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!
Thank you so much for all you do!! 🙂
I love this. My 16 year old daughter LOVES going to the store with me. It is like a game to see just how much we can save. I do feel like I am teaching her the value of a dollar through couponing. BTW I love your site!
I have been using coupons for almost 20 years and won’t be stopping any time soon. However, I did have to pause for a moment last night. We were heading to dinner to use a coupon that was ready to expire when a friend called and asked us to join her and her family at another restaurant. After agreeing to mmet them, my husband mentioned that we didn’t have a coupon for that restaurant…then my 5 year old son started crying. He was concerned that we wouldn’t be able to join our friends because Mommy didn’t have a coupon! After getting over feeling guilty, it was the perfect opportunity to explain to him that we use coupons when we can. By saving money, we are able to go places and buy what we need and (sometimes) want…and that we would never allow the lack of coupon to keep us from joining friends!
I find that I have more luck at the grocery store than anywhere else. Having built a relationship with few cpn friendly cashiers, it helps alot. If I didn’t use coupons, we would not be getting as much, but like you, we would be fine. Couponing is fun most of the time and when it’s not, I keep my purchases smaller and try a different store or a different time.
What an encouragement; letting us all in on your little bumps in the road lets us know the journey is worth the struggles along the way. I’ve been doing this for just under a month now, and in that time I’ve “purchased” over $800 worth of products that were completely paid for between coupons and rebates. My son especially likes that he hasn’t had to buy his dog any food for quite a while with all the free dog food I’ve been able to “buy”. Keep up the good work, and the encouragement.
p.s. I cleaned out my cupboards because of your recent inspiration as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I really needed to hear this! Thank you for sharing your experiences. There have been times when I have had really frustrating couponing experiences–either because the cashiers were poorly trained or because they were just downright crabby–and I’ve wanted to throw in the towel. But then I remember what a significant impact couponing has had on my family’s finances. And I think of the huge amount of items I have been able to donate to the homeless shelters because of couponing. Then I realize that I can’t give this up just because of a few difficult people!
I grew up in a very frugal family, and so it is just my nature. lol. but I am a young mom, and coupons allow me to go to school, and stay home a lot more with my 2 year old. The hardest part for me is how other people my age react to seeing me with coupons. They do not outright say anything, but roll their eyes when I have a coupon for where we eat, and so on. I just look at them and say on an average I save at least $200 a month due to coupons, and sales. Calculate it out. Then they usually keep there mouth shut. I just don’t get why people are too affraid to use coupons. Even if I had more money in life, I could never see myself not hunting for deals, or couponing. It’s my way of life now, and I love it! Thank you for all you do! Plus no one ever complains when they get goodie (freebies!) baskets for birthdays and Christmas. lol
I don’t need to use coupons either but like others have said, it’s like a game to me. I love to see how much I can save and it is fun to do so! Sometimes the hunt is also fun! It’s amazing how many items you can get for free too and I just don’t understand why more people don’t use coupons! I totally love your site and all of the other sites. Keep up the great words of encouragement!
AMEN SISTER!
I started using coupons because we really needed too- now that we don’t really need to, I love doing it and seeing how much money it really saves us! Dave Ramsey’s program helped us see how important it is to save money, and with your website and coupons it really helps! I have several friends that are “embarassed” by using coupons and I don’t understand especially since it saves MONEY! I have been able to save money and buy some things that we haven’t been able to afford which has been nice! Thanks for all you do HIP! My husband just finished building me a food storage room (we have no pantry either) with our saved money from the past two weeks! Now I have somewhere to put it! Now for purchasing a freezer…Anyone have any good deals on freezers?? Coupon codes for lowes.com? Thanks guys!
That story bought tears to my eyes, because simply put, I do have to use coupons. Being a college kid, and a poor one at that, I find that using coupons and things helps me out so much, that my friends have also jumped on the bandwagon. And to think it all started because I came across this site! Thank you so much for what you do and all your time that you give to us each day 🙂
Great Post!! It is so difficult in the beginning and I will admit I had such a horrible experience at Target that I have yet to return and try to use coupons there. I would love to do the Special K deal this week but already know I will get the ONLY 1 coupon per product speech yet again when I try to stack. Not to mention I can’t get the Target coupons to print big enough that they will actually scan.
