Saying NO to a Deal… Can you do it?

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I received this email from a reader:

“I’ve saved a lot of money as a beginner couponer and get so excited when I can score something good for practically nothing. Makes me feel really good and just as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. With that being said, I have a hard time passing up a deal. Some deals can make you go broke. Sometimes I have a hard time passing up a coupon deal. I’m looking for ideas on how to choose which deals I seriously need and can use. Maybe your readers can help me with some ideas.”

The sign above… is it calling your name?

Well, we all need to keep in mind that just because we’re savings money, doesn’t necessarily means we’re “saving money”! I’m sure you’re thinking that doesn’t make much since. What I’m trying to say is that even if you score a great deal and save $50, you may still be spending money that is not within your budget. I personally think looking at your receipt and seeing the savings is great, but I think more importantly, seeing that you’ve actually spent LESS throughout the month is even greater.

…And remember this–A deal is NOT a deal if you’re spending money you don’t have!

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you have a hard time passing up deals?

Join The Discussion

Comments 92

  1. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    It’s funny you wrote this. Earlier today, I passed on a formula deal from Target. I was getting ready to push the submit button and realized that I was getting ready to spend $60 on formula that my daughter doesn’t even use (she uses that spit up version)!!

  2. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I hate throwing big value coupons away!! But you have to think of your budget before the value of a coupon. Good sales never end, so catch it next time around.

  3. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I have only been couponing for about 2 months and am
    already having a hard time figuring out where to
    store all my deals. I would like some tips on this too!

  4. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I really struggled with this when I first started out couponing, but I’ve had to come to grips with the fact that I can’t be everywhere at all times, getting every deal. I’ve really pared down my deal findings and have had to just be okay with the fact that I can’t score every good deal. I also try to shop at the end of the week, so that I’m accumulating all the deals you and others post so that I’m making one trip and not a gazillion!!! If the store is sold out of product by the end of the week, I just assume then the deal wasn’t for me. 🙂

  5. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I totally agree! If you don’t have the money it’s a “No Deal”! 😉 No matter how good of a sale or deal it is, you don’t want to be in debt to get the deal. Also, even with the free things – if you don’t have a plan to use them or give them away – I’ve passed up on some of them as well since I don’t want a cluttered house of all this free stuff that I have no use for…

  6. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I think it’s harder to pass up deals when you 1st start couponing b/c you aren’t used to the rhythms of sales so you don’t realize that there will be another deal that’s just as good or close. Once you’ve been doing it for a while, you see the deals roll around again and again and you start realizing that you can hold off and wait for the next deal. I think we’ve all given in and splurged on a great deal on something we didn’t necessarily NEED – you just have to be careful not to do that too often!

  7. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    It was difficult for me to pass up the Body Shop deal a day or two ago. I did the Burts Bees and need to be content.

  8. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    FUNNY…I was just thinking about this this morning. Thinking I need a support group to keep me from running out or being late to work just to get that fantastic deal at Kroger, Walgreens, Target, CVS…

  9. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I’ve done a couple deals that I wasn’t very happy with, (6pm.com shoes, metrostyle coat deal) even though the items didn’t cost that much, it’s still frustrating that I paid for items I wasn’t happy with and lost money on shipping. Now I ask myself “would you still NEED to buy this if you weren’t getting a good deal on it?” Seems to curb my desire to jump on every single online sale/deal posted.

  10. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I think it really depends on the deal and if it is something you really need/use like the current wipes deal at Target do I really have the money to go get a ton of wipes no my husband has been laid off and can’t get work however I have two kids one that is a newborn so do I need wipes yes will I need wipes for awhile yes so whats better spend the money now to stock up on wipes that may last a couple months that is almost 75% cheaper than regular price or still not have the money and have to pay regular price my plan get as many wipes as I can before the coupon’s dead because in the end its saving me money that one way or the other I don’t have

  11. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I love this post. I had this problem when I first got started but it worked out okay…because at the time my budget was sooooo tight that I just happened to need ‘everything’.

    One thing I will say though is that I do try to always stock up on cleaning supplies, laundry items and paper products (toilet tissue, paper towels etc.), when I can get them free or near free. I learned the hard way that if you aren’t able to score a deal on these items you can put a pretty big dent in your budget otherwise (especially for quality clothes detergent). I definitely don’t go out of my way for vanity items, unless I need them. For example, I just happened to be in Target recently for a prescription refill, so while I waited I was able to score the Degree scent deal, the Glade candle deal, and some shaving cream…for $1.57 OOP. However, if I wasn’t in there, I probably wouldn’t have made a special trip because I didn’t ‘need these things’.

