Coupons an Embarassment?

[disneynuts777]

Ok, ok...here's what really happened: Prior to the rude comments, the husband most likely said the following:

"what a smart shopper and caring wife, just look how she is getting the most of her family resources...I sure wish my wife was like that" only he didn't realize that he said it out loud thus the response from his wife.

Yep, I'm pretty sure that is what happened.

I coupon like crazy. And I never feel guilty or embarrassed. Why would I spend full price on an item I can get for 50% off or free.

Every dollar I save from my budget somewhere goes to the vacation fund. It will be worth it when we are in WDW this August for 9 days in a Moderate resort this year instead of a value and able to upgrade to the DxDDP.

 

[abeyst]

"Top 10 Reasons NOT To Get Behind Me In Line at the Supermarket"
10) I have OCD: Obsessive Coupon Disorder
9) I'm the crazy coupon lady you've heard about. Really.
8) I save $59.22 on a $60 order. I'm trying to beat my record.
7) If patience isn't your virtue, change lines. Seriously.
6) I'm protected under the Right-to-Coupon Act.
5) "Price Check"
4) Five separate receipts should do it. Maybe six.
3) I may be slow, but my groceries are free.
2) I have coupons, and I know how to use them.
1) This hobby is paying for my next trip to Disney!

OMG, this needs to be on the back of a t-shirt I can wear to the grocery store! Then everyone standing behind me in line can read it, laugh, and quietly move to a different line, lol! Confrontation averted!

 

[MonkersMama]

I'm a regular coupon princess too (not going to say queen, because I still haven't figured out the whole CVS routine)...but I had a telling moment when my boss (whose husband is the president of a large bank...and not one that is in "trouble" right now either...) asked ME how to coupon. Yep, they have multi-millions and she coupons.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

I would have loved for that woman to meet my DH. He's like the kid in the candy store. "Oh, how much did we save today?" "I can't wait till we get our beer rebate in the mail." "Honey did you use the free gift card?"

Speaking of free toilet paper, there were some free Marcal toilet paper coupons in the paper some weeks ago. DH comes home the other day with 30 rolls of toilet paper. He announces proudly; "I have used coupons and will now make a toilet paper fort."

How often are we going to see any of the same people in the grocery store? Probably not often so who cares what they think.

 

[disneymom3]

And, unfortunately, the only was to be sure that we will be able to continue to use coupons in the future is if the manufacturers keep putting them out there for us. And they won't do that if we abuse coupon use.

Buying coupons is illegal.

If you want to get more coupons, get a few extra newspapers on Sundays or join a coupon train/swap with other people who use coupons. You'll have plenty of coupons, and won't need to try and "buy" them from somewhere else.

I have never, ever "bought" coupons and I have enough FREE toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry soap and body wash stocked in my basement to last until Jesus comes back!

Really? I did not know that. I have never done this either but do have another site bookmarked on my favorites that I keep an eye on that does basically the same thing. I will have to look into that illegality thing. I sure would hate for anything illegal to be going on with this family that runs that business.

That must be why the auctions on ebay state that you are paying for their time and effort. Maybe that is the way these websites get around that too.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Was this at Walmart? I've had several "line altercations" with people at Walmart. From a lady telling me how inappropriate it was to just put a handbasket on the conveyor belt and not taking the 5 items out and putting them on the conveyor belt, to not putting the little plastic divider thingie up behind my stuff on the belt to divide my items from theirs, and so on. I've never had anyone say a word to me anywhere else than Walmart. I don't shop there anymore as I do a lot of couponing and some local grocery stores carry the brands I like so I shop there.

Anyways, coupon away! I love coupons. And I'm so jealous when someone has a lot of coupons! Although I do get frustrated behind a disorganized couponer (but I would never say anything). When the order is rung up and the cashier is waiting for the customer and he/she is going through every single coupon in their envelope. I get all mine out before getting in line or if there's a long line, while in line.

Nope, not at WalMart, I won't shop there anymore.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Don't pay her any attention. I see nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm a SAHM, and figure that since I'm not actually earning money, my contribution to the household is to save as much as I can when I'm shopping for what we need. I was so excited last night when I went to the grocery store - before my coupons and instant rebates, the bill was $169; after everything was applied, it came to just under $40! I practically danced out of the store!

I love it when I can get my total done really low like that. The best I've ever done was $150-some worth of stuff, and my total was $6 and some change. That was a really awesome day.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

How do we determine from the OP's post that:

1) the lady was a snob

2) they are in debt/spend over their means/can't save a dime

3) that she is a credit card lovin tush

There's obviously no way of knowing 2 or 3, but I think it's obvious that she was a snob.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I am a coupon nut, and I love it.

When I get the supermarket sale pamphlets in my newspaper, I sit down and make my list for groceries for the week, then I look at all the sales and see who has what on sale that match my list, then I go thru my coupons to see what matches, It takes about a half of an hour and I can save at least $20-$30 a week off my groceries. If something is on sale and its not on my list, it would have to be a really good deal for me to buy it.

Now I would love to save 75%, how do you do it?

And as for that lady behind you in line, she doesnt know what she's missing, more money saved in groceries is more money for Disney and other fun things.

I do pretty much the same thing as you. I check and see what's on sale, and then figure out what I have coupons for. I also buy mutiple papers, usually just two a week, three is the coupons are really good, so I can stock up when stuff's on sale. Living alone, I don't need to stock up that much, so two or three of an item is usually enough. I plan my meals around the sales also.