So other than Target I have the hang of it at most stores and once you get it down most of the time it is a breeze.
I have had cashiers talk about me right in front of my face but there is usually one that has reason and says I don’t blame her I would do the same thing. Usually this is right in the midst of 4 transactions rolling cats at Acme. :o)
Your post is quite timely, I would have probably thrown in the towel to couponing last night at Target if it was my beginning experience. I had a very coupon unfriendly cashier that kept on saying I shouldn’t be able to use a coupon since it would mean the item would be free. This is the same cashier that jokingly said that he wished we had coupons to pay for everything or something like that when I said I had a lot of coupons. The managers were even telling him to let me use the coupons and he kept trying to argue the point that the item would be free. Then as I was visibly upset, the manager told me that the cashier was “just doing his job.” I was doing my job too, effectively coupon shopping and saving my family lots of money, ugh. The Target cashiers need to read the coupon policy, I will not be returning to this Target, I don’t need to be hassled.
Well….I hate to be the first one to post a “downer” remark….
but….
I now avoid shopping at WAGS and Target. I don’t feel that this is detrimental to me….I choose not to shop at these stores because I have been hassled too many times. I don’t want them to get *any* of my money.
There are plenty of other stores who welcome my coupons….and my money.
I am from MI I am a union carpenter and I’m sure many of you know our state has been hit hard economicaly, so I tured to coupons and I’m hooked on saving money. We could still get by without using them but that is just stupid talk n e 1 who puts you down for using coupons aka saving money is the stupid one. I’ve been told it takes too much time and all kinds of excuses why not to do it, but us that really know that is doen’t take a lot of time. People also say time is money and I say to that well duh! Why do you think I do it! Like Stephanie wrote I have made relationships with cashiers @ the stores I frequent and never have any problems and when I’m at a store I’m usually not @ I try to be as nice as possible and that usually works for me. Thanks for all the hard work. My family thanks you.
Don’t throw in the towel! Especially not now that they are ad matching!!
Be up front and honest with them if you have more than one item that has a Target coupon (ask if they want you to split it into separate transactions) and arm yourself with the Target coupon policy!
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I’ve just started doing this since mid-June. Got my sister-in-law into it too! I have had many bad experiences at Target lately and finally decided to write to corporate! Got an email back with their coupon policy. My sister-in-law and I went to Target yesterday and were prepared with our printed out coupon policy in hand, just waiting for the casheir to get crabby! She was FANTASTIC! No sighs, no questions, nothing!! We were so surprised! I paid 0.21 for all my purchases and saved over $50! We had gone to Starbucks inside the store to take break and celebrate our great deals, we deserved it! Then we saw our cashier, we decided she deserved a reward! My sister-in-law and I split the cost of a coffee for her! We told her how much we appreciated her patience for accepting all our coupons and not giving us any trouble! She was so surprised and thanked us and told us nobody had ever done something like that for her. We told her we usually have a terrible experience with Target cashiers but she was great, she actually told us when she was ringing us up how she was thinking she needed to start using coupons too! We hope that will encourage her to be nice to other “couponers” in the future, especially when she’s having a bad day! We will definitely be on the lookout for her on our next shopping trip! Thanks for all you do Hip! P.S. I also decided to clean out the pantry and organize (after I broke a jar of queso trying to fit in more groceries!).
Very well said, and I really needed to hear this little bit of encouragement because I do get discouraged at times. I do need deals and coupons in order to be able to work just part time and be home with my kids more often than not. It’s been a rough year for my family and any way we can save some money helps. Great pep talk! Thanks.
Well said, thank you!
Believe it or not but I go to stores when I know my favorite cashiers are on the shift. It makes my trip a lot better and easier.
I’ve been working deals for more than 20yrs (since college days). Thankfully, for the most part, I’ve always been able to treat it like a game, a challenge to see how much I can save. I’ve been fortunate to have a good paying job so coupons aren’t a necessity. Actually, my wife and kids feel I have a ‘disease’ LOL. Oh well. When it’s their money, maybe they’ll feel differently.
thank you soooo much for your valuable post…..v r just newbie couponer’s……and v r now addicted to buy items free or almost free spending just cents….
