Are all Good Deals REALLY Good Deals for You?!
OK, so I have received lots of emails from readers who are addicted to buying each and every good deal that comes their way regardless of a need for the item or even a desire for the item. When I first started couponing, I felt like any item that I purchased with a coupon was a good deal and was enabling me to save money— in reality I was doing quite the opposite. I now know exactly when a good deal is REALLY a good deal for me… and here are a few tips that may help you realize when a good deal is REALLY a good deal for you:
**Make a list and stick to it and I don’t just mean a a grocery list. You can make lists for everything in life– can you tell I LOVE lists?! I make a “gift list” for everyone I will be buying presents for during the year and I also put the price range that I’d like to spend on each gift. I also make lists for household items with price points as well. Lists really do help keep your budget in check and make unnecessary spending a thing of the past!
**Have a designated place in your house to store your great finds. You may also want to have a list of your inventory and when you a reach certain amount of “like” products– STOP buying them! For example, I almost went overboard with Glade candles and had to limit myself. I mean do we really need 50 Glade candles in our home at one time? I think not!
**Only shop with cash and leave that credit/debit card at home! Designate a set amount of cash to spend each month or week and only bring that allotted amount with you. I can’t tell you how much this has helped me!
**Shop with a friend who will let you know when you are buying something unnecessary. I’ve had friends nicely question some of my purchases and it really does help to make you stop and think.
**Do not shop when you’re hungry. You are definitely more likely to come home with items that you would not have purchased on a full stomach. Ummm… ya… I’m thinkin’ Twinkies, candy bars…
I am curious how all of you feel about this subject. Take the time to read through the questions below and let us know how you feel in the comment section.
Will you snag anything if it is free?
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money?
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I don’t get freebies just because they are free. I only get them if it is something I can really use, otherwise, I let others get the chance to obtain them. By the same token I only purchase items I really need otherwise I am just throwing away my hard earned money.
I will almost always snag it if it is free. since my kids have all left home, it is just my husband and I and we don’t need that much food or other “stuff”. I budget $20 a month that I try to stretch as far as possible to take to the food bank. It is amazing how far that will go with the freebies and almost freebies. I usually end up taking about 5 boxes of food and toiletry items every month.
Will you snag anything if it is free? NO! Only if my family uses it or we can donate.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money? ONLY if its FREE and I can DONATE IT!
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? NO. Common sense prevails here.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? Sort of. Son went into military and we have been putting things in his room. Found out we might get a surprise visit so we organized and boxed things up. What would not fit got donated.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? YES, but only if we have storage space or can donate any extras.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself? DONATE! We give lots of things to the scouts, former scouts now in military and homeless shelter.
I LOVE THIS HOBBY but I am careful it does not overtake my home or my life!!!
When I first started seriously couponing I fell into the same thing (I may have been giving away Glade candles to all my friends and family and swearing to never buy another come to think of it!). These days I’ve learned to only spend on deals that are truly things my family needed anyway, including gifts that I hold for upcoming occasions. I do tend to pick up whatever is outright free if it’s fairly convienent and I give the things I don’t need away to family that can use them.
Yes. I snag most stuff if it’s free (Except stuff I know I won’t be using it at all such as glucose meter or reading glasses or specific medicine…..)
I don’t buy every deal out there, only deal that is too good and I can stock up. (I mean stuff that I might use in the near future and it doesn’t expire)
My hubby is not very supportive to me in regard clipping coupons. He feels that I can do somthing else which I can be making more money. Ha ha….but I love to get good deals out there……..
Overall, I think I am doing fine. I don’t think I over spent. But i do have stuff that I don’t need stock up in my home right now.
I am fairly new to couponing, and I don’t knock my grocery bill down to nothing. I will snag a deal that is free or nearly free only if I can use the item(s) or donate them. When I started I noticed I was grabbing “deals” just to gain RR or ECB, but the items I would not have purchased before couponing. That made my husband unhappy with me because I was spending too much money on things we didn’t need. I have calmed down a bit.
I have started only buying things we don’t need if I can snag them for free or nearly free. For example, my local Kroger (Owen’s) has a sale this week. Using their sale special and coupons, I got 6 boxes of Ronzoni pasta for $1. We will definitely use it.
“I have started only buying things we don’t need if I can snag them for free or nearly free.”
I will do this for things we DON’T NEED if they can be donated. I really try to stick to items we will use. Also, I was able to pay $35 for $80 of groceries the other day, and that is an accomplishment because saving money is just that.
