How do you handle non-couponers snide remarks?

[jspoole]

I have been couponing for years without many comments from others (strangers or friends) but it seems that here in the last year or two non-couponers are really opinonated (sp).

We have a couple at church we are friends with and my husband was talking about my couponing so the husband told me he wanted my help in teaching his wife to coupon, but it was going to be hard because she looked at using coupoons the same way she looks a using food stamps. She doesn't want any part of either of them. She feels it would be embrassing. Well anyway I ran into her at the grocery store and I had my binder, my list and all my coupons pulled for the check out and she rolled her eyes.I told her that her husband wanted us to get together and start clipping coupons. Her reply was "I will talk to him about that when I get home and have to do alot praying before I walk in this store with a handful of coupons"

How do you handle these types of people? I know I even had a lady in the store to huff and mumble about me with those stupid coupons and how she did not have time for that mess. Then just so happens I get in the check out line behind her and low and behold she wipes out the food stamp card. It seems to me if you are on food stamps you would be tring to make them go as far as possible, because hey the lady in your way with all the coupons are paying for your groceries and hers.

 

[Sarahlovy]

If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.

 

[angierae]

"Well, if you decide you're interested, you know where to find me."

And leave it at that.

 

[bettymae1121]

I have been couponing for years without many comments from others (strangers or friends) but it seems that here in the last year or two non-couponers are really opinonated (sp).

We have a couple at church we are friends with and my husband was talking about my couponing so the husband told me he wanted my help in teaching his wife to coupon, but it was going to be hard because she looked at using coupoons the same way she looks a using food stamps. She doesn't want any part of either of them. She feels it would be embrassing. Well anyway I ran into her at the grocery store and I had my binder, my list and all my coupons pulled for the check out and she rolled her eyes.I told her that her husband wanted us to get together and start clipping coupons. Her reply was "I will talk to him about that when I get home and have to do alot praying before I walk in this store with a handful of coupons"

How do you handle these types of people? I know I even had a lady in the store to huff and mumble about me with those stupid coupons and how she did not have time for that mess. Then just so happens I get in the check out line behind her and low and behold she wipes out the food stamp card. It seems to me if you are on food stamps you would be tring to make them go as far as possible, because hey the lady in your way with all the coupons are paying for your groceries and hers.

Well, I get her wanting to talk to her DH if he's trying to get her to do something she just flat out isn't interested in (using coupons). But what on earth does she need to pray on it for? What an odd response.

In general though, I'd just say something like "Well, using coupons isn't for everyone as it takes time and effort, but it really works well for our family. We use the savings from coupons for X". And X can be donating to charity, saving for college for the kids, saving for vacations, saving for retirement, etc. Either the lightbulb goes off over their head at that point or it doesn't.

 

[sydneysmom]

I guess I'd just laugh and say, "well, it's not so funny when you see how much you save every week!"

I had a lady behind me on line at Kroger, and the woman was running my coupons through and the lady says to me "my gosh, you use coupons ! I never met anyone that actually used them before". I was STUNNED. Honestly, I didn't know what to say.... she made me feel like some animal in the zoo and I was like this extinct breed. It was humiliating.

But after it was all done, the checkout girl said to that woman, " It's kind of cool to see someone save $98 on their food shopping bill ". Now that girl was sweet. The woman just kind of stood there and didn't know what to say. But yes, it's horrid when people make you feel like you're on food stamps or something.

When I told my DH, he said, "who cares what these people think? You just saved $98.... you're going to let someone make you feel like crap about THAT??". Nope, I'm not.

Just look at these people with a smile and say "have a nice day" !!! Because some of us actually appreciate the value of a dollar and cannot throw it away.

 

[DawnM]

Well, you could certainly print out some scripture verses on money and on humility to hand her!

 

[DawnM]

Seriously, I really don't care what others think of me....esp. when they whine about all their debt!

 

[azdizzymom]

Why as an adult are you concerned what another person or anyone else thinks of you using coupons? I would just not even give it a second thought or say anything to anyone. It is your business and I honestly wouldn't worry about any 'snide' comment. I'd just ignore it and not even respond. I wouldn't stoop to their level and act like the adult in the matter and ignore it...you don't need to justify why you use coupons. That is great that you are saving the money and take the time to do the lists, get all the coupons, etc. Some people don't have time to do this or don't want to. I'd just ignore them...I wouldn't quote scriptures or say I'll pray for you like she did or anything. Just be the bigger person and ignore....why worry about it. Not worth it.

Congrats on the great coupon savings! Wish I had the time and energy to do it like you do!

 

[horseshowmom]

I'm like the others. It wouldn't bother me at all. The more of my money I hold onto the better I like it. They're welcome to spend theirs as they see fit, but every penny I save is money that can go for something else that I want.

As far as the church friend, I probably wouldn't have brought the subject up at all since her husband had already indicated that she had an attitude about it. I would have left it up to him to discuss with her and let her come to me if she was interested (and I don't think she is ).

 

[kahblue]

The lady from church: tell her you are being a good steward of the money the Lord has given you. Using coupons and spending less money in that area allows you to give more to charity, missions, etc. That's how I look at it!

 

[princessmom29]

I am getting backlash in the opposite direction.

I personally don't care for cuponing. Quite frankly my time is worth more than the cupons these days as tightly as it is stretched. I don't have a problem with others doing it, but my mom, who doesn't work and doesn't have small children, gives me grief about not clipping cupons and running to 3 of 4 different stores to shop sales. She spends hours on it every week, and they are hours I just don't have to spare. Frankly it is not worth the $20-30 a week it saves her for me. I would have to hire a housekeeper to keep my house up.