I’m new at couponing and was wondering what it means when it is said to use coupon 8/2RP? Sometimes there will be 8/2/SS. I’m assuming the RP is Red Plum and SS is Smartsource. I use their websites, but can’t find the coupons I need. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
THANK YOU!
I am a newbie, just started 2 weeks ago with the help of your site. I have also had awful problems with Target in that time, but this is enough to inspire me to keep it up.
I agree that it has a positive impact on one’s life. For instance, I feel great going and getting something free, because even if we don’t use it, I can donate it and someone will. Not to mention that I got $20+ of free stuff at Target today- making my weekly dinner out with my 2 kids much less guilt-inducing!
KEEP IT UP!
I have felt like that sometimes too! I’ve been doing this for a year with groceries/HBA and baby items,and the past month or two have realized how to do the same with birthday and Christmas presents. It is so stressful sometimes when you get that cashier(or sometimes manager) who just does not know or care(usually)…but then I just think…I had the oppurtunity to be a stay at home mom(and I just turned 22!), and am getting to go to a 4 year university now….with only my hubby’s income. We bought a house in May in the most sought after area in our city…and there is NO WAY we would be able to do that if I had not started coupon-ing. We still eat out, wear mostly name brand clothing(NOT that I’m a name brand snob or anything..I have just learned how to get it for less than Walmart and Target!)…and get to do fun activities without having to worry about wether or not we can afford to have fun. It can be hard, but it is WORTH IT!
About 1 month ago when I was at Dillon’s (my FAVORITE grocery store BTW..b/c the cashiers enjoy seeing the savings) I left with $500 in groceries for $4.**tax and the line behind me dropped thier jaw and a few of them said “wow. no wonder we were waiting, but if you can do that-just ignore us! That’s amazing.” and then the lady directly behind me in line, came up to me at my car to see my reciept and ask how to do it too. So, do NOT feel bad. Most people…other than the occassional cashier, wish they could do what we do.
I think many people don’t truly understand why people want to save money and use coupons. I’m sure many people roll their eyes when they see me pull out a stack of coupons, but I know that I am making a difference in my life and keeping my hard earned dollars in the bank where they belong. Great post. Keep on doing what you’re doing!
i love this website, found it a few months ago and really don’t know how i lived without it. You are awesome and I just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work.
Would love your comments and opinions on another topic —-I have six pages filled listings of free items, coupons, promotions and other items that goes back to MARCH 15 —–none of these were ever received by me and most are from very reputable companies—-looking for everyones comments please———
What a great post. Thanks. 🙂
Hi Hip! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now, and I just want to say think you for everything you do and everyone else out there does for us to help us save money! I love collecting coupons and I can save a lot of money! My mom and I even compete each week to see who saves the most money! Its a lot of fun. I’m only 26 and have actually had some of my friends make fun of me as well, but when I tell them I can buy $100 dollars of food for $20 bucks that usually shuts them up! I am proud to cut coupons and I think everyone else should be too.
i must say this blog is awesome…i found it when i was looking for info on oldnavyweekly.com…and have been reading/following ever since..
my mom used coupons when i was younger and i always thought it was a waste of time…well i must say i was soooo very wrong…i’m pro coupons and love coming to the site everyday to see what deals are out there..though im with a few of you and stay away from certain stores, because they are not coupon friendly, i will spend my money at the store that makes me feel welcome and not like im annoying them…
thanks for all the awesome deals and thanks everyone for their comments and help on some of these deals…
I too have been following this site for about 6 months and I couldn’t count the THOUSANDS of dollars we’ve saved in only 6 months! My family & friends are very envious..and I can count at LEAST 20 times where people behind me in line were like: “WOW, that’s amazing” and I’ve given out Hip’s website MANY times. I joke with my husband that I should just get cards pre made with her website on it because everyone wants it .. espically nowadays! Like everyone else Hip…I’M SO THANKFUL FOR ALL YOU DO!
I’m so thankful for your site! I do the same tell ppl I’m sorry but most just want to know how I do it. LOL even cashiers want to know. I just want to say thank you for all that you do!
I was just commenting that I have a ton of coupons from Vocalpoint & others and I no matter how many times I offer them up to family & friends, they turn them down – even though they admittedly use the exact same product. It’s frustrating, but I just keep doin’ what I’m doin’ because it works for my family. Thanks for sharing your blog!
