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Coupons Rant
By Mommie | November 19, 2008
I was going to do a video post on this, but honestly, I’m to tired to set up the camera. I’ve been receiving some less than happy feedback on some of my old coupon videos that I’ve done. Basically it’s people who subscribe to the grocery game that must feel the unrequited need to defend it above all costs.
My response is plain and simple. If paying for the grocery game is working for you, by all means, continue to pay for it.
I love the grocery game, or should I say the concept of the grocery game. I stand by the use of coupons paired with in-store sales to receive the absolute best price I can. I love it.
Here’s what I don’t love and if offends more people, by all means, please let me know…
- I cannot justify paying someone money for a service that I can do myself. This is a personal choice. I developed my own price book and track everything by unit price. That’s how I shop. Paying someone to do something I already do is a waste of my money.
- I do not clip every coupon. This fact seemed to make some people think I had no idea what I was doing. Guess what, I don’t have a need for mens shaving cream, so I’m not going to clip that coupon, nor buy that product. This reminds me of an episode of Wipe Swap where this woman bought what was on sale, even if she didn’t need it at all. She didn’t think about her purchases, just bought. Same thing with those that buy products just because they are on sale or they have a coupon. I think you should need or at least see a need in the foreseeable future for that product before purchasing. I know, I’m insane, but honestly I view it as a waste of money to buy products that you don’t need.
- I don’t go off price, I go off of unit price. This seemed to make people mad too. I’m still confused as to why, maybe they just don’t understand the concept. The easiest way I can explain it is would you rather buy 200 napkins for $2.00 or 500 napkins for $2.50. Elementary division tells us that the 500 napkin buy is truly a better value. Even if you have a .50 coupon for the 200 count napkins, guess what, it’s still a better value to buy the 500 without a coupon (.0075 per napkin with the coupon or .001 per napkin just buying the 500 count). Buy how you want, but I’ll have more napkins left over when you’ve been out for a while and I will have paid less.
Yes, this is a rant, mainly because I receive the oddest feedback from people. Trust me, I never thought being frugal would make people so defensive, but so be it.
All in all, I think coupons are definitely the way to go. You can find coupons on anything, including shipping, flowers, even a Nutrisystem coupon if needs be. Online coupons can be a great way to get the coupons if you don’t subscribe to the paper, like me. Just be smart about what you buy. Now is the time to save all you can on groceries, as the cost of them is not decreasing. Be smart about it and you can save a ton!
Topics: Shopping |
November 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
haha unit price is something I actually LEARNED in my high school economics class. They taught us how to read that and yes I always pay attention to that to figure what is the best deal. It’s a very common sense sort of thing to me.
I myself am horrible about using coupons. I’ll clip them but I always forget them. I hate it and wish I had a better memory when I left to go shopping. It’s too late once I’m already at the store. haha
November 19th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I am amazed that people get so upset with people about what they write in a blog. I mean it is your blog and you should by means of the 1st Amendment be able to say whatever.
That said, I do pay for the grocery game. If I had the organizational skills to do it myself I would, I commend you for doing it yourself.
I don’t play “the game” using all the rules but it does end up saving me money and for the things I have to buy that are not on the list I definitely do unit price.