Thoughts on this Frugal Lifestyle of Mine…
I’ve received so many emails lately from readers regarding Target issues and other coupon problems they’ve been encountering. Some even mention throwing in the towel and just giving up. I feel bad when I hear these stories, especially when they come from newbie couponers.
When I first began this frugal journey, well, there were a few times when I almost gave up on using coupons altogether. My main reason for getting discouraged–dealing with those not so coupon friendly cashiers! There were a couple times I actually left the store in tears. I know, I know, I’m on the sensitive side. Over time, though, I’ve realized that I’m NOT doing anything wrong! In fact, I’m doing everything right! I’m helping my family live on one income easily, I get to stay home with my kiddos, I’m teaching them the value of a dollar and so much more! There’s nothing wrong with using coupons and saving money! Do NOT let anyone tell you differently!
I have a memory that I swear will probably never leave me. My hubby and I were checking out at the grocery store (with of course a pile of coupons). There was a line forming behind us, so I said politely to the young guy directly behind us, “I’m sorry this is taking so long.” He looked at me and stated, “Don’t worry, we’ve all been there before, we’ve all been there.” I wanted to say been where?, but instead I turned around and smiled at my hubby, who smiled back at me (we were thinking the exact same thing).
What were we thinking—What a misconception people have! I find it quite funny that some people really do think that the only reason we use coupons is because we HAVE too! If we don’t we’ll lose our homes, be on the streets… BUT that’s just not the case! I don’t have to use coupons. I choose this way of living! I have more money in the bank, NO debt, we’ve been able to save for vacations… And the best part, like I said above–I get to stay home with my kiddos! We really do lead a great life, a life filled with way more than I could have ever expected. Being frugal does NOT put a stop to all that life has to offer. I think it does the opposite, opens your eyes to even more…
For all you new couponers out there, I hope you don’t get discouraged like I did! Don’t let other people bring you down for wanting to save money! Keep on truckin’, because I promise it will be well worth it! I never anticipated how amazing this frugal journey of mine would become and now, well, it has surpassed all my expectations and I can guarantee it will for you too!
Hi Collin,
My mom has used coupons for as long as I can remember. Like many of my fellow couponers, I turn to your site for information that helps my immediate family as well as extended family and friends. I have experienced such joy as I work towards being a good steward of our finances and able to give to others who are in need all due to the information that I receive from your blog. My work situation may be changing in a few weeks, and to be honest I’m anxious about it, but I know that I have a good handle on it due to all that I have learned from your blog and the friendly comments left by fellow couponers.
THANK YOU!
I had a terrible experience at Target this week as well. I used some of the $1 Target coupons to buy the single serve General Mills cereal cups (making them free), 3 Glade soy candles (free offer from Glade), amongst some other items that were either free after coupon or less than 0.99 each. I was questioned by the cashier about the cereal coupons and told that they were for the boxes of cereal and I pointed out that there was not size specified. Then I had to explain this to the Team Leader who in turn called out the manager. He looked at the coupons and very angrily said let her use the coupons. The cashier proceeded to check me out and the Team Leader went back to the manager to question the coupons again. By the time she came back, I had already paid for my first transaction. She got angry saying that I could only use one coupon per transaction. I told her that they could have the cereal back and she told me to just keep it. Then we moved on to scanning my second order which included 4 Rimmel Mascaras along with other items. The computer didn’t want to scan these coupons, so a different manager came out and immediately started attacking me. His first comment was “Is this the one with the cereal coupons?” I said yes and explained that I had already paid, but I would be more than willing to give the cereal back. He told me no and then said (with an exteme amount of anger and attitude) “What is your problem now?” I told him that to talk to his cashier because their system didn’t want to scan my coupons. He then started checking all of my bags and reading the fine print to make sure that I had bought the correct items. He than told me that I could purchase the 4 mascara, but that I could only use 1 coupon because it stated “1 item per purchase”. I explained that I was “purchasing” 4 and that I could use 4 coupons. He then told me “you are trying to cheat the system”. I asked him how I was cheating the system and why were they treating me like I was a criminal when everything I was doing with the coupons was completely legitimate. He said that “purchase” and “transaction” are the same thing and I argued that they were completely different. He then told me “I keep explaining this to you, but you just don’t seem to get it”. He then said (again very rudely) “So what is it that you want?” I told him that I wanted to purchase the items that I came in to their store to buy. His response was “So basically you want everything for free!” I asked him “Don’t you get reimbursed by the manufacturer?” He told me “sometimes”, but they take a loss sometimes too, like when people like me take advantage. I told him I wasn’t doing anything wrong and he didn’t know Target’s coupon policy. He told me that Target’s policy is that they will only accept one manufacturer coupon of a kind per transaction. I then said I would do separate transactions and he told me “I wouldn’t let you do that”. He also said they were going to be writing up cashiers for accepting more coupons than they were supposed to. I am not sure what this guy’s problem was, but I am in the process of contacting their corporate office. I am also going to contact the Better Business Bureau about their customer service practices and will be contacting my local news station to do a story on how Target customers are treated by their staff, especially manager. This will definitely not deter me from using coupons, but I am pretty certain I won’t be going back to this store any time soon.