I try to get freebies that I know someone around me will use. Be it, my family or freinds, or something that can go in a box to donate to the troops or shelter. I just went through my closet and picked out two boxes of personal care products to send to the troops for Easter. I hope they enjoy the razors, deodorants and shampoos. They didn’t cost me very much and it makes a great donation.
First of all, yes I ALWAYS shop with cash only. My husband and I early on set up an agreement. I get an allotted amount every 2 weeks for the house, groceries, eating out etc. So when I go grocery shopping, I have my list 😉 in hand and all my coupons. I do get things for free when I don’t always need them, but then it goes to other family living right around me, if I don’t need it. Someone always does! I then save my receipt for the month, and at the end of the month, I like to see “where” my money goes to. And also in this way, my husband doesn’t care where I go to shop or what I’m spending money on as long as its in the budget (cash)!! We do NOT have credit cards. They waste your money, in my opinion. 😉
It definitely is hard not to get excited about every good deal. I have gotten better at not being impulsive and HAVING to have everything you mention. In the beginning, I found myself ordering things from sites I never would have even looked at and then cancelling them when I came to my senses. Now, I only go for the stuff I normally would anyway.
LOVE this post. lists are a big deal for me as well. makes me feel like i’ve accomplished a lot when it’s done.
1. yep, i’ll snag anything if it’s free.b/c there is someone who needs it and i can give it to them.
2. this sort of depends. if i eventually will need it, but it’s not currently on my list and i have the cash for it [like the wags’ vanity fair deal this week] then yes, i’ll snag it. b/c you know at some point this year, you’re gonna need those plates/napkins.
3. big budgeter here. we have a certain amount set aside for groceries and a certain amount for “deals” or certain stores. 🙂
4. no clutter here. we’re finding a good rotation with the “stuff”. there is not too much and you can’t see any of it if we don’t show it to you. but things come up all the time and we find ourselves giving more now!
5. the hubs is super-happy to be saving the dough. he loves it when i send an email with 18 items that i purchased for $3. he is ALWAYS impressed.
6. ha. didn’t read this one before i answered number 4.
I started “extreme” couponing (as I call it!) in November. I had read where it takes around 12 weeks to create your stockpile of goods. Well, I tend to take a bit longer than most, but finally when I got paid almost two weeks ago, I still had $229 in my account (when normally I would be broke or in the red)! Woo-hoo! I should have around that much more on Friday when we get paid again! So, I’ll have a balance of around $440! I showed my DH my balance the other day and I think the light finally went on for him! I have a long way to go before I can truly wear the frugal banner, but I’m getting there.
I was buying too many of your good deals, as you are quite the salesperson! Ha! But I have gotten much better at just looking at the deal and thinking someone can really benefit from that, but not me. So, I’m getting there! Thanks again for all you do!
This is a great thing to bring up! I keep cash in my wallet for all my grocery/toiletries/pet food items and when I run out of money I am done for the month. I have to admit though I find myself trying to think of “creative” ways to come up with more money to spend though like cashing in pop cans!!! My husband supports my crazy couponing, but his job (designated by me) is to let me know if I am buying something just because it’s on sale or I have a coupon for it that we don’t really need. It is really easy to get excited about all the deals out there and want to buy everything that seems like a good deal. I have to admit I have bought things I don’t need just because they were a good price or free, I just try to not make a habit out of it. My husband teases me that I need grocery store shelves in our garage because of all our stockpiles!! 🙂 🙂
As, what I consider “hip” grandma, I anxiously await the daily deals on hiptosave. I score lots of savings through coupons and the scenarios. However, many of the savings do not apply to my situation. I am not a young mom. I consider the site as a smorgasboard. I take advantage of the things that work for me in my life. The other things, I pass by. There’s something for everyone! Thanks Collin.
I agree with you on the “smorgasboard.” There are many deal posted by Collin that I do not get excited about (my kids are out of diapers, so I never pay attention to those posts), but there are so many more that work for my family. Thank you Collin! You do a FANTASTICAL job of showing us all of what’s available.
Will you snag anything if it is free? “Usually, if it is something I cannot use I made a box of stuff to donate (exaple, no kids so scrubbing buddies soap/johnson baby shampoo.”
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money? “If it is something that will get used.”
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? “No, I probably should though.”
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? “No.”
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? “I believe so, he told me the other day that he likes all the Right Guard deoderant I’ve gotten for free.”
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself? “I donate free stuff I do not need or cannot use.”
I’m getting better at walking away from a “great deal”… There is a “Great Deal” just around the corner if you pass from time to time. Leave some on the shelf for the next shopper. Share the fun….
