Maybe this is a post better served under the Thoughtful Thursday category, but here it is Friday and I'm feeling impatient on this subject.
I know I'm slow to notice things going on in the world some times, but apparently there is this wild coupon craze these days? I've been seeing more and more ladies with giant binders in lines at stores and they always have loads of coupons when they check out.
I'm perplexed by this whole thing (internally) because on the one hand, I find myself annoyed at the extra time it takes them in the checkout line and therefore, the extra amount of time it takes me. On the other hand, I'm jealous when I watch their totals are like $97 and then after passing over a few pieces of paper their new total is down to like $38. Then I look down at my own hands, wishing I had some of those magic papers that subtracted from the cost, too. (True story, by the way, I was behind a lady with those totals at Target a couple weeks ago. Amazing.)
But alas, no.
My hands are just ... empty. When the register rings up my $97 (or $157 or $257...), I get to pay that. There is no sudden rescue from that total where I breathe a sigh of relief and go, "Wow, that total was $97, but I just saved our family $60!"
I would like that. But I'm so tired already with all the things on my plate.
It just seems like a lot of extra work and I'm not sure I have the bandwidth to figure it out. If any of you -- my readers -- are avid couponers (or whatever the term is for you saving-savvy people is), please pipe and and tell me:
1) Is it difficult to get started?
2) Is it really worth it or do you find yourself just buying more stuff you don't need, simply because you have a coupon?
3) How much time does this add to your week?
4) Any other tips you can offer a bewildered, never-couponed, busy mom like me?
Thanks so much.
My sister uses coupons for our family and yes, it really does help! :) I know it's hard to get started because it does take time but just start small and work up.
ReplyDeleteAlso check out Moneysavingmom.com. She has tutorials on couponing!
My sis prob spends a few hours a week for our family of 9.
Pick just one or two stores when you start out. don't do walgreens and rite aid and cvs. Just pick one!
Thank you, Samantha. I'll take a look at the website you sent me!
ReplyDeleteI coupon, but in a very low-key way. I get coupons from the newspaper, the mail, and Target.com, and I use a Hotmail address to sign up for loyalty programs for stores and restaurants I like. I only get coupons for items I actually use, and I don't hoard them to get 100 of that item. :) I don't save as much as those "extreme" ladies, but I still save a little, and I'm happy with that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda. I think if I do find myself "couponing" any time soon, I may do more like that. I'm not sure I have the energy to go crazy with this at this point in life. Binders and five weekend papers, etc. But saving the family some money now and then is never a bad thing. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, couponing is all the rage. I have a few friends who are into it. I think they're actually doing a workshop on it at the women's conference in February (at my work)!
ReplyDeleteSome people have said it doesn't have to take that much time. Now with so many people into it, there are probably a lot of great resources (online and off). You're so organized that you probably would be really good at it. But I agree that some people go a little crazy. I think signing up for some offers online, like the ladies here mentioned), is a good idea.
I've been trying to figure some of the online stuff out because the holidays are a great time for cost-savings for sure. But I don't know that I'll get all organized with it till I can focus after the new year maybe. But if I can just save a few bucks here and there, I'll feel good! Thanks for commenting, Jessica!
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