Thanks so much! I love this site! I only wish that we had some of the same stores here in Las Vegas…no Super Target or Rite Aid. And, K-mart is NOT doubling coupons here. BOO! But, I am so happy to have found this awesome and very helpful site!
Thanks so much for this encouraging post!
Boy is this post hitting home!!!! I had the worst experience last evening at the Target in Hodgkins, Illinois. I dropped my boys of at the movies and thought I would do some power shopping. To make a long story short, the CSM was so snotty and down right ignorant. She even questioned me by saying “weren’t you in here earlier today?” I replied “NO” and asked her what she was implying. The CSM did not respond. I talked to the store manager as I was leaving the store and she was very apologetic. The store manager stated they have seen a lot of fraudulent coupons. The CSM really made me feel like I was doing something wrong. I am definitely calling corporate because I don’t feel the store manager was going to talk to the CSM (the CSM was much older than the store manager)…
I think it is funny that people this that I HAVE to use coupons. I don’t have to, I want to. I have a great life too and my husband and I are so blessed. I have met
some really great people doing this and some real jerks. It is the hunt for me. It is like finding that one toy at Christmas that no one else can get but me. I love doing this. I hate paying full price for anything. I tell everyone that I run into about this website; even the cashiers at the stores. I started teaching coupons class out of my home and my friends all think it is amazing what you can do with coupons. Thank you for all that you do and your devotion to this. You are my hero!!!!
Lisa
I wouldn’t doubt if Target stops taking coupons all together. They give you such a problem. I was there today and tried to use the cheerios coupon on the bowls and they wouldn’t take it. Then on top of that, the cashier lost one of my coupons after I saw that one of my coupons did not get rung up. Then I went to Walmart and didn’t have a problem. Even got overage.
Go Girl!!!!
Thanks so much 4sharing your thoughts about using coupons yes, sometimes you can’t avoid having issues for those “lovely cashiers” trying to embarass and disrespect you.. infront of others 🙁 just because you use coupons and you saved a lot…
Now, i know i’m not the only one…
thanks to everyone of you!
Newbie couponer.
I’m not sure if its the area where I live or that I just haven’t encountered any coupon haters but its usually a weekly occurance that someone stops me in the store to comment on my coupon binder. And it is always positive! My K-Mart has nicknamed me the “binder girl” and are always friendly and excited to see what my total is. The only bad experience I have ever had was at Target last week when I was using the Glade candle coupons. Buy 1 holder get one refill pack for free. They would not let me use the $1.50 off of the holder and said it was coupon fraud. I called corporate and they are sending me something in the mail. Not sure what it is but I’m not going to let it get me down because I save so much at other stores. And really, it was only one location that gave me problems.
I first want to say I follow this blog daily, and several times. Your blog is the ONLY blog that has updates daily, and sometimes even throughout the day. Seriously, your blog is at the VERY top of my favorites, really. Second, I have to tell you, you are right about the misconception of coupons. I have always been a coupon user. Why? Becuase I know the value of a dollar. People are so surprised to see that I use coupons. I have been married 20 years and have never had to get a job outside the home. My husband makes $150.000 a year. We live in a very nice home (appraisal value $400.000) We travel and go on really neat family vacations. Stay at really nice resorts. And yes, I am a proud couponer! It is great to save so much and stock up. I love bargains, but we all know that sometimes you do have to pay full price for things you need at the moment, and have to have, or just simply want them. That’s what makes it so great, when you save and stretch your dollar, you have more to spend elsewhere. It is great to see my kids learning this, and always asking me before they leave the house “Mom, do you have a coupon for ___?” They have leaarned the value of a dollar, and how when you save and spend smart, your money goes further. If I won the lottery tomorrow, It wouldn’t change me. I would be a frugal millionaire living and exotic life, being frugal a long the way!
I have been really lucky lately and it almost seems as if the cashiers are getting better. . . if not because of training then maybe because of more practice in todays economy. I also notice a lot more people doing the same thing that I am doing, and it’s fun to share secrets while shopping. I am loving the couponing deals lately. Thanks for all that you do Hip to Save.
