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Nick over at Punny Money decries what he terms the science fiction of coupons:
I acknowledge that coupons exist (much like groundhogs, oak trees, and faeries exist), but I don’t believe that using them religiously is a good way to save money.
In particular, Nick complains that:
- Coupons make people buy things they don’t need.
- Coupons are rarely the best option for saving money.
- Coupon-clipping is not worth the time.
He is going to try clipping coupons for thirty days, but is skeptical that it will yield results.
I think he’ll be surprised.
It’s true that coupon shoppers need to be careful not to buy things that they otherwise would avoid, but for the most part coupons are a valuable tool in the frugality arsenal.
My wife and I use coupons at several local stores. She is a master of grocery store discounts. We often bring a full cart home for $60 or $70. Even the clerks make comments about how much we manage to save. I take advantage of the deals at the local farm store. I check the paper every week to see if there are coupons for the products I purchase: yard tools, plants, clothing. A few times a year, I’m able to use coupons to save $20 or $40 at a time! Together, we clip coupons for the local hardware store. I feel guilty sometimes at how much we save there — we’ve walked out with $40 worth of merchandise for $5.
I’ll wager that the folks at Punny Money will be coupon addicts before the month is out.
This article is about Frugality, Real-Life Friday, 5th May 2006 (by J.D. Roth)
May 5th, 2006 at 11:38 am
I’m a firm believer in coupon clipping. One key, as mentioned, is to buy only what you need. Another key is to save those coupons and save them until the item goes on sale. You’d be amazed at how much stuff you can get for free or nearly free by doing that.
May 5th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
You’re absolutely right. And store coupons that give blanket discounts (through doubling, or for purchasing a set amount) are another key. My wife and I need a better organizational system. We often save coupons for things we use only once in a while, and when it comes time to use the coupon, we find that it expired three months ago!
May 18th, 2006 at 3:52 am
Hello,
Most likely, Punny Money will convert to coupon-hood when he finds out how much money he can save on name brand items. My May 18th post talks about 5 steps to get started with coupons. I’ll suggest my post to Punny Money.
July 26th, 2006 at 11:03 am
I do think it’s true that, if it’s your nature to be a spender, coupons can make you buy things you wouldn’t buy. (It’s the same mentality as shopping for clothes and going, “It’s on sale, so I must need it!”) I tried coupon clipping for a little while, but my husband and I eat organic, local, and whole foods as much as possible, and we eat vegetarian at home. There are very few coupons that work for me: Lunchables or sandwich meat? Nope. But if I end up with any that do–like my Amy’s Organic coupons I got after I wrote to them–I’ll happily use them. I saved $20 yesterday on a gift at Bed, Bath, & Beyond with one of their coupons that they mail out! (I’ve had it 2 months; they stay good a while.)
June 25th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
I collect Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons; I’ve got about 15 right now. I don’t think there’s a limit on how many you can use at once (they are per item only), and the store around here even takes them when they’ve expired. I don’t think I’ve bought any home product full price in 5 years. Combine them with some serious willpower (last time I went I had ten items in my cart, but only ended up buying the three I absolutely needed!) and the savings add up.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 am
[...] them less the more my salary goes up, and time goes down; but they are very good places to find deals to live the frugal way if you’ve got the time! Author: hank Similar Posts:Am I off my [...]