I am new to this…and actually I started thinking last night…where will i put it all? Collin…where do you put it all? I have a garage and I see some people with hundreds of boxes of toothpaste and cereal on You tube. My garage in florida get too hot and not to mention the critters, besides…who needs all that? I think we need a blog about how to efficiently stockpile:) I also left a message…I think in the wrong place askling a question about rain checks…which I am new to. If you get a raincheck for a BOGO because they ran out of an item…Will they let you use an expired coupon when the item comes in? I shop at Publix…does anyone know? This is my first week couponing and I am pretty overwhelmed, but also on a coupon high!!! I have already did very well….thanks Collin! Your videos are soooo cute! I live in the Tampa Bay area. Maybe someday I will see you out shopping with your sister!
Wendy,
You are right, unless you have 12 teenagers to feed, NO ONE needs that much cereal! Those videos on You Tube crack me up, especially when you realize these women have more inventory than Walgreens! My advice is to re-purpose a closet, even if it’s in a bedroom. We are using a closet at the bottom of our basement stairs that used to store junk as a pantry. We also took all the sheets and blankets out of our linen closet, stored them in under-the-bed boxes, and now use this for our stockpile of toiletries, cleaners, and other household supplies. Hope that helps.
Collin…what a great post!! I have to say that it took me awhile to learn that there WILL ALWAYS be another deal… maybe even as early as …ummm … a couple minutes, lol. So, while it is tempting to do every deal, I think you do have to base it on a) need b) want … and c) donate-ability. Sometimes, even the $2 – $5 deals add up really quick … and you end up with a bunch of stuff you don’t need, and you spend more than you realized.
Have any of you seen that new show HOARDERS? … I have noticed on several episodes that there are some stock piles of couponing “frees” in the background…like the lady who had an endless supply of Finish Dishwashing Tabs (they kept finding boxes and boxes of them) … and the funniest part (to me) was that you couldn’t even see her dishwasher beneath all of the clutter.
One way that I decide if something “is worth it” … is I figure out how much time I would have to work to earn that item … and if it is worth it to me or not. Helps keep things in perspective, for sure!!
I love that you brought up this topic Collin… I definately love to shop, and finding deals is my hobby…I enjoy it. But, I can see where these deals could easily take over your life.
As with most things in life…moderation is key 😉
This is a great article! When I first became addicted to your site I was trying to get every deal that you mentioned, but then I realized it wasn’t doing me any good and I had to get myself in check.
Will you snag anything if it is free? It depends. If it is a free sample, I try to only get the things I might actually buy. If it is free because I used various coupons, then most likely I will go ahead and get it. If I can’t use it, I donate it to the charity that my company supports.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money? I think it depend on the situation. If you hadn’t intended to buy it, but it’s something that you have been wanting or will use all the time, or even something you can use as a gift, I think so. It’s only if you buy it and never use it that you don’t really save
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? Nope, but thanks for the idea because I probably need one.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? Not at all!
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? Not all of them. Only the ones I can justify.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself? I donate them if I’m not gonna use it or if it is close to expiring.
Will you snag anything if it is free?
****Yes, if it is something that I don’t use I donate it to charity.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money?
****I try not to do this and stick to a list. I am pretty disciplined about sticking to the list.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
****No, I am pretty disciplined about sticking to the list.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
****The box for donation gets donated each time it fills up so it does not take up much room.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
****Freebies – yes, great deals – not so much.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
****Yes, I donate the freebies I don’t use.
I just started couponing this year and yes, I think I suffer from the same problem. Already I have five big boxes full of stuff packed to the max of deals I have gotten from couponing. I used to always say, if it’s free, it’s me, but I do wonder how I am going to fit all of this stuff in my new apt. But I am always offering up my freebies for others to use because I like to give. About 60% of the stuff I get, I give away to people who actually use the brand, etc. I feel that if I have too much stuff and need to give it away, there is always charity!
If it is free – I will snag it. I can then donate the item to goodwill, my local foodbank, or someone who may want or need it if I have not use for it. I may also use the item for another purpose, eg – dish soap for refilling the kids bubbles, shampoo for bubbles in the tub.
As for the rest of the questions, I am a pantry stocker. I have to have it full, and if I can fill and re-fill with items on sale, I will. For years I have been canning and dehydrating fruits and veggies. However, there is no hiding items under the bed, in the closet, or anywhere other than the basement pantry shelves (not the floor) or my kitchen. Last month, I bought 30 frozen juices – (no I did not take the entire supply from Albies, I am concious of other shoppers) and found that I only had room for 22 in my freezer. I donated 8 to sick neighbors who needed certain types for feeding tubes and illnesses. I told them where they could come and get more if they needed. I have been couponing for only 2 months, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to help less fortunate people by clipping coupons and watching for sales. I feel a desperate need to do this as I see a bleak future financially with my family. I know we will never go hungry, other things will have to be sold.