 

[LaDonna]

I've had people say rude things in the checkout line, and it bothers me mostly because I feel it is so judgemental, they don't know what is going on in my life. So I normally say something like "I'm sorry this bothers you so much but my husband just lost his job and I'm having a hard time finding the money to feed my kids" That usually shuts them up real fast

 

[leadfootlevi]

I had some hoochie-coochie couple behind me when I was doing a price match at Walmart on coffee laughing at me. I just ignored them. I saved $2 per bag of coffee. I don't know why people think it's humiliating to go through perfectly legal, store authorized ways to save money. I think it's silly ridiculous if you don't. But, I don't laugh at people for not - to each their own. Ignore, move on!

 

[QVCshopper]

I really don't care what other people think. I pick up coins left behind on the ground, in vending machines, etc. and one older man said I should give it back to the place I found it. Yeah, not happening. It goes into my kids' bank. I find at least $5 a month; last weekend alone I found over $7. It's like a hobby to me.

Everyone has opinions about everything, and everyone thinks their opinion is the right one. I coupon a little, but I also don't want to spend the time on it like some people. To each their own. I do fairly well buying generics (Wegamsn brand is great) but I coupon/rebate the great deals. I also love thrift stores/tag sales, even though most of my friends practically faint at the mention.

I think the real issue here is her DH is trying to push her into something she doesn't want to do. Not your problem. Just clip away, enjoy your savings, and move on.

 

[tlbwriter]

I wouldn't bring it up again. Her husband is pushing her to do it, she doesn't want to do it, and you don't want to get in the middle of that. If he asks you to teach her, tell him "I'm here if she'd like to ask me any questions" and let her come to you if/when she changes her mind.

 

[Leader of the Club]

I recently handed my cashier at Kroger about 20 coupons when checking out. I got a big sigh and eye roll. She said, "Oh great. this going to take forever."

I replied, "its a good thing you get paid by the hour. Now, unless you want to pay for my groceries, do your job."

Needless to say, I did not make a friend. And I'm just witchy enough that when I have a bunch of coupons, I always go thru her lane--and give her a big smile. Funny, she never smiles back.

 

[miztressuz]

"Oh good, more coupons for me. May I have yours then?"

I maybe spend 2.5 hours a week (if that) and when I shop the sales I save 40-50% off regular price between the sale and coupons. I'm not an extreme couponer by any stretch - my personal best was $30 bucks off in just coupons, but that's $30 in my pocket. For me I have 5 grocery stores in a 5 mile radius (sick isn't it?) so going to multiple stores is not an inconvenience, however, for others it's not worth the time or gas. I totally appreciate that, defeats the purpose of coupons if you spend $1.50 in gas to save $.40. So I don't say anything to them and they, normally, don't say anything to me.

But I have no shame, so if you don't want your coupons I'll gladly take them and take more money for Disney For some it's a social status and they can hang out on that high horse as much as they want, it's not going to bother me one bit. Generally the people who feel the need to mention it have issues themselves and need the validation of "putting you down" to elevate themselves. If that's what they need, I'm ok letting them cuz I'm perfectly happy with myself and my life.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I have been couponing for years without many comments from others (strangers or friends) but it seems that here in the last year or two non-couponers are really opinonated (sp).

We have a couple at church we are friends with and my husband was talking about my couponing so the husband told me he wanted my help in teaching his wife to coupon, but it was going to be hard because she looked at using coupoons the same way she looks a using food stamps. She doesn't want any part of either of them. She feels it would be embrassing. Well anyway I ran into her at the grocery store and I had my binder, my list and all my coupons pulled for the check out and she rolled her eyes.I told her that her husband wanted us to get together and start clipping coupons. Her reply was "I will talk to him about that when I get home and have to do alot praying before I walk in this store with a handful of coupons"

.

I think the problem here is not so much the couponing, but the fact that this lady's dh is trying to push her into doing something that she clearly does not wish (for whatever reasons) to do. He's not respecting her IMO. So, she is going to have a bad attitude about it. I don't think there is anything you can say to her that will help it-it's really a problem with them two.

 

[kathie859]

And don't care a fig what anyone else thinks. I don't care what the cashier thinks (though most are game to run them thru--I've never had a cashier make a snarky comment); nor what other customers think or anyone else for that matter! For me, I spend <1 hour per week and save 25-35% on my grocery bill. Occasionally, I'll make a huge "stock up" trip if I have some good coupons and save more. FWIW--I don't have the financial NEED to be economical but it's just common sense to get things for the cheapest price. How dumb are people to pay more out of some misguided idea that not using coupons makes them better/smarter/wealthier?

 

[DawnM]

Oh, I am completely opposite! I have one cashier I just love because she has the status to override if necessary (for some reason our local store always has computer glitches) and she encourages me by saying what a good job I am doing saving!

I avoid eye rollers.

I recently handed my cashier at Kroger about 20 coupons when checking out. I got a big sigh and eye roll. She said, "Oh great. this going to take forever."

I replied, "its a good thing you get paid by the hour. Now, unless you want to pay for my groceries, do your job."

Needless to say, I did not make a friend. And I'm just witchy enough that when I have a bunch of coupons, I always go thru her lane--and give her a big smile. Funny, she never smiles back.