    The best part is that once you start getting a regular rotation of samples and ‘free’ coupons, you can always score a deal (without any guilt or extra trips out of the house – because ‘free’ item coupons can be used anywhere).

  12. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    This is a great topic!!! I had a Hollister Q for 20% off, well my original plans where to buy Hollister “Jake” col. for my hubby or find some clearance items. Well lets just say I got a pair of jeans & saved only $8. When it comes to retail store Qs I think thats my weak spot!!! I have the urge to use them, but am trying my best to control myself!! LOL 😉

  13. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    If it’s not free, then I always ask myself if I need it or know of someone who needs it that will buy it from me and I can get my money back. It takes a little time to really learn to Smart shopping. I used to buy stuff I just because it was on sale and I had a coupon for it and the OOP was low, but in the long run it was throwing money away because I didn’t use the item. So regardless of the price always ask yourself if you will use it or know of someone who will, and you will always be ok. No matter how small or large the purchase I always ask myself that.

  14. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    The only time I will not pass up a deal is if it is a freebie! LOL…but other than that I have learned to only use what I need.

  15. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I have been couponing/rebating for over 30 years. My goal is to get everything free or as close to free as possible. I am always surprised at how much I really can get for free. Like others have said, once you have a good stockpile, you are less likely to jump at paying for anything. I have a deep freezer for my stockpile and it is stocked with meats and other free/almost free items. So we are eating better and smelling better with cleaner teeth for less than anyone else in my neighborhood. We can help our adult children and still have so much left for the shelters. This is a great hobby. But don’t pay for something that can be gotten free if you wait for a sale.

  16. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I am there also – just started about 3 weeks ago and have been caught up in the fun and high of a bargin. I need to be careful to only get the things we will actually use 🙂

  17. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I like the tip about shopping at the end of the week. I went to Walgreens on Sunday and bought tissues. Didn’t know until yesterday there was an additional coupon I could have used.
    I think I’m going to start waiting till later in the week to shop.
    I also agree that if you’re buying things that you wouldn’t normally buy just because they are a good price it’s not necessarily in your best interest.
    I think we all go through this when we start using coupons so much.
    I have definitely scaled down my deal shopping. Like others, I have accumulated quite a stockpile of things over the last few months.

  18. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I personally pick the deals by will I use it now, soon, or will I have to buy it in the next month. Like the wipes deal at target I had to do that one I have a 2year old and between messes and “accidents” we go through lots of wipes so I did this deal and stocked up. Also the 6pm deal I bought the gabrieelrocha shoes)5pairs) because when christmas comes around that is what i usuallybuy so this year I got thr times as much because I spent less on each item. Makes Christmas GREAT. thanks hip2save.

  19. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Collin posts so many good deals that it is hard to pass on them, but you have to at one point or another…like printing coupons, if it’s something you know you will use, print it…otherwise, don’t bother as you will probably throw the coupon away anyway. If you lose out on a coupon or a deal, just keep in mind, there will ALWAYS be another coupon or another deal…if you pay attention, the coupons and the sales keep coming around, so you will eventually be able to use the coupon or take advantage of that deal.

    I sometimes like when the stores are out of their sale items…then I can get rain checks and use them when I have a $5.00/$25.00 coupon…the rain checks can help me get to the $25.00 purchase when the stores don’t have such a good sale. I also like rain checks on frozen items, as my freezer is usually full (thank God), and I have to shove the new item in the freezer or take stuff out of boxes to fit them in.

    Once you have been couponing for a while, and you’ve built your stockpile to where you want it, you will find yourself not even fretting over losing a deal…trust me!

  20. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I think I’m at the point where even if it’s free, I hesitate…after all I still have to pay tax! A dollar here, 2 there still adds up.

  21. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I have been couponing for 6 months now and I do not get all the bargains and I end up throwing away a lot of expired coupons….I now think twice before I buy something; “Is this an item we will actually use?” If not then I pass it up, at first it was hard but I have learned a lesson by spending too much money just because I had a coupon. On the other hand I will not pass up something if I can get it for free! Because someone can and will use it, either family, friends or donate it….

  22. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Good question to ask – would you be buying it anyways? AS IN – You will HAVE to buy TP or diapers etc. Do we really NEED clothes unless they are almost free? Do you really NEED the non-essentials? Nope.

    Interesting i don’t have kids but i try to treat myself as if i were my own kid about the difference between NEED and WANT.

  23. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Thanks for posting my request Collin. I am enjoying the ideas and thoughts the readers have. Love the saying, ” would i need to buy this regardless of the deal “
    I’m going to try that. I just have always had a bit of a spending problem. I do try to stock up on things that I will use that are a really good deal or free. However I always feel the need to make trips to go get the deal, which in turn is only using more gas and probably not saving anything in the long run.