My husband was bothered at first with all my deals, but when I explained to him the price – eg, I bought 10 bags of chips for less than it cost to buy the 2 he sent me to the store for – he’s dealing with it. As long as I can keep the house clean he is fine. My Dad loves to hear all my shopping stories, I think our favorite is the 77 cent trip to albies for 5 boxes of cereal and a box of saltines. Then I got my $4 cat on top of that. Whoot!
Thanks Collin for all your help – our neighbors and food banks appreciate it too!
I just started doing this this January and I have already stockpiled all non grocery items that we will need for the year. I always get excited when I see your deals, but try to reign in to buy everything on your posts.
I have also bought a large number of toiletries & pain relievers (most of the immediate family is old) for gifts when we go home to visit this year and I am starting a stash of free stuff that I will give away to our shelter for Easter.
I have no set budget, since I never bought that much, but now I am thinking that I may have to go to a cash only deal or just use one CC and stop at a set limit. But I have also received gift cards at Rite Aid and CVS for buying things and when I use them, I count them as free money. My husband is very proud when I spend 5$ and bring home 50 or 75$ worth of products and supports me.
If it’s free and available I will always snag it! I don’t believe that it is a good deal if I didn’t intend on buying it in the first place. I don’t have a certain amount of money to spend on that sstuff every month and I really should because we are making 2 very large house payments! Right now my house is a pretty good size so IF i put it away in good time it doesn’t seem to be clutterful…(is that even a word?) My husband does support it, unless it is something we don’t need and i bought tons of it. My sons school often has collections for people who need it and that is when I dwindle some of my stash, and it makes my son feel good about giving to people.
I think I am a little of both, I have a list and a budget and I stick to it as much as possible, but I do go a little nuts with the freebies! I have a million glade candles, razors and deoderant (just to name a few) left, even after giving away a ton for Christmas.
Will you snag anything if it is free? Just about. I will either donate it or give it away. But if I can’t do that, I leave it be.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money? It depends. I didn’t intend on EVER buying Smucker’s Uncrustables, but I got them free at Target, so I tried them. Turns out, my kids love them and they are an easy lunch. So now I’m not saving money 😉
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? I didn’t used to, but then I realized I was spending too much just to get a deal. Now I get $20 per week (if I chose) and that’s it. And the money doesn’t roll to the next week. Use it or lose it. I’ve learned there are good deals every week, so no need to try to get everyone.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? YES! But I hadn’t done my turning of stock for a while, so I did that over the weekend. I got a box and put everything in it I will not use before it expires so I can either donate it or give it away on freecycle.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? For the most part! He really likes that I open our mini store to all our friends and they can go shopping.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I definitely donate. No way I could use it all, and it is the only way I can give back. We don’t have funds to donate.
I try to snag as many freebies as possible throughout the year. The things that we do not use go directly to teens and children at Christmas. I have also collected free items (shampoo, deodorant, feminine items etc.) and gave them to the school nurse for kids that need them. Nothing goes unused!!!
I am a fairly new couponner…..only 6 weeks. I love it, and yes I am buying too many bathroom items……I know we can use them and I am passing some of the items on to family and friends who can use them, but my questions is……….how much should we stock? Is the toothpaste, shampoo, soap and deoderant gonna last a year in my closet?
i was actually just thinking about this last night. I realized I need to stop buying lotion for awhile because I have SOOOO much from all the deals lately. I do try to only buy items that I would have bought anyways. I don’t buy diapers and kiddie things since I don’t have any children. Sometimes I do get a little carried away but I try to stick to only stuff I KNOW I will use: food, paper products, and toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo will always get used. And if I notice that my stockpile is too big for me to realistically use, especially if the expiration is only a few months away, I will donate the items so they don’t go to waste.
Oh, and I too have a TON of Glade candles…and Glade Sense and Sprays!! hahaha
I am finally learning to “calm down” with my couponing, finally, after 6 months of doing it. I will get things that are free, if it is at a place I am going to anyways, just like anyone else, because we either donate the items, or we know someone who could use them! So why not, if it is FREE. My dh doesn’t mine, his only question is “where are we going to put these”. It is a hobby, and I love it, but you really do have to learn (after a while) to know what you need and will use, and what not to waste your time or money on, hard lesson, but I am learning!