I really love to use coupons, it’s a “magnificent obsession” with me. I find using coupons is more mind-based then need-based. I grew up in a modest home, and was given very little. I have a great deal of respect for money, with the first tenet being “not to waste it”.
Now that we’re older, both my sister and I make a very comfortable living. We both heavily use coupons, and shop at thrift store.
For those people who feel poor when they use coupons, I will leave you with this thought. I am more poor when I didn’t use a coupon because I no longer have that extra money.
I love your blog and I saved so much. I remember a couple of days ago at Target my coupon didn’t work and I got red in my face. My mom noticed and later said don’t ever be embarrassed it is not like you’re stealing. she was right and I felt better after the chat. 🙂 saving some cash is always the best!!!
Perfectly said. I have many wealthy friends who do not understand the concept of coupons or why I would even take the time to do this. It seems like it is beyond them. Since I’m a stay at home Mom, I see it as my contribution or “paycheck”. Plus it’s fun. I love bargains. I know have my 68 year old Mom following your site.
Thanks for cheering everyone on. I wouldn’t have time to do all this couponing without sites like yours that make couponing so easy. We are in a tight financial time right now, but I don’t think I’ll ever give up couponing because it saves a TON of money that I can use to save for other things and stay out of debt. Who would have thought couponing could be soooo much FUN????!!!
This is a great post.
For those on the fence, keep the faith. Just today I got $63.12 of goods from Target for a mere $14.89!
I also try to find a friendly looking cashier. I find the younger girls are the ones who get excited with you when the total pops up.
Great post! Thanks for the encouragement…I’m a newbie to the couponing world(2-3months)and I’ve had my moments/experiences where I question my savings adventures, but then it seems for every 1 negative experience I have, there are easily at least 5 positive ones….so just like everything in life, you take the good with the bad and hope that the positive out weights the negative. When I feel frustrated, I try to remind myself that tomorrow always has the potential to be another great hip2save day!
I see that I’m not the only one with coupon problems.This is my problem at Rite Aid:Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 I went to Rite Aid, store #11766, on 405 Hill Street, Griffin,GA. Upon completing my transaction, I tried to use the Rite Aid $5 off $ 25 coupon. The cashier denied to scan the Rite Aid coupon first until she scanned the manufacturer coupons that I had with me. So she scanned my manufacture coupons and my total was then $18 which disqualifed the Rite Aid coupon. I’m very nice and polite person who does not argue or writes letters of complaints so I took my coupon back and left the store. Later that day a friend of mine went to Rite Aid and was able to use her $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon without any problems prior to scanning of manufacturer coupons. This made me feel disappointed. So I checked your coupon policy online and spoke to a customer service representative about my situation. I was informed that according to a new policy the $5 Rite Aid coupon should be scanned before manufacturer coupons. The person I spoke to then told me that next time this happens I should ask for a manager. The customer service representative that I spoke to continued to say that if the manager still refused to scan the $5 coupon first, then let them call Rite Aid customer service to take care of it.
So with this information, I went back to the same store again to make some more purchases. I bought dog food which happened to have coupons on the box. As I got to the register to check out, I obtained the coupons from the dog food box. The cashier stopped me from getting the coupons off the boxes and called Christy, who was the manager on that shift. There was an issue of whether or not I could use them with this transaction. Christy, with a grim look on her face, told the cashier to let me use those coupons and then proceeded to say, ” You have to get those coupons from the box yourself ,she(the cashier) is not gonna help you. You should let her help another costumer while you are doing that.” First of all, I never expected the cashier to help me obtain the coupons for me to use. I felt that the manager was extremly rude but I calmly replied as I stepped to the side, ” Sure not a problem.” The cashier then helped the customer behind me. Once I was done, the cashier scanned my items and I gave her the coupons. Again, she refused to scan my $ 5 Rite Aid coupon first until she scanned the manufacturer coupons. This is when I explained to her what I was told by customer service. So the manager was called over and would not help me. I asked her to call Rite Aid customer service and she refused. She then became belligerent. In front of the other costumers, she raised her voice and said:” You have done this before?! Did you?! Yes! You have done this before!” On that moment my heart dropped as I was being humiliated and degraded .I felt like she was accusing me of something I knew nothing about. She treated me like a criminal. What did I do wrong? I’m just trying to use the $5 Rite Aid coupon that numerous other customer have used. I reached for my phone and dialed the number myself. The customer service agent asked me to passed the phone to a manager. The manager was informed of the policy and was told to accept the $ 5 coupon before scanning the manufacturer coupons. Finally she did what she was told to do and I paid for my shopping. Shaking, I went out of the store, sat in my car with tears in my eyes. Never in my life was I treated this way.
