you. I'll wait. Heck - I'll even give you $60! Let's see how far you get!
Ok - maybe not for the same amount of money - but with all the time you spend clipping and sorting coupons, you could just work a few more hours and have more income to buy the good stuff!
Yes - and if my mother had been taller I could reach the top shelf of my pantry without a stepstool. Please get off your high horse before you get a nosebleed.
Some people don't have the option of taking another job. Some people live in areas where there ARE NO JOBS. Most of the people I know are salaried and a few extra hours of work only means that they miss dinner and putting their kids to bed...not extra money.
Beyond that - why would I be crazy enough to ever go back to paying full-price for groceries? If the past few months have taught us anything, it's that being stupid with money is no longer cool or a "status symbol" (unless you are looking for the status of "Town Idiot")!
So here's the bottom line to all of you people who feel compelled to go on a "frugal blog" to "put those couponers in their place"
1. When you start paying for our groceries, you can dictate what we purchase.
2. When you live for a month in our house and see what we feed our families, you can make statements about what we eat.
3. We are not to blame for the obesity epidemic in America. Blame the parents who won't get their children out from in front of the TV/video games. Blame the parents who think that McDonald's should be more than a RARE treat for the kids. I could go on, but that would involve injecting politics in to this site (which I don't want to do)
While you're doing that, I'll be busy cooking up my free whole wheat pasta, homemade pasta sauce made from $.14/can organic tomatoes and meatballs made with $1/lb 93% lean turkey.
Shannon
Mindy.. YOU ARE MY HERO!!!
Jennifer A
Ok, this is a new argument to me. I'd love to see people look at what I buy with my coupons. I have absolutely NO conflicts about coupons. I was raised with coupons and I use them myself. Paired with weekly sales, your food budget goes farther.
Jennifer As last blog post..We're listening to Raffi when the kids nap in the car
erica m
Yea, just cause we have a coupon doesn't mean we use it! I giveaway all the ones for processed foods and items I wouldn't normally buy. The coupons I'm interested in are for cleaners, baby items, and healthy stuff like Kashi! I always giveaway more coupons than I use!
People just want to feel better about themselves so they have to find someone to pick on... Can we say, immature?
I loved this post!
Darla
Ahhhh there's the Mindi I know and love.
Bwahahhahahah United Sites of Mindi. LOLLLLL
Considered yourself stumbled.
{pops popcorn cuz this is gunna get GOOD - who needs politic drama!}
Eva D.
LOL! I absolutely loved this blog! I can't believe people actually leave those crazy comments!
Daisy
You GO girl!!!! LOVE it!! Some people are so bitter and small and self-important that they feel they have to go after someone trying to save some money... Go get 'em Girl! 😀
Daisys last blog post..What is the sniglet for this??
Mercedes
Mindi,
You must be in my mind. For the last few days I have been thinkign about how people who don't use coupons think those of us who do eat junk food. This is a common excuse I find from non-couponers about what's keeping them from using coupons: "Most coupons are for junk food, we don't buy that." However I woul d LOVE to challenge someone to walk me through their cupboards to show me what they keep on them. My bet is that they DO buy items that have coupons to save money. People are deluded. Check your cupboards, chances are you keep pasta, cereal, pasta sauce, peanut butter, barbecue sauce. Get off your high horse and get to clipping. You could save money by using coupons!
Mercedess last blog post..PickNSave Copps Double Daze Deals 11/5
Anna
Oh dang girl! I love how you told "those" people. I can't believe that "Judy" person. Sheesh! You did well, very well! Kutos to you 😉
P.S. Going to be doing a giveaway in the next couple of days. 245 coupons in fact!!! So eat that you coupon haters!!!
Annas last blog post..Red Raspberry Leaves and VBACs
DianeScraps
Go Mindi! Funny thing is their complaint is under my post which eluded to the fact that, that particular deal had been part of me getting meat CHEAP! Glade paid for a good chunk of my produce, meat and dairy!
Heck superfresh Triples helped me get free/ nearly free Organic canned tomatoes, rice and yogurt.
DianeScrapss last blog post..Genuardis Nov 1 & Nov 2 48 Hour Game Day Sale
Lori
My blog is still small, so I've not had to deal with any nastiness yet - but I've heard horror stories. I don't think my skin is thick enough - help! Of course, you're exactly right in your refutation of their ridiculous arguments. Your blog is most helpful and is a great benefit to those of us who read it. Which is why I am so UPSET by this sort of thing. If we all spent as much effort trying to affirm and encourage each other for the GOOD WE SEE, this would would be a different place.
**mini-rant for the high-horse riders**
Please remember that while Mindi (and others like her) ventures "out there" in an attempt to help others - you are sitting on the sidelines hurling insults. There were 100 things you could have complimented if you were so inclined.
If you want to make a difference in the world, your time is better spent looking in the mirror for the things YOU can improve. HERE'S AN EXAMPLE: If you think couponers are responsible for obesity in America, who would be responsible for the escalation of anger, insecurity, and self-importance in society? I'll give you a hint: YOU. So you see, there are things you can improve about yourself that should keep you busy enough! And in summary, no one is chaining you to the computer. LOG OFF SISTER! Or better yet, if you have advice to share, strap a bullseye to your butt and write your own blog entries!