Will you snag anything if it is free?
NO. Not if I have to do rebates or I have to make a special trip for it or do a lot of typing or filling out surveys. Otherwise yes and then I donate it.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money?
I make a list for the stores I use.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
I give myself 5 bucks a week for CVS.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
I just started so no.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I have been keeping most but have a donate basket I am filling up with free items.
Funny that you posted this because I am traveling in one hour to donate some toiletries to a food pantry. When something is free, remember you have to pay sales tax…so it is not always free.
It’s funny that you wrote this post because there are times that I’ve thought (not in a negative way) “Wow, Collin must be well off – she takes advantage of so many deals!” They’re always bargains but some are still more than I would spend on something I hadn’t been planning to buy anyway (Victoria Secret’s sweaters, $12 kid’s shoes, etc.)
Personally I’m very good at passing up deals for things we don’t need…a couple of times I’ve been too good and later wished I’d taken advantage of them after all, like the after-Christmas clearance baby toys I carried around Target then decided not to get since my then-5-month-old daughter didn’t play with toys much yet. Now that she’s older, I’ve paid full price for two toys similar to the ones I almost bought on sale …but I’ll know for next year!!
My husband and I hate clutter so I usually only buy/sign up for freebies if we’ll use them or I know someone who uses that product (like my mom)…or if they’re a money maker at CVS/Walgreens. I don’t get items just to donate them. I know most people feel diferently, but to me, it’s not all that generous to give away something that I didn’t pay for to begin with.
My husband used to (lovingly) tease me about my coupons…until he started to buy a razor at Wal-Mart and I told him I already had several at home. When he saw that I had 3-4 unopened battery powered Gillette Fusions under the sink he exclaimed “But these are the expensive kind!” I replied “Yup, which is why it’s even better that they were less than $1.” I haven’t heard anything negative since then 🙂
I recently did a post on my blog about maintaining balance because I also found that I was getting upset and anxious if I couldn’t get out there and get every deal. I do try to get the freebies because I have many families in my life that I like to bless with these items. I’m still trying to find a system that works best for me. I am NOT a list maker but am feeling like I should start!
Will you snag anything if it is free?
I snag each and every freebie I can. If I can’t use it I donate to women’s shelters or other worthy causes.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money?
I only snag great deals if we use it. I keep check as to what I have on hand. We now have about 10 tubes of toothpaste so I’ve stopped buying it no matter how cheap it is. Every penny counts in our budget.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
I spend about $10 a month on non food good deals.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
I have one closet that I designated to my stockpile. I only allow a certain numer of each items. 10 toothpastes, 6 shampoos etc. This enables me to not have loads of stuff taking up too much space.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
I think my husband gets tired of hearing about my finds so half the time I keep them to myself.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I donate some, I give some to friends and family etc.
I do request ANY free sample that I think I will use. I do not get freebies using coupons unless I am going to use them. I think it’s a little crazy (and I get annoyed) when someone has 12 of the free body washes in their shopping cart! I only use RR and ECB if I can roll them. I shop with cash and I just take out a certain amount of cash each time I get paid and when it’s gone, it’s gone. If there’s some left over, it just goes towards the next pay period.
when i ask myself if I really need ANOTHER tube of toothpaste from CVS, I say YES!! because I spend $3.99 and get back a $3.99 ECB that I use to buy things that never have coupons and I really need like milk, garbage bags, etc…So. Thank you Colgate and keep paying me to get the stuff I need anyway!!
Will you snag anything if it is free? Most of the time, yes. Somethings are just not usable or able to be given away and I leave those. Usually though I can ALWAYS find someone in my family or a friend who can use it if we don’t. Food is ALWAYS a yes because a pantry or Christian United Outreach will appreciate any brand/type of food you give them. 🙂
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money? If it is something we will eventually use that I might have to pay full price for later, yes I am saving money.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? No, I need to.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? A little. I have small packing boxes in categories with toothpaste, makeup, shampoo, etc that I go to when I run out. It’s like my own personal store! 🙂
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? Yes, he was kind of in disbelief at first when I started, so I took him to Rite Aid during their BOGO Covergirl promotion and also got some Pantene shampoo and conditioner and my out of pocket was $1.69 (that was all tax!) Then, he REALLY appreciated it.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself? I only donate or give away stuff my family doesn’t use.
Well one thing for sure…..everyone seems to be a savvy shopper and I completely agree with all the above comments. If you buy too much stuff and you don’t need it then you just end up wasting money instead of saving.