Amen to this post! I too do not HAVE to, and even chuckle to myself at the way I am “treated” sometimes. I had a neat experience at Walmart….apologized to the guy behind me, who ended up being a single school (Math) teacher…and he was doing the numbers in his head. He then asked, where does he get a paper to get Q’s and was impressed with it all.. Yay!
let me just say that i actually left h0lding tears back as i left target today. i had the worst experience ever. they didnt let me use some coupons because they said the items would be free. they made me feel like i was stupid and didnt know what i was doing. i argued for like 5 minutes with them before i gave up. what can i do in a situation like this. im kind of new at couponing.
Hey, just wanted to say that I have an awesome Target that loves to see me come in b/c they know I’m going to save a ton — and that I’m doing it the right way. I try to find a really nice cashier and then stick with her and always go thru her checkout line. They see that you are not cheating the system and that what you are doing is perfectly okay. Then they look forward to helping you. Keep trying if you are getting a jerk cashier. Most of them don’t know what they are doing since their position has a very high turnover ratio, but keep trying. Find that good one who understands that you are not a crook and are smarter than average for trying to save a ton of money. I saved around $65 in there tonight b/c of coupons. And the cashier girl loved it. Sometimes they even clap for me!
I’ve said before on this site,that if you get greedy it spoils it for everyone else.Who needs 4 mascaras
Maybe she just wants to stock up so she never has to bu them at full or maybe for gift bags or birthday gifts for teenage girls does it really matter why
Woah last Anonymous poster…what if the person that got the 4 mascaras has 4 daughters, or is giving the 4 mascaras to friends?? What business of it is your how many mascaras a person buys? If she had 4 coupons then that is not being greedy. I think you are just trying to start trouble and possibly have a personal issue with the person that got the 4 mascaras.
I am new to couponing ( few months) and I have some observations that I have experienced.
1) New cashiers are most of the problem. They don’t understand coupons and think you can only use one per item and can’t stack them.
2) If you buy a lot of items and then use coupons on all of them this causes problems for the cashier in terms of scanning coupons and then spending time reading the coupon to make sure they don’t get in trouble. (What kind of trouble I don’t know. I have been a cashier and I took coupons all day long. Didn’t even read one. If the machine scanned it I took it.)
3) I buy a few items with coupons get them free or next to nothing and because it’s a few items the cashier won’t make a big stink because it’s free. Seems to me if you get 10 individual cereals and then try and use 10 $1 off coupons they will put up a fight. I know we are in our rights to use the coupons however some cashiers and CSP think that we are trying to cheat the system. Kind of like we found a loop hole and now are taking advantage.
These are just my observations and I am only trying to make couponing fun and not the emotional experience some people seem to be having.
I just started using coupons, and I love it. I have saved so much money just in the few months that I have been doing it. It feels like I’m in a club that only so many people now about!! Thank you for all your hard work!!
Love your blog! The best one I have seen out there! I love couponing and love that you make it so easy. In fact, I probably wouldn’t do it if it weren’t for site’s like yours! Thank you so much!
Anonymous about the freezer…check craig’s list. I just got a standing freezer that the people had only used for 2 years, looks brand new, for $100!!
I do have to say, after 3 trips to Target this week I have no desire to go back anytime soon, and probably won’t. The first lady I had was not friendly, nor coupon friendly. The 2nd trip I left empty handed because their machines wouldn’t read my debit card. Todays trip sent me over the edge. The cashier argued with me and refused to use my coupon..and I knew I was right. I told her to pretty much take everything and shove it. I then went to customer service to say something about the ordeal. I was of course right, and she was wrong..which I knew all along.
I am a single mom of 2 kids and ever since I found this site a couple months, I am addicted. I LOVE this site! I never cut cupons before this site. Who can’t pass up free or dirt cheap items?!?!
Monkeybutts Mom
I enjoyed reading everyone’s comments (yes, I had that much time on my hands..lol). It made me feel good to know that I am not the only one out here experiencing the same issues. I used to use coupons when I was in college because I saw my mom use them when I was a kid, but I stopped because I figured I wasn’t saving that much. Thanks to sites like yours, my eyes have been opened recently to couponing the REAL WAY and I am now saving at least $200-300/mo. I will keep using coupons because it is just plain smart! So, thanks for all you do Hip to Save. And to those couponers that are getting mean cashiers – don’t let them get you down! Keep saving!
awesome post Girl! Sure we’ve had to deal with some raised eyebrows and rolled eyes. But really don’t we do the same thing to people who aren’t using coupons. I personally have four kids still at home age 19,18,12,6. Since I took over the shopping chores from my wife we save about 30% – 40% on groceries, and 90- 95% on paper, cleaners, toiletries, and other household supplies. Been times in the past when we had to choose between buying generic toilet paper or generic Ramen noodles– No more, cupboards are full, closets are full. We don’t rely on the free pantry at our church anymore, in fact, we are the primary donors to the pantry now. It’s not how much $ you make, It’s how wisely you spend it. Thanks for all you do.