  24. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    A very timely topic with the Holidays here. I was getting ready today to go to Target and pick up some great deals on toys, but I really don’t need them. My kids are older so I would be buying them for giveaways. That is find but I have already stocked up so many great free or really cheap deals on toys and have a ton to donate. I’m staying home.

  25. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I started couponing about 6 weeks ago, and after the “honeymoon” phase, I made a spreadsheet with a budget. If I have spent my money for the week, I don’t spend one dime out of pocket for anything else! This way I don’t jump at offers without knowing it may be the only offer I can jump on for the week! Then, if other offers come up, I instead pass the info to someone who CAN use or needs the deal!

  26. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I think it’s hard starting out and you feel that you almost have to get everything but then you get over it. Now I think that I’m getting a better deal if I don’t buy it at all especially if I don’t need it.

  27. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I too have a hard time passing on a sale. But, I’ve always been that way even before couponing. Now it’s just worse. 🙂

    The thing that has helped me the most (in saving time, money and my sanity) is limiting the stores I go to. For example I only grocery shop at Publix and only once a week. I wait for things to be on sale at “my store” and then buy them so that I’m not running to 3 different grocery stores each week. Same with the drug stores. I only go to CVS and Rite Aid – I don’t even look at the Walgreens ads so that I’m not tempted to make that extra trip. Most weeks I just pick the one that has the best deals but there are some weeks that I go to both because there are good deals at each one.

    That’s just 3 sale papers each week I have to look at. To me, saving the time is just as important as saving money. Now if I can figure out a way to stay out of the mall… 🙂

  28. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I’m an on-again-off-again couponer who gets overwhelmed at the time it requires as well as the amount spent on “deals.” I’ve decided this time to allow myself a specific weekly budget for “deals” that is separate from my weekly grocery budget…we’ll see.

    I like what SuzyQpon said: the sales are cyclical and it’s good to learn the rhythm.

  29. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    It is not what you save, but what you spend! That is our motto!

  30. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I was forced to think about this last night when I was at Staples about to buy some things that really weren’t in my budget. I know that just because something is a good deal doesn’t mean that I have to take advantage of it! Goodness, I’m glad you spoke on this!

  31. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Since I don’t have to pay tax on grocery items in my state I will jump on it if the item is free. Also, like the free wipes at Target, we have a messy 3 yr. old and go through wipes like water. I did that deal b/c we are always using wipes. However, I only did one game deal at Target b/c they are not in the budget but the theory was that one game could entertain us for a few weeks and maybe keep us from going out. Instead cooking dinner in and having game nite would be better.

  32. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Great post. In response to spreadsheet: We just found a free budget tool called mint.com through my neighborhood association newsletter that allows us to set-up a budget for the month for free….once we hit the budget line it is beans and rice, rice and beans for the rest of the month…

  33. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    lol. I always think when I read posts from readers on this site..how do they have money to buy all of the shoes, games, clothes and everything else talked about on here. Personally, we have been able to purchase more extra things thanks to the savings we have from couponing. But there are several deals we see and dont get b/c we dont need it. (c: I am interested in reading the rest of the comments.

  34. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Great post! I have been thinking the same thing lately! It’s so hard to pass up great deals…but we are also hitting very tough money times for our family..with that being said..do I really need a stock pile of razors, shampoo, toothpast…I actaully did say for one week I will not “do any deals” unless they are totally free. Even if it’s .20 I am not going to to do it for one week. It can be addicting for me! LOL

  35. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I have problems with this when it comes to Walgreens and CVS. The deals list them as free but they are not really. Starting out you still have to pay OOP.

  36. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I do the Wags deals where I get back RR and Im only out of pocket at max 5 bucks.. Ill get 30 boxes of tissues too if that means I dont need any for awhile and its stuff I do use.. papertowels.. im doing the wags deal for the cold stuff because I do get sick and its better having then going to the store when you are sick nothing worse! I’ll usually do a wags deal if my bucks are goign to expire.. but if you are buying stuff that you use i dont think its a waste of money as long as its not sitting in yoru pantry just looking at you

  37. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Starla yes you start out of pocket but when you the RR back you start building like a bank.. Its kinda like going to the casino if that makes any sense.. basically in the end you are playing with their money with little to none out of pocket..

    I did the almay deal

    heres what i got
    3 almays
    3 mascaras
    2 3pk papertowels
    2 packs of gum
    3 bottles of Lubriderm
    2 bottles of arm and hammer

    oop I spent 12 bucks but I still got back RR and I have 20.00 to use which i will with the cold stuff.. the above I do use so its not a waste

  38. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I agree with waiting until later in the week to see what others have posted. I was running to different stores almost every day with my 14 month old and it was getting crazy! On one hand, it got us out of the house, but on the other hand, it was stressful. Planning all those trips, finding and clipping coupons, trying to figure out if it was in my budget.