I normally make a list based on the sales and what I need and then after doing the coupon match ups, I take the list and the coupons related to stuff on the list . I leave the whole coupon binder at home…..just take the list related coupons with me for shopping. This way even if I am tempted to buy something I don’t buy because I left the coupons at home and there is no way I would pay the full price:)
I used to drive out to Target (15 min for me) multiple times when you updated your site with new deals. I think I went out there literally JUST for the free tiny baby shampoo. Since then I have realized two things…the baby shampoo is always plentiful at Target, and they issue tons of the coupons for ($1 off) free shampoo. Now to get control of my coupon stash….oh my….
NO, I do not get all the great deals, even if they are free! Because I consider tax when buying all the frees. Now that I’ve gotten my oop down, I think about tax when making purchases. If I check out 20 times a week, and spend, save $2.00 on “free” items because of low oop and tax, that can easily come to $40!!! We are working toward being debt free in our home, so this is very important to me, even if I am considering donating the items. I get a “cash” budget each week, and use that cash to pay for everything. I do have a nice stockpile (family of 8 total) and I do have a designated place to store it. When I have enough of one item, I do not buy anymore until the stockpile is low enough to add to it.
I meant, “spend SAY $2.00 ON “free” items”
I totally agree. The sales tax adds up fast on “free” items, so you have to pay attention to that.
Funny–I was just thinking about this. I realized that I keep saying that I’m getting all these air fresheners for free (such as the ones at Target right now), when in fact I am paying tax on them. These are items that I never would have purchased before, so it’s not actually saving me a dime. Since last year, I’ve probably gotten twenty-five “free.” I thought about it and decided I really like having them in the bathroom, so I am willing to pay the tax. But if I cannot get them for free, I will no longer buy them.
I do have a pretty good stockpile of almost everything (food, HBA, paper products, soap, etc.), but I don’t think it’s overtaking my life. Yet. : ) My husband did say our bathroom shelves had more stock than most stores and asked that I move some of the overflow. I moved it to a really huge Rubbermaid container, and I’ve decided once I outgrow it, I have to stop buying HBA items and/or donate the overflow. It’s getting there!
I do pass up free items if (1) I don’t want to store them or (2) I don’t want or need them and they don’t fit into any shopping “plan” or (3) I don’t want to pay tax on them. I really rein myself in on the Glade products. Right now I pretty much limit myself to buying them only to roll my ECBs, although I would buy them elsewhere for overage. Likewise, I buy almost anything that gives overage–Rolaids, Schick razors, whatever I have coupons for.
I’m really not great about limiting myself (I don’t even really stick to a budget), but I do have some rules for myself that help to keep things under control: (1) I NEVER buy coupons and I rarely (maybe three to four times a year) buy multiple papers. I figure I get enough great deals without paying extra for coupons, which seems anathema anyway. I carry a subscription to the paper anyway, so that’s not anything extra out of pocket. (2) I roll both my ECBs and Rite Aid SCR money. This supports all my couponing for nonnecessities (like the umpteenth bottle of “free” shampoo). “Fun money” in other words. I figure I’m no longer working outside the home, so my Ann Taylor Loft shopping has seriously declined, and if I want to buy stuff I don’t need in order to get great prices on stuff I do need, then so be it. I’ll probably rethink CVSing once my CVS gift cards are gone (which will be awhile, seeing as how I’m still using the same $25 gift card since September, even though I go there nearly every week), and I’ll probably just switch over to Rite Aid, if their current programs continue, because cash never expires.
When I first started couponing last year I bought anything and everything just to use my coupons. It was fun, but now that I have a great stockpile I can wait to buy things when they are free or around a quarter.
1- I buy SOME things when they are FREE that I don’t need. I figure for the price of tax there will be friends or family that I can give it to. Especially food, toiletries and other needful things.
2- I am all about having a few things on hand for gifts, Christmas, payback for a friend babysitting, etc. So I will buy something even if I didn’t plan on it or need it.
3- No, but I really should have a budget.
4- Yes, deals are overtaking my house (in appropriate places) but I love it.
5- My husband doesn’t…as much. He’s a buy it when you need it kind of guy. But then he does love all the body wash, deoderant, razors, etc. that I get for him. Just not 20 of each. Ha, ha. I tell him not to worry…. (see next answer)
6- I have been giving to family and friends in need. It feels so good to finally be able to give little gifts to family and NOT GO INTO DEBT. Especially around Christmas time.