Target (and some other stores) need to be confronted on the issue of how they treat customers who really know how to save at their stores.
Perhaps they would like to lower their prices to what things REALLY cost?
I plan to (anonomously) call Target locally and perhaps their headquarters every time I am treated poorly (I will wait a few days and not use my real name of course and dial *67 first, perhaps use a 1 cent per minute phone card from the dollar store – but I digress).
Put up or get your cashiers to shutup – TARGET!
You said it perfectly and made me feel even better about using coupons.
I just recently became aware of your site and it has the bargain shopper inside of me hooked! Thank you for all the time and knowledge you share with us!! I am loving all the deals that I’m scoring!
As my mother told me many years ago
If the manufacturers didn’t want you to use the coupons they wouldn’t have printed them…simple
Due to a back injury at one of peoples least favorite coupon places I am not able to work. Finding out about couponing has been a God send. Thank you for sharing. I want to encourage people out there to learn to fight for their rights. I have had to fight like I never had before due to my back. I have learned to stand up for myself and understand my rights. I didn’t fight when I first got injured. I thought the company would follow my doctors notes. I got re injured. So now I fight. You don’t have to yell. You just have stand there and calmly ask if they are going to uphold the companies policies or not. I have been able to buy my son and my family extra treats that would not have been possible several months ago. I feel I am being a good steward of what God has provided. I love showing my husband that I have saved us over 500.00 in the last 2 months. Keep at it. Thank you so much for all your help learning how to coupon!! God bless you.
OH! I forgot to say that my 13 year old son now looks forward to going shopping with me. He loves helping me find deals. Plus he always gets to pick something I would not normally buy. I just tell him to pick the coupon he wants to use. I am only saving about 50-60% right now. I’m new at this!! But that is 50-60% in my pocket that wasn’t there 2 months ago. We even took our savings and bought a used xbox360 game he wanted!! Thank you so much. This sight is the one that got me started. Love you darling. keep up the good work!
Upon returning home from Wegmans yesterday I realized that I hadn’t given the cashier my stack of coupons. I called and went back for the $18 adjustment! It’s worth it! Great thoughts!
It is funny how people will look at you like you are poverty stricken b/c you use coupons. My DH has gotten on the bandwagon with using Qs too but he says it does bother him sometimes when he gets the “you poor thing” look. Oh well, they can feel sorry for me or laugh about me (lady behind me in Target line with her snide comments). I am laughing all the way to the bank!!!!
I actually haven’t had too many bad experiences with people behind me in line just the Target cashiers. I’ve never wanted to give up though. I am some where in between. I can stay within my budget and did so quite well just shopping at Aldi’s. But if I can save the same AND get namebrand things and lots of freebies then hey why not!
I frequently have the baggers ask the cashiers ask how much I saved or get a good job from the cashiers at my local grocery stores!
And I just did my first coupon party yesterday with some family members.
I dont have personal issues with the person who bought 4 mascaras,I dont know them.I’m just trying to say maybe Target wouldn’t give people a hard time if we all kept to a limit.Maybe thats why you can only print 2 coupons.I’m not a trouble maker,I love this site.
If she has the four coupons she can buy four items target should like that because they will get that money back
I took a break from couponing because I was getting tired of checkers being crabby and telling me I can’t do this or that when I can. After about a 2 month break (back stock was getting low) I got back into and it’s been great. I mostly have been going to WAGS and doing the register rewards. I just keep a smile on my face and keep positive and it seems to be working better this time around. I think also I have more confidence this time around and I think that makes the checker feel more comfortable and goes ahead with the transactions.
I wish Target would make their printed coupons more specific so we wouldn’t have to battle the cashiers so much. If they clearly stated “Only good on boxed cereal” or “Not valid for single size cups” then there would be no debate. They also need to have one clear coupon policy that all stores follow. Store employees have no right to get annoyed with customers or accuse us of fraud or cheating when they, and us, can’t even be sure what the rules are.