    We pay cash for everything so I know, if I don’t have the cash, I don’t need to make the trip. Now, I usually make two trips per week. One to Albertsons for my groceries and one to Rite Aid (only if it’s a smoking deal). I will sometimes throw in a Target deal or Fred Meyer if there is something that is really worth it. I refuse to go to the store for one item, because as I’m sure most of you have noticed, a lot of times these sales/coupon deals are out of stock by the time you get to the store. Packing up my son and getting to the store is enough of a chore to make it not worth it.

    That being said, I do have a great stockpile in our pantry and second freezer (also toiletry items). I recommend spending a month or two really stocking up, then take it easy. Only go out when it is something you really need or rarely goes on sale.

    For all these Christmas toys, books, movies, etc, we have a strict cash budget for everyone on our list. If I can’t fit it in the budget or can’t figure out a person who would really enjoy it, I pass it up. It is awesome to have Hip showing us all these great deals because some of them are very useful and I have been able to stockpile some awesome gifts for friends/family. But if you do not have someone that would really enjoy it and are just buying it for the deal, it’s still a waste of money no matter how much you spent.

  39. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Once I’m stockpiled on a certain item, I am refusing to buy anymore of them, no matter how great the deal!

    I also joined the Yahoo! Coupon Exchange round robin, so coupons I don’t want go to other people who can use them (and theirs to me, etc.). I also joined Coupons For Troops so that my expired coupons don’t go to waste either.

  40. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I just left the $5 Brita coupon at Walgreens sticking out of the last Brita pitcher…some lucky person who actually wants a Brita pitcher will get a great deal! I know it is hard to pass up, but I leave the coupon so at least someone will get the benefit!

  41. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    There is a $3 coupon off Snuggle softner, at walmart they are priced at $4.37 so after Q $1.37 is this a good deal if you haven’t tried or use this?

  42. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I no longer do walgreens. At one point I had over 100 dollars in RR. I have found I spend less if I only buy the things I NEED even if they aren’t free. I may not make money anymore but my credit card bill has gone down.

    Christmas toys…my kids get gifts that I get good deals on. There is always plenty of deals on things they would like. I don’t shop for certain toys, I pick toys from deals.

  43. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Such a great topic. My mom and I were just discussing this because we have been couponing for about 2 months now and are already stockpiling everything. Last night I bought 4 Mr.Potato Heads for $4 and when I got home my husband asked what I was going to do with all of these Mr.Potato Heads??? Well, I guess that was the first moment when I realized I was going a little overboard but at least with the holdiays coming up some of the toy deals will be great for toys for tots donations. Although the adrenaline rush of saving money is great I need to really start conserving what I buy and see the savings that way!

  44. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I’m fairly new to couponing and initially, I would buy each & every item I had a coupon for. But now, I have started restricting myself by not printing out/clipping coupons for items that I already have or wouldn’t use. This way I wouldn’t be tempted to buy them when I reach the store.

    I somewhat agree with Starla. I usually avoid CVS and Walgreens ECBs and RRs coz I’m not good at rolling them and found that I was paying OOP everytime just because it was on sale or had a coupon.
    But I like RiteAid for this matter. Even if you pay OOP you will get the money back as check which can be used for something else rather than spending it in the store again.

  45. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I only go in on a deal if:

    1. I was planning to buy the product and need it

    2. It is free or near free and I can use it or donate it

  46. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    anyone have any tissues.. sniff sniff

  47. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Great post and advice! I personally am addicted to kids.woot.com!!

  48. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I have to comment…

    I have only been doing this for about 4 months and my husband and I sat down to run some numbers. My first month I tried to get ALL the deals thinking I was SO GREAT saving all this money. I was WAY over budget for the month and have since had to pick and choose between deals to still be living with-in our means. We DO have a great stock-pile of certain things (we had to convert our spare bedroom closet to a second pantry!) and I can tell that in the future we will save money by not having to purchase those items. So I’ve learned to pass up on some deals…there’s always another and it WILL come along again. I CAN’T, however pass up on a deal that will cost me practically nothing!!! (Duh!)

  49. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    One thing that helps is to keep track of your gas! Yes, you might be getting a stockpile of free razors if you hit every Walgreens in town, but I’ve found that running out for every deal was murder on the gas budget, so it wasn’t really a deal. Now I just plan two trips weekly for my shopping, and try to plan out which stores have the best deals that week and will price match for me, then those are the ones I go to. Less stress and we still have what we need.

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