I have been couponing for YEARS but have just gotten the “Collin Bug” I have been using coupons like I never knew before and with her help finding all the deals esp the free ones. I not only get the free deals but I have also been getting the deals that are practically free. I actually have tried new foods (that I now like) which I would have never tried. I have LOVED giving away a lot of the things I have been buying and love buying discounted things for people that I know who need them.
Not overstocked yet but hope that I will be able to continue to give stuff away. Not on set budget yet. But looking forward to the day when I can just keep recycling my money (ie, Rebates and Rewards)
My family LOVES the deals I get especially when the kids get gum and junkie stuff I would not normally buy w/o coupon. My husband was a little upset Sun when I would not buy Frank’s red hot while we were at the grocery store because I DIDN’T have my coupon!!! 😉
Will you snag anything if it is free?
I am all for freebies. I either save them for a donation (my couponing friends and I are currently working on a “beauty” basket for our church’s school auction) or I give them to someone who could use it but doesn’t coupon. I love using them to get my total to $25 or $20 when using Rite Aid $ off a purchase coupons.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money? It depends. Sometimes I buy more of something I don’t quite need yet because I have noticed the sales/coupon cycles for that item. If it is something useless to us or not part of our goals, then it is not a good deal.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
I have found it hard to stay within a particular budget for particular items because I don’t always know what good deals I will come across each month. So I have started to just lump together all of my grocery/household/clothing/extras/restaurant/etc money into one pool. That way, if I want to forego eating out or forego a new shirt for a food or toiletry deal, it doesn’t make me feel guilty,
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? I have a small house, so it can be a problem. I have allotted certain areas (including my linen closet, an extra closet in my older son’s room with Ikea hanging sorters, my laundry closet and a cutely painted dresser in my living room) for different types of items. My gift items go in the closet, my extra food in the linen closet … I am going to eventually add upper and lower cabinets and a large pantry to the half of our repurposed garage that I turned into an office.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? He doesn’t particularly like going with me to do the deals, but my husband is very good about it…until he gets with all of my couponing friends’ husbands and they have a good laugh at us! 🙂 We know that they all appreciate it, but they need their own support group!
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself? I donate quite a bit, and I am looking to do more in the future. I have only been doing this since last July or so. I finally feel like I know how to stock up for us, so I think I can spend more time collecting for those in need.
My MIL will buy ten items of something that costs fifty cents, but then she will give eight of them away. To me, that’s not saving money b/c you are not spending any less. Does this make sense? Am I wrong for thinking this way?
depends on how you look at it, SHE isn’t saving her money, but she’s saving money for the other’s she gives them to, AND she feels great by giving. Its a win win either way! plus it didn’t cost her a lot of money, so its a small donation and in her mind, a reward for her. 🙂
When I buy a $0.25 stick of deoderant, and then give it to my church’s food pantry, I think, “how much could the church have bought if I donated $0.25 in cash?” Since I can’t afford to tithe cash like I want, I tithe with my bargain finds instead. It sounds like your MIL has a generous heart!
When I buy a $0.25 stick of deoderant, and then give it to my church’s food pantry, I think, “how much could the church have bought if I donated $0.25 in cash?” Since I can’t afford to tithe cash like I want, I tithe with my bargain finds instead. It sounds like your MIL has a generous heart!
That’s awesome! I never thought of it like that 🙂 I might have to follow in y’alls footsteps!
Thanks Collin for article! It’s a great self-check to make sure you are not going overboard on bargain shopping. I am an “extreme couponer” but I have learned to cut down on buying things I do not need or can not donate. With the help of coupons, I have been able to donate so many items for little to no cost to me. Couponing has been a blessing to me. I know once I have a family I will be able to put my skills to great use!
I will get anything that is free, because if I don’t use it, I do know someone who will, or someone who I can donate it to. 🙂 I always use my credit card as I get credit card points for every purchase, I use it on a $0.90 purchase even! However, we do live within our budget, so I always pay off this credit card every month, so I’m making my money work for me! We make up to $700 a year on credit card points, turned in to gift cards. Love it! 🙂
I am however going to start the list idea. I need lists to keep me on track, I started doing shopping list for Target and Wags, they help me remember which deals to snag. And I have a small section of my closet that I store all my gifts, I have grocery bags for each person that I started a gift basket for and add items as I go. My hubby loves all the great deals, sometimes he gets tired of hearing about my deals over and over, because I tell him, then my friends, relatives ect. so sometimes he hears it 3-9 times. lol. He’s really enjoying all the free body washes I’ve snagged over the past month! 🙂 Thanks Collin!