**end of rant - whew! I feel better**
I hope you have been encouraged 100 times for every time you have received one of these comments. We all appreciate you so much!
I love what one of my favorite teachers says "most of use a microscope to look at other people and rose-colored glasses to look at ourselves". Aint it the truth!
Loris last blog post..
Kristen.C
I'm a coupon user and darn proud of it. I hate the argument that coupons are only for junk. While it's true that a lot of them are, you just have to look a little harder and use different avenues to get to the ones that aren't. Give me $60 and I could feed your family for a week with healthy organic foods, but I'd have to use coupons to do it.
Good for you for standing up for yourself!
JeanAnnVK
Do people seriously say things like that? Let's remember that it isn't exactly cheap to eat organic foods...and we are all just doing the best we can. I grew many of our veggies this summer...and froze some for winter...but I don't have enough to last, so I will be hitting the markets. People who don't like my shopping don't have to eat at my house!
JeanAnnVKs last blog post..Homemade Holiday Potpourri
jenny
Amen sister. I agree wholeheartedly with this post!!
Manisha
Mindi, I saw that actual post, and I was really irritated. I almost commented on it, but I didn't want to draw more attention to the fact that it was out there.
This week, I'm buying A LOT of less-than-stellar foods. However, it is affording me the opportunity to get store coupons that will get me VERY healthy foods like fresh produce, dairy, yogurt, eggs, and whole grains.
[email protected]
RIGHT ON!
Someone made a nasty comment on my site the other week and I told them off too!
[email protected] last blog post..Love Thursday
Big Blue House Girl
Just wanted to say I LOVE your blog and all your helpful advice and THANK YOU for doing what you do. 🙂 I love coupons. Yes, I do feed my kids junk once in a while that I have bought with coupons..... but realistically, I think I'd *PROBABLY* feed them junk once in a while even if I *DIDN'T* use coupons. Right...? I feel like using coupons on the once-in-a-while-junk frees up $$ that I can use for important stuff like organic milk. Thanks again. 🙂
Big Blue House Girls last blog post..Signs of the Times.
Jenny
How crazy! Sometimes I am shocked at how rude people can be.
How is it anyone's business what you are feeding your family? At least you are feeding them! LOL!
Jennys last blog post..Target Halloween Clearance 75% Off
Mary
Your post made me laugh, thank you! Just found you through Common Sense with Money's blog.
I own a small* (*struggling, if you want to read between the lines on that one!) childrens consignment shop in Michigan. I opened it 4 years ago when I lost my hugely well-paying engineering job. This week? ONE engineering job in the entire paper. Looks like I won't be going back to that career anytime soon... I live in Michigan, yes, the Winter Wonderland (meaning it's gonna be cold when they foreclose and you have to live in your car) with 10% unemployment...or, as my 15-yr-old smart-alec nephew corrected me...9.6%. Oh, sorry, didn't want to include the .4% that is still working for now.
Anyway, your comment about the obese kids playing video games really made me laugh. Yesterday, two little boys came in the shop with their mom, who set them down in the playroom with their Nintendo DS's (I think that's what the little hand held games are called) and told them "DO NOT MOVE WHILE I SHOP". After a couple of minutes watching them staring at those tiny screens with only their thumbs moving, I walked in the playroom and flipped on the VCR. We routinely play "Aristocats" because no one has complained about it yet. We tried running 101 Dalmatians but a few moms got upset because of the word "idiot" in it...we are so PC here it's not funny! Gotta try to please everybody all the time or they won't come back, you know!
So, within a minute or two of me starting the video, both their little heads had turned and were glued on the TV. Their thumbs stopped moving and their mouths were even slightly opened. I'm pretty sure they were wondering what they were watching, what with 1960's animation being what it was. I even heard a few giggles from them as the Cats did their thing.
Kind of refreshing to see how Disney still works miracles with kids! I'd have loved to yank the batteries out of those little games but I think the mom would have complained. Not that sitting in front of the VCR is a good thing, but at least they won't have eyestrain by age 6 from it.
Believe me, if it weren't for coupons giving me free shampoo, toilet paper and South Beach diet bars, I'd have declared bankruptcy a long time ago...
Keep up the good work! Don't let a few loud-mouthed know-it-alls get ya down...you don't know what their life is like - maybe they feed their kids ho-hos for breakfast and are just having a case of the guilts!
Life from the Roof
It's probably impossible to categorize everything you buy on your grocery list in a given week, but I'd be interested to see how you are able to purchase organic meat and everything else on $60 a week, sale price or regular. It would be neat to see a post on "This is what $60 can buy for a family of _____" and maybe it would give readers a deeper understanding of where all of your shopping dollars go.
cheapsk8mom
I found your blog by way of Common Sense with Money -- all I can say is AMEN. I'm definitely going to be reading your posts from now on!
brandy
Amen! I know some people think couponing silly, but I think paying $200-300 a week for groceries is downright dumb. I don't spend a quarter of that and yet all my cabinets and freezers are full. In fact, I'm on a temporary hold for freezer items because it's so full. :]
I work for a construction business and when I say business is slow, I really mean business has stopped. So if/when I'm laid off I know these buying habits will be ever more invaluable to me and my family. Poo on anyone that wants to down you (or me) for doing what you need to do to get by.