How do you handle non-couponers snide remarks?

[GinnyEmma]

I am trying to figure out how you buy a Lexus with 200 a month in savings from coupons. It is either a really old or bottom of the line Lexus. My truck costs more than some Lexus' do, I don't coupon. I am very unimpressed with what anyone drives. It is a mode of transportation and being in FL, the only thing I require in AC, other than that I couldn't care less.

Exactly. We have 5 drivers with cars and no payments because that is what works for us. Lol, none are lexus'. Not my style. We are quite content with our hondas. Our house isn't a million dollar home, but that would be ostentatious in our area. It's paid for, though, and has enough land surrounding for me to have my veggie, flower and herb gardens. I'm sure it wouldn't be the choice of miss Lexus, lol.

I suspect much if that $200 savings is on stuff we don't use. Thrifty has nothing to do with coupons or no coupons.

As long as people aren't trying to push through old coupons, and slow down the grocery line, all the more power to them.

 

[TaraPA]

Whoa! Back up! I think most of you took my post out of context! I'm very sorry for that. I started reading the earlier posts where people were starting to put down couponers as wasting their time in line, or just buying things they wouldn't use anyway, "just" to say they used coupons. It took some of the posts as snarky towards couponers & I came here to defend those of us that choose to do it, and to say that it absolutely can be done effectively to buy nice things!!! In no way was I trying to say that couponers have nicer things or anything like that. I buy lots of stuff with my coupon savings. I buy most of it used at the Thrift store so I certainly don't feel that material things define me. I was just pointing out the 2 things of value that I have, that I have worked hard, saved AND couponed for. Sorry if it came off as one-uppish! I just didn't like that some posts (and maybe I took them out of context - easy to do) were insinuating that couponers were poor, cheap & unworthy of taking up time & space. That many couponers were trying to cheat the system in some way. Couponing is NOT for everyone - but don't knock those of us that do it responsibly. I noticed that somene removed/edited some of the earlier posts - I had read them early this morning & now they seem to have disappeared, those are some of the ones I'm mostly referring to.

I also said of course it took a few years to save for the vehicle. It was all coupon savings (and online shopping rebates & survey payouts) but it was done. I chose that type of vehicle because it was a dream truck for me. Just like the waitresses dream car was her Corvette. Your dream vehicle might be something else, but I'm sure you'd be proud of it too if you got it all with coupon savings.

 

[si-am]

I think the over-the-top couponers (the ones who get a bajillion of the same items using a bajillion coupons for each one, or the ones who do multiple transactions) give "average" couponers a bad name.

I use coupons-- enough to save about $5 a week on groceries, but it really irritates me to be behind someone doing really complicated multiple-transaction shopping.

 

[GinnyEmma]

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

Because lying is such a better character trait?

 

[bernmutt]

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

Very good advice- spares the rest of us from bad attitudes!

 

[momof2intx]

I try only to shop at my local Kroger. They pretty much know that if I'm in their line, they're getting a stack of coupons. they never give me a hard time and actually congratulate me on my savings.

I got my sis-in-law to start couponing and my mom, although she only uses some here and there. And when my coworkers saw a picture of my binders they said I was crazy, but when they heard how much I save and everything I get for free....they say "teach me! take me shopping with you!"

When I can feed my growing family of 4 for ony $60 a week average, it is a far cry from the $175-$200 a week I used to spend. Now we use the savings to take family trips.....like the one we have coming in 4 weeks!

If someone wants to pay full price for their shopping, that's fine with me. I just never will!

 

[Missy1961]

I use coupons all the time, just like my mom did. And I have never had anyone complain, roll their eyes, or comment about it. In fact, I've had cashiers say to me "wow, you just saved a lot of money." And I live in a suburb of NYC, where the people are supposed to always be in a rush & are rude. Where do you live that this rudeness happens to you?

 

[TaraPA]

Because lying is such a better character trait?

Where did she say that was a lie? You assumed it.

"Starting with a nasty assumption seldomly ends well" and that is a quote you made in another post. It is quite possible that her DH did just lose his job & she is struggling to feed her kids.

 

[ladypage]

I don't do much couponing myself, but when I do I always seem to get backlash from others. I just don't get it.

