My wife has recently taken up the new "hobby" of coupons. Now this is a rather elaborate hobby and I must say I approve. The knock on couponing is that the prices are marked up so you do not save or that they are not for things you would want.
I have noted the following:
- My wife is getting stuff very cheap. There are strategies to use. (I have seen her pick up about $140.00 worth of stuff for about $30.00.)
- Frequently we do end up with products or food stuffs we have not used or tried before. That is fine. It gets us to try new things. This is one reason they provide coupons.
- Admittedly we are getting some things we do not need today. However, When my wife gets for bottles of Laundry detergent at a rock bottom price we know we will use it eventually. I have a stack of new razors - The way she worked the coupons they were free or part of an overall purchase strategy with some other products that provided a huge savings.
- I have cautioned her that it does not make sense to drive 10 miles to save $1.00. She knows this. However, she plans her shopping trips well in advance and hits several stores, most often for many items. I think she actually enjoys getting out of the house and away from the kids so it is not like work - work.
- It takes a lot of planning and organization. My wife puts a lot of time into it. However, it is like a game for her, just like Active Rain is somewhat of a "game" for me. But it is a game with a real payoff. She does not seem to be wasting as much time on Farmville which I found irritating.
- We buy 4 copies of the same paper on Sundays to get the coupons.
- Our position is challenging. We have 6 kids and money is tight. My wife has considered going back to work but with the cost of child care and the cost to our family the money she would earn would probably not make a difference in our situation. The couponing is a big help.
I am considering having her write some post on the subject.
Is anyone else doing this?
Gene~ Your wife is a smart lady! Does she do the Grocery Game? Sounds like she probably does, but google it if she hasn't heard of it. This reminds me of the show "Extreme Couponing" Even if you get more things than you need, you can always donate some items if they are free!
Great post Gene. I am currently horrible at couponing, although when my kids were younger I used them all the time. A big thing here in Las Cruces is our paper has a "daily deal" that offers an item or service for at least 50% off. I use these all the time. For instance I recently purchased $100 of dry cleaning for only $50, and $50 at our favorite restaurant for only $25.
We have used coupons for a long time. My son saves alot with the groupon coupon the website of your local TV Station or newspaper. He lives in Honolulu and saves alot at restaurants and tries new places too. Here in La Quinta, we use the specials provided at Happy Hours and share 'good value' tips like Tues. discounts for seniors at Ross.
I did try coupons a long time ago. I gave up partly for the reasons you have already outlined and also because I got a job. Also, shopping is not my favorite thing to do.
These days eating out is not even in site. This is just groceries and things. Ok the Carl's Jr. Coupons are pretty good.
Gene,
I have heard of couponing but do not know of anyone that is doing it. Good for your wife to try and save some money for your family! I used to cut out a few coupons from the newspapers, but would get to the supermarket and found that I forgot them at home. Thanks!
Gene,
I would be interested in reading her posts! We all need to save money!
Gene - I use coupons, maybe not to the extent that your wife does but I only use the ones for stuff that we actually use. I do occasionally buy something we've never tried before if it's on sale. I also only use the ones for the stores that I actually shop at but will occasionally use the ones for restaurants though. Hubby and I don't get out much either so if we can save a little money when we do, that's great.
Hi Gene, I haven't been using coupons as much as I used to years ago. You are right, it takes time planning and organizing and I just haven't had that extra time. I still look through the Sunday paper though for coupons on items that we use, now, if I can only remember taking them with me to the store... :-)
Yes, let her write a post about it, or you could interview her! I am horrible at shopping, worse at coupons. I would prefer to eat cereal every day if it meant I didn't have to step foot in a grocery store....
There are tons of resources available depending on what you are looking for - some free, some not. I work for SavingsAngel so this is admittedly biased but thousands of families across the country welcome the help we provide each week.