WOW!!! This is a wonderful post! I think that coupons are a gift from God:) I thank God for the friendly cashiers that he’s placed in my path. I’ve NEVER had a problem at Target. When I go to my local Kroger and CVS, the cashiers know that I have coupons. Some of them even joke with me when I DON’T have coupons!!! The other night, I went to CVS. I got $128.90 worth of items for $5.01!!!!
With that said, I’m glad I found this site out of the blue one day. AND…it’s one of my daily stops:) Keep doing what you do, Collin!
I had to come back and read your post again today for some inspiration. Another horrendous experience at Target. And I am a RULE-FOLLOWER. One Target coupon per item per visit, even. But the girl hassled me like you wouldn’t believe, and then went off on some person who used a Zyrtec coupon and hadn’t bought any Zyrtec, etc. Once again, a Target employee made me feel like a criminal. Besides complaining to corporate, what else can we do? Anyone?
I have been very lucky (so far!) at our local Target, but then again, I don’t shop many of the deals there. My biggest coupon hassles — many exactly like the ones listed here — come at Wally World, right down to the “but that’s not what’s pictured on the coupon” nonsense. These stories about the same things happening at Target always make me nervous when I go into mine. And today I’m heading over there to pick up some more “free” Chef Michael’s dry dog food – my dog has decided he really likes the stuff. LOL! Thank goodness for coupons!!
To those of you being discouraged with your coupons at Target and other stores, remember many stores do not train employees correctly (or at all). Take your complaints up the ladder to customer service, the manager, to district managers, to corporate and so on. Perhaps call or write whowever issued the coupon – General Mills, Kraft, etc. They want your purchase to be pleasant so that you’ll continue to buy their product. Perhaps check with the Consumer Fraud division of your State Attorney General for information in your state. In my humble opinion, as long as you are following the rules you should be entitled to the coupon savings.
About those sighs you might hear from impatient people behind you during checkout, try to remember those sighs are misplaced and should be directed to management for failure to staff adequately. The people are probably regretting too, that they didn’t bring coupons. For comments about you needing to coupon, just don’t respond. Really, why would anyone want to throw money away? If you have a coupon why not make the best use of it instead of sending it to a landfill. Some millionaires are very frugal, humble people. Take their example. We should all reduce, reuse, recycle, use it up, make do or do without – and shop with coupons as often as possible! Why pay full price if you don’t have to? It doesn’t make the product any better. Maybe it helps that I was raised by parents who experienced the great depression. Every penny counts!
Great blog Hip2Save. Thanks!
Granny
I have been to target several times in the last week and I have never run into any problems at all. My cashier actually called over her manager today and 2 coworkers to show them what a deal I was getting. I save almost $70 w/ my coupons and paid under $12 and earned 3 $5 gift cards. They were great!! They even let me use multiple target coupons during one transaction with no issues!! I love Target!!!!
To the person who posted about limiting what you buy and stating that is why there is a print limit of two coupons, should maybe take into consideration that you can buy as many papers with coupons inserts as you want. Therefore,you could have 20 of any individual item if you really wanted. If you want to buy multiple of a certain item, who really cares. Isn’t that what coupons are for? If the manufacturer didn’t want you to use the coupons, they wouldn’t allow them to be put out there for the public to use. I just don’t feel that you want to blame people who buy more than one of any item for the issues at some to these stores. It simply comes down to cashiers and managers not understanding the coupon process. The other people to blame are the ones out there using counterfeit coupons. They completely ruin it for those of us who are doing everything by the book.
Thank You! I really need that this morning. I just went to Wal-Mart last night and got a bit scrutinized. Since I had soooo many coupons (about $60 worth), the CSM had to come approve them all before the cashier could finish the transaction. He wasn’t outright rude, but I could tell he didn’t like having to flip through them all and some of his questions were kinda “pointed”, though I just laughed them off. (that or hit the man – which might have felt better!) Your article was a great reminder why I still do this. Because I get to stay home with my 5 kiddos and we get to eat good meals also! Thanks!
I’m very glad you posted this. I started couponing a few months back. In May & June I saved over $1022.15 for my family. In July I had some bad experiences with mean wallgreens cashiers who told me I was commiting fraud when I tried to use 2 coupons on a BOGO offer. I also had to leave one wallgreens with all my stuff on the counter because I couldn’t figure out how to make the RR work for me and I was so frustraited. August we tried to live out of the pantry and I barely went shoppping at all. I’m kind of gun shy now with the coupons. I get so embarrassed when a big line forms behind me or managers are called over. But I am learning to stand my ground. Now that it’s a new month I’m going to try it all again. Thanks for the encouragement. You are the BEST!