There ya go! We do the same thing with the credit cards. As long as you pay them off EVERY month, they can work for you. Kids got a PS3 for Christmas this year and it didn’t cost us an extra dime out of pocket. I just keep a separate checkbook ledger and put $X in the balance side and deduct the receipts as I get them. That way I never accidently go over budget even using credit.
I have a paypal debit that earns what credit cards earn.
I just do not see the point of having credit cards these days.
Think about the statement they make.
Either
a) you don’t have the money today and for some reason you will 30 days from now or
b) you have the money today and could still be earning rewards through a pay-as-you-go system
Even with paying them off at the end of the month, the potential to spend is still there. No one is disciplined 100% of the time, especially if they are married.
As for emergencies, they have a way of working themselves out, with or without a credit card.
I have a paypal debit that earns what credit cards earn.
I just do not see the point of having credit cards these days.
Think about the statement they make.
Either
a) you don’t have the money today and for some reason you will 30 days from now or
b) you have the money today and could still be earning rewards through a pay-as-you-go system
Even with paying them off at the end of the month, the potential to spend is still there. No one is disciplined 100% of the time, especially if they are married.
As for emergencies, they have a way of working themselves out, with or without a credit card.
Will you snag anything if it is free?/Do you donate/Clutter? — Yes, pretty much I will get it if it’s free or almost free. I donate what I don’t need. I have 2 boxes in my closet — one for toiletries/foods to donate to the food bank and the other with cheap/free cleaning supplies to donate to the animal shelter.
If the great deal that you snag is something you hadn’t intended to buy in the first place then are you really saving any money? — Nope. I try to avoid that. I don’t order coupon inserts or anything so I can’t do all the really crazy deals I see posted. I just get inserts from my paper and the ones my mom doesn’t want from hers.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? — No, but this is a good idea. I think I’ll start.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? — Sort of. He’s amazed when I come home and show him a bag full of stuff I got for free or super cheap.
I absoutely will NOT snag anything that is free, espl Just because it’s free, I need to be going that way and know the product. Then I will get it but not always, I donate things I don’t necessarly want or need.
We don’t have a budget here, If we want or need it we go get it, simple as that.
I can pretty much find a place out of sight to store all the goodies I’m snagging and if I get too much there is always a place to donate or somebody to share with, it’s just that simple.
My husband thinks it’s awesome that I can get stuff for free or super cheap. I espl. like it when he is with me and he actually sees me doing my deals. If he isn’t with me I usually always show him the receipt or I make a post on my blog and he sees it there.
I’ve only been doing this for a few months, so I’m still learning, but I have built a nice stockpile in that time. One thing I have learned is that there are some things that I should NOT stockpile. Having extra snacks, junk food, and alcohol, for example, increases consumption of these items in my house, so the trade off for a good deal or freebie on these items just isn’t worth it. Since I don’t put more or less toothpaste on my brush depending on how many tubes are in the drawer, I’m fine with picking up free toothpaste until I run out of room or otherwise decide I’ve had enough. I have a similar attitude with other non-perishable items that we consume steadily. If an item is free or creates small overage, I will buy it if I have an intended receipent or if I can add it to the gift closet, otherwise, I usually leave it on the shelf.
Cool post – here’s my answers…
1. I will take almost anything that’s free. I figure, I may not need it, but I know people who do (diapers, sanitary pads, etc).
2. I get my coupons with 2 things in mind, A. it’s something we use anyway, so yes I’ll take the savings, and B. if it turns out to be a free or under $.50 item because of the coupons, sales, stacking, etc, I’ll get it and use it or pass it to a friend.
3. No I don’t have a set amount per week or month.
4. No they don’t take over my house, but the joke in my house is that my hubby will look in the pantry or fridge and say he can see the back FINALLY and not to buy anything more until we’re empty and I immediatly have an urge to fill it up again with free or almost free stuff that we will always use anyway.
5. Not really, he likes the deals, but doesn’t like that we never completely run out of food. Allthough I don’t get that theory. Why pay full price for something just because we are finally out of it and need it. Why not stockpile 2-5 of an item at free or super cheap, then when we get down to 1-2 again, stockpile again?
6. I keep a majority for us because things are really bad for us financially right now, but I also give a lot to one of the girls I work with that is also suffering financially and also to one of my neighbors who is also struggling.
Finally, I don’t stockpile ridiculous amounts of anything because I know that about every 12-24 weeks or so, everything will be on sale again. I mean do you really thing your going to use 15 bottles of shampoo or body wash before 6 months gets here again, I don’t think so. LOL. 😀 Thanks for the opportunity to tell how we all do our own things in this couponing world we all love so much!!
I don’t get running out of food completely, either.