I will say though, sometimes I feel anger towards coupon users who seems to have a coupon for everything in their cart, which happens to be full. If the store has a way to handle it, that's fine, but when every single coupon has to be checked off by a manager, and the line is ten people long, I get extremely frustrated, as do many others. Perhaps people have more experiences with this than what most would consider "normal" couponers. Just something to think about.

 

[TaraPA]

I don't do much couponing myself, but when I do I always seem to get backlash from others. I just don't get it.

I will say though, sometimes I feel anger towards coupon users who seems to have a coupon for everything in their cart, which happens to be full. If the store has a way to handle it, that's fine, but when every single coupon has to be checked off by a manager, and the line is ten people long, I get extremely frustrated, as do many others. Perhaps people have more experiences with this than what most would consider "normal" couponers. Just something to think about.

I don't really see that "extreme couponing" around here like on the TV show or as explained above (where they have coupons for every item that have to be over-ridden by the manager) - that would irritate me too & I'm an avid couponer. It's the norm to get rude comments, stares, gestures, etc. though where I shop. I'm glad to hear that many have not experienced it where they go.

I will say I watched the new show, bits & pieces of a few episodes, and I didn't walk away from it thinking I learned anything new. I almost felt embarrassed for a few of them - the ones that had the attitude of "I'll screw the store because they have their prices high already, or I'll get them to pay me hahahaha" - or the ones who have to call ahead to make sure the store is stocked with 150 boxes of Raisin Bran becuase they have that many coupons. I don't really get that. I only use coupons for items I'd normally be getting anyway - otherwise what's the point? I will say I've purchased a few items with coupons (that were also on sale) that I don't use - if there was a food drive or something like that, where I could donate the items, but to stock pile doesn't make much sense to me. To each their own.

 

[TaraPA]

Oh and ladypage - LOVE your pic of Marie! She's a favorite in this house!

 

[mhsjax]

I don't really see that "extreme couponing" around here like on the TV show or as explained above (where they have coupons for every item that have to be over-ridden by the manager) - that would irritate me too & I'm an avid couponer. It's the norm to get rude comments, stares, gestures, etc. though where I shop. I'm glad to hear that many have not experienced it where they go.

I will say I watched the new show, bits & pieces of a few episodes, and I didn't walk away from it thinking I learned anything new. I almost felt embarrassed for a few of them - the ones that had the attitude of "I'll screw the store because they have their prices high already, or I'll get them to pay me hahahaha" - or the ones who have to call ahead to make sure the store is stocked with 150 boxes of Raisin Bran becuase they have that many coupons. I don't really get that. I only use coupons for items I'd normally be getting anyway - otherwise what's the point? I will say I've purchased a few items with coupons (that were also on sale) that I don't use - if there was a food drive or something like that, where I could donate the items, but to stock pile doesn't make much sense to me. To each their own.

I see no reason for rude stares or comments about using coupons. Now those people on TV, yeah, I would probably string them up by their toes, but the average coupon user shouldn't be a problem.

People are rude, I get that. I only go to the store at certain times, because people are nicer. Other times you get a certain personality that just doesn't sit right with me. Those are probably the same people that give off attitude about using coupons.

 

[snowy76]

I find some of the same people who get snooty about using coupons will be the first I see lined up for a big sale at Macy's or Lord and Taylor - or even at Marshalls looking for a bargain! How on earth that's any different is beyond me.

 

[momof2intx]

I don't do much couponing myself, but when I do I always seem to get backlash from others. I just don't get it.

I will say though, sometimes I feel anger towards coupon users who seems to have a coupon for everything in their cart, which happens to be full. If the store has a way to handle it, that's fine, but when every single coupon has to be checked off by a manager, and the line is ten people long, I get extremely frustrated, as do many others. Perhaps people have more experiences with this than what most would consider "normal" couponers. Just something to think about.

I always have a full cart and a coupon for everything in it. My store does a great job and it goes quickly.

If you're in a hurry, I wouldn't get in line behind someone with a full cart....coupons or no coupons. I don't do that if Im not prepared to wait. God bless the self checkout machines!