And any overage I get from coupons, I put towards meat. Even though there are occasionally meat coupons sometimes. I buy most of my produce at a local farmer's market during the spring and summer, that's the only thing I don't use coupons for, that and gourmet cheese.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The woman was rude. I don't use coupons as much as I should when I grocery shop but I do use them when we eat out. There is no embarassment in using them. I even return my cans and bottles when most people I know just throw them in the trash. To me that is just like throwing money in the trash. We are frugal and can take 2 vacations a year. Perhaps because we use coupons and return cans?

If I lived in a state that I could get a nickle for every can I turned in I would do it too. With all the coke I drink I'd be rich, LOL.

 

[kc10family]

Speaking of free toilet paper, there were some free Marcal toilet paper coupons in the paper some weeks ago. DH comes home the other day with 30 rolls of toilet paper. He announces proudly; "I have used coupons and will now make a toilet paper fort."

LOVE IT!!!

We are moving away from the wharehouse thing and back to clipping more (DH doesn't know this yet because he has been gone for 6 months) but coupons are back in our way of life and wharehouses are for some things now.... not all things.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Lady behind me: "I'd be embarrassed to show my face in public if I used that many coupons"

Me: "Lady....if I were you, I'd be embarrassed to show my face in public AT ALL."

 

[Jaycey'smom]

I also do never get embarrased. Alot of times the cashier does not know how to ring up the B/O get one free coupons or the Free coupons and the people behind me look at me like i am holding up the line. I just smile and wait for the cashier to figure it out or call someone that can. I usually will only use coupons if it is BO get one free or over $.50.

 

[mskani]

On last night's episode of Wife Swap, one of the moms was an AVID coupon clipper/user. She had a binder full of coupons and after every shopping trip, she would post the receipt on the fridge.

I truly admire people who coupon religiously. I am inspired by all of you and will try to plan meals and shop accordingly. Summer is here and the kids will be around more. The grocery bill is getting ready to skyrocket and I need to be prepared!!

 

[minnie1928]

And, unfortunately, the only was to be sure that we will be able to continue to use coupons in the future is if the manufacturers keep putting them out there for us. And they won't do that if we abuse coupon use.

Buying coupons is illegal.

If you want to get more coupons, get a few extra newspapers on Sundays or join a coupon train/swap with other people who use coupons. You'll have plenty of coupons, and won't need to try and "buy" them from somewhere else.

I have never, ever "bought" coupons and I have enough FREE toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry soap and body wash stocked in my basement to last until Jesus comes back!

I see the cost of "buying" coupons as the cost of their service...not for the actual coupon itself. Regardless, there have been weeks when I would buy multiple papers when it made it worthwhile. But lately that hasn't been the case. I'm not going to buy extra papers to get 1 or 2 of the coupons that I really want. By ordering them online I can get exactly the coupons I'm looking for at less cost.

For example, I wanted 10 Marcal coupons for free tissues/rolls of TP. 10 newspapers would have cost me $15. I ordered them online for about $1.

I also stockpile as you do, and at the end of the year I donate my excess to local organizations to distribute to the needy. That way everyone wins!

 

[kacaju]

A few months ago one of our stores had triple coupons (up to 99 cents). I went in there will all of my coupons that were under a $1 and my dd9 and I went to town. It was a store I don't normally shop in because their prices are higher then my normal store.
We price compared and took our time. We came out with a savings of 58% on our bill, final bill was around $150.
Not only did the person behind me think that was awesome, the couple behind him, who we happen to know were very impressed.

Kepp up the good work!!

 

[WDWCastMember]

I always use coupons, and I'm like the OP, I'll take as many as I can to the store, and use them to save money for anything and everything. What's wrong with saving money?! And if some people find it annoying or whatever, then heck, let them pay for my stuff full price, right?! I mean come on, if they don't need to clip coupons, the God Bless them, I do and I think everyone else does too!!!

And just a thought...I wonder if 'that witch' goes to the DIS freebies link and gets stuff!! LOL ...sorry just had to! Its always people like that who complain and try to embarrass people but they want stuff for free....

I keep using coupons all the time no matter what and thats what matters!

 

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

I see the cost of "buying" coupons as the cost of their service...not for the actual coupon itself. Regardless, there have been weeks when I would buy multiple papers when it made it worthwhile. But lately that hasn't been the case. I'm not going to buy extra papers to get 1 or 2 of the coupons that I really want. By ordering them online I can get exactly the coupons I'm looking for at less cost.
!

That's just the way they get around selling them, by quoting that it is their time and effort, not the coupon that you are buying. Regardless if you see the cost of buying them as just their service, you're still buying the coupons. Would you pay them for their service then say, "Oh I just wanted you to cut up the paper... don't worry about sending the coupons"?

Not trying to be argumentative or anything, but it is illegal. And the law is the law. If and when people DO crack down on it, I don't want to be stuck in the middle. So I choose to obtain mine legally to be safe.

It's just like any other thing that's got a sketchy line between what you are supposed to do and what you aren't supposed to do. Just ask my husband if it's legal to drive 5mph over the speed limit

 

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

MRS. REESE:

I thought I was the only person on earth who knows the tooty ta! My kids request Dr. Jean on a daily basis.

 

[MiMi2Three]

I just finished leading a class at our church on saving money on household expenses. One week was dedicated to couponing. I was very suprised by the low attendance considering the economy and also the fact that my classes were free(there are some local classes on using coupons that cost around $45)

What I discovered is that people wanted the information, they just didn't want anyone to see them in the class. They don't want their friends to know that they are trying to save money????? I gave the information sheets to them, but I wonder if they will even try. What if someone saw them shopping with coupons?