I don't "do" coupons
Only poor people clip coupons
What will other people say when I whip out my 50 coupons?
There are other excuses for not using coupons, but let's just focus on these. They are condensed, but I bet you have either heard them said (or something similar), or said them to yourself when you threw out the weekly coupon circular in your Sunday paper
But you know what you tossed out?
Money. Cash. Dollars. That stuff-which-makes-the-world-go-'round. If I told you to take $10-50 each week and flush it down your toilet, would you? So why do you persist in tossing out your coupons?
So let's take the excuses one-by-one:
I don't DO coupons: why not? are you too good for it? Does your shite not stink? Are you too lazy? Are you the one who found the ONE money tree that actually gives money instead of leaves? I don't mean to be offensive so early on in this blog, but nobody is "above" coupons. It is no different than hitting a great sale at Target, Macy's or NeimanMarcus. I shop at all 3 of them and I "do" coupons. I get free Silk SoyMilk AND the $20 designer shoes.
Only poor people clip coupons: you know who also clips coupons? People who do not wish to be poor. People who wish to spend whatever income they have on more fun things than groceries. You know what I did this morning? I woke up and brushed my teeth with a free toothbrush and free toothpaste. Then I got in the shower and washed my body with free soap, and my hair with free shampoo and conditioner. Then I used my free razors and free shaving cream to shave myself in the "appropriate places". After that I used my $22 facial cleanser, dried off and used my $32 facial cream and my free body moisturizer. I used the savings from my grocery budget to pay for the extravagances of my skin care budget (and we won't even get in to my shoe budget!)
What will other people say when I whip out my 50 coupons?: that can be an issue and it is one that I have had to deal with. It can be embarrassing (especially when you run in to an over-zealous clerk who feels the need to inspect each coupon)to stand there while the people behind you are getting annoyed. People like to give the impression that you are holding them up...that you are being rude for using coupons...that you are just a cheapskate arguing over $.75 off a can of Pringles (hey - if you find that coupon, let me know, because that is a FABULOUS one!). But you know what? The day that those people behind you start paying for your groceries is the day that they can start dictating how you pay for those groceries. The best that you can do is be completely organized before you step in to that checkout lane. After that, it's not your problem. Really - it's not your fault. You are a grownup now. As long as what you are doing is legal and moral, do you really care what others think of you? Of course, the alternative (if you can swing it) is to shop on "off-hours" when the store is less busy to avoid holding up the fewest people. But the truth? We women are "hard-wired to feel guilty for every thing we do. Resolve yourself to NOT feel guilty for using coupons and you will be amazed at how annoyed you get with the impatient people behind you (of course, this is assuming that you are organized before you step in to the check out lane Those who aren't organized get 20 lashes with a coupon from MKTN!)
So what holds you back from using your coupons?
This post is part of Frugal Friday. Check out the other great tips by clicking here!
Mindi has been blogging since 2008 sharing her best frugal living tips, recipes and more. When she isn't writing, she spends time as an unpaid cook, maid and chauffeur to her 3 children!
I just want to play devil's advocate here and address #1 - Another reason people may not do coupons (this is not my reason - my reason in the past has been lack of time) is that they lack the organizational skills needed to make it work. Also - and this has played into my lack of participation in the past - many people are brand loyal and will only buy certain products (I have a very fussy dh - there is a reason why I no longer am catering to this particular madness of his but I can't get into it on the blogosphere).
As for the "what will other people think" thing goes... WTH do you care what other people think? I always say "You want to live my life? Pay my rent". I think of the coupon thing as just being very clever - getting more for less - that is a good thing. You said it quite well here: "The day that those people behind you start paying for your groceries is the day that they can start dictating how you pay for those groceries."
[for the most part, my brand loyalty has gone out the window, with the exception of my (facial) skin care & Pampers. I thought I would have a hard time switching, but I really don't. That doesn't mean that I buy stuff that I don't like...for instance, I can get Brut deodorant as a "moneymaker" this month (the small one is generating an equal ECB AND I have a bunch of $1 coupons), but I can't stand the smell of Brut. I might still buy it before the end of the month if I need a "filler", but then I will just throw it in the donation bag. And you would be amazed at how many people don't want other people to see them using coupons because then those people might think less of them! - Mindi]
One particular annoying day, I went to the store and handed the cashier a stack of coupons. She looked like I just handed her a handful of Anthrax powder. Being fed up(which is not a good time to go grocery shopping), I just looked at her and said "my house is paid for, how about yours" I know, not very nice. I get fed up with cashiers treating me like a leper because I save money(BTW after my total went from $93 to $8 she was kind of impressed)
Yes it takes organization(which is my weak point) but since I am home full time I have the time(I know people that work fulltime that can do it to)
Billions of dollars in coupons are available each year and so many of that goes unused. If no one wants them, more for me!
[I've had the same reaction many times...both the "oh no! look" followed shortly by the "WOW!". It's kind of funny!
If you get those billions of unused coupons, may I please have a few million of them? 😉 - Mindi]
aprils last blog post..Frugal Friday