My husband uses the Rite Aid pharmacy for his prescriptions. I feel disappointed that this situation occurred over a coupon discrepancy. I just hope that in the future Rite Aid employees become more knowledgable about the coupons that their company sends out. Am I going to shop at Rite Aid again? I prefer to shop at a place where I feel welcome and not threatened that I will be humiliated or degraded over a coupon.
My family has been couponing since I can remember. I used to cut coupons for my Mom every week and help to organize them. Now that I have 3 children of my own, I use coupons even more so than my Mom did. I have my 5 year old daughter clip the coupons for me and I organize them for the next trip out. I feel like we’re all teaching our children a very valuable lesson about money when we explain to them that when we use a coupon we have more money left over to buy and do the other thing that we want. And they get it! My Aunt and I have gone coupon shopping together to try and see who can do better. I love the challenge and the savings! Like I’ve said before, I feel like I’m legally stealing! Thanks for all that you do! You deserve a gigantic HIP hug!
I appreciate your sharing, I have to say I have had a great time couponing and cannot see that changing. I have had a couple annoying times but not at Target. When I did have a difficult time I contact Corporate and the managers have been more than helpful. I love going into a store buying what I need and leaving without paying a dime or at worse very little. I appreciate ALL the advise help and suggestions!!!!!!!! Please keep encouraging others. Thank you, Dawn
I can’t agree more. Thank you for all your help. I have always cut coupons, however, I was not doing it quite right until I found your blog and started couponing the right way. Thank you . Barbara
Hip, your take on using coupons/rebating is great! Thanks for sharing that with all. You are so right, and so well said and from the heart. You are such a dear one.
And even though I had used coupons for over forty years, and done rebating in the past also, I had gotten to where I had not been doing much of it. Never did do the Wags thing till I found your site. What you have gotten me into now!!! I have really gotten into this, along with the couponing, and the free items on your site.
You and your site are tremendous and have saved my family so much money in the last nine months. I give away my extras to friends, family, and missions…what a great feeling. Thank you is not adequate for all the time you spend on this blog, but thank you we do and hope this finds you and your family well and happy.
And for the person asking what 8/2SS or 8/2RP means, you are right in that those stand for Smart Source or Red Plum Coupon Inserts. You will find the respective one for the date
listed in that day’s paper.
And for the person that has not received the goods that they requested since March, they need to follow up to the address to which they sent the rebate, sample request, etc…or email addy, and explain the situation. Make a copy for your records before sending.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for your encouragement and input. I have had frustrating moments too (usually at Target or Walmart) but have instead tried to overlook them and move on. You are right that WE are not doing anything WRONG! Thank you again for your encouragement and I hope other couponers take your advice. Happy posting!
Thanks for your encouragement! I’ve got a TON of coupons for Target tomorrow and they drive me nuts but I’m determined to get my deals!
Thank you so much for all you do! My family is doing so much better with our money thanks to your site, Dave Ramsey, and another site much like yours. It is great to feel encouraged and know taht you are all in this together. This money svaing community has really spurred me on!I also find I am more generous now than ever and am much less wasteful than I was in the past. Thanks for the blessing! You made couponning loads easier the second time around:)
Wow! I am moved by your testimony. I feel like the Lord has blessed me abundantly by opening my eyes to the savings of coupons!! I was skeptical at first and now I have an “addiction” –LOL. We have been able to help those in need and that has been wonderful too! Thank you for your encouragement, I get frustrated at times too, cashiers treat my family as if we were doing something illegal and get very rude at times. Their loss not mine.
Thank you for all you do. I think a lot of your fans would really enjoy the book The Millionaire Next Door.
I will say that my kids sure have learned humbleness towards grumpy people in stores. We encounter it quite often. Humbleness is better learned by experience than by lecture anyway…