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?
It can get crazy. I have had to cut back on what I buy. Hoarding can be a very serious disorder if your not careful. I like to donate extras on cereal, shampoo, etc. When my daughter’s school had a toiletries drive last year, she was so excited to give so so much!
Yes, those smart savers that clear out shelves because they have 20 coupons for items are trying to fill some psychological need from their early childhood LOL! Don’t get upset with me couponers. Just be conscientious please 🙂
well if its free sure Ill try it why not but I do keep friends in mind hey you need xyz i have it! makeup who needs mascara i got it.. If im getting it free and im getting a rebate on and making money of course I buy as much as i can (coupons) and then I give them to my friends.. There are girls across the street ill give make up too and even cough med’s/rolaids /even benefiber I died laughing when she looked in the bag I said I dont know if you have issues but always good to have.. I gave my neighbor about 30.00 worth of stuff that I just had no room for and why not give it to someone and pay it forwad :)….. everyone needs to cut back these days and if i can help someone else out i will..I remember i did the prell deal for Rite Aid and gave the rest to the homeless shelter.. so I think yeah get it if its free you cant use it someone else can!!
I have $120 a week to spend on food, toiletries, diapers, cleaning products, etc. (For a family of 5 and a childcare) I take this out in cash and it’s in an envelope with a label. Once the money is gone it’s gone.
I do however almost always buy something if it’s free. I have a storage room that we use to keep enough food and supplies for us. Our goal is to have enough for 1 whole year and i’m not even close. So I don’t feel guilty about stock piling anything right now as long as it doesn’t go bad anytime soon. If I get something that I know I will not use, I give it away. And I will not buy anything that I won’t use (unless it’s free) even with an excellent deal. That’s wasting my budgeted money.
Okay I do have issues. I wanted so bad to get my daughter the crocs cuz they were so cheap! But I forced myself to go look at the crocs she already owns to see if she really needs new ones, which she doesn’t. Although I am tempted to buy the next larger size and save them for next Year!
Will you snag anything if it is free?
YES, unless it is something I absolutely will not use (like, I am not a coffee drinker, so I’m not gonna pick up some free coffee)
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 I hadn’t intended to buy it, I wouldn’t spend more than a quarter or so on it. It has to be a really good deal.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
Again, I try to make things free or close to free. My store of choice is CVS, and with all my coupons and ECB’s, I have never spent more than $2 when I walk out of the store with all my goodies.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
YES! My husband and I are moving into a new house, and as I was packing things up, I realized my free body washes and shampoos filled a huge box! fortunately we already have a designated place in the new house where these things will go. 🙂
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
Yes, and thank goodness for that! He even went with me to Rite-Aid yesterday because I had to do two separate transactions. (Only to find out that they were all out of the Huggies I wanted!)
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I haven’t found a place near my town to donate things yet, and I’ll admit I’m kind of hoarding things right now because I am pregnant with my first baby, and I am waiting to donate things until I know what kind of things I will need to hang on to for the baby.
I usually get things that are free as long as we or someone I know can use it. My brother is thrilled with all of my dog food freebies!
I think it is very easy to become addicted to coupons/samples/freebies but I think the most important thing is to know yourself. Yes, when I see something that is free of course I am drawn to it. Who isn’t, but I think “is that something I am going to use or someone I know?” I am really good about gifts and thinking ahead. This year for my daughters Christmas and birthday I had to buy only one gift! It was great. I had the rest in the closet and it was nice because buying is spread out over the year, so I don’t get hit hard at once. I am always looking for a good deal but only if it fits my lifestyle. I got the $2.99 crock pot at Best Buy awhile bwack not because I needed it but because my sister just moved in with her boyfriend and is starting out with nothing. She is so happy with my find, it made her day!
The most important thing I have found is to know that I won’t spend money just because it is a good deal and I have to remind myself of that often!
I do pick up freebies, but I do share them with others friends, family members. I have started giving to local shelters, and nursing homes too. But my hubby does have a problem with all the paper towels and toilet paper we have in our closets.
I don’t grab every free deal. If I use it or will make use of it then I will probably get it. I sent ALOT of care packages to my sister in college and my husband’s brother. They love getting the chips ahoy and stuff that I won’t eat. They also love that whenever they are running low on toiletries that all they have to do is call. I may have an extreme amount of body washes that I didn’t pay a penny for, but when Christmas time comes we ask for all of the adopt a family gifts from work with personal care products and cleaning products. I am able to fill up the boxes with multiple items that would last them all year. I also donate often to any food drives or personal care drives. It helps my stockpile and make room for newer products. I joke that my laundry room, now basement looks like a convience store. But if I didn’t coupon and get these free items I wouldn’t have been able to save up the down payment for our new house. We saved the whole downpayment since Jan 1st and just bought the house! We lived off the stockpile for a couple of months and a budget of about $30 a month. It was fantastic and proved that all the deals I do get are worth my time!
I try not to fall for everything but I am guilty of sometimes buying something I don’t absolutely need! I do pick up free items if I am going to the store anyhow even if I don’t necessarily need them b/c someone will. I can either give it away to someone I know or donate it. I need to make a donation run soon b/c we are starting to get quite cluttered. I have recently stopped buying toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and razors since we have about 2 years worth. I am planning to put some of that in a HUGE Easter basket I am making for an unemployed friend (Easter basket will not = charity to them which helps it go over). My husband loves hearing about the savings but doesn’t shop with me (that’s best for our marriage). He may divorce me, however, if I buy 1 more box of cereal!!!!!!
I take a “pass” on almost all clothing, shoe, toy, furniture, decoration, and restaurant/fast food (except restaurant dot com) deals…even if they are free. Why? Well, my goal is to live frugally AND simply. I never bought/use most of these items before I started couponing and don’t feel the need to accumulate/use/frequent them just because they are free. I do stockpile some food, pharmacy, and personal care items. I will also snag these items, if free or low cost, even if I don’t use them because they are needed by our local food bank and women&children’s shelters. I wholeheartedly support the notion that everyone should do what is best for their own family/situation.
I try not to fall for everything but I am guilty of sometimes buying something I don’t absolutely need! I do pick up free items if I am going to the store anyhow even if I don’t necessarily need them b/c someone will. I can either give it away to someone I know or donate it. I need to make a donation run soon b/c we are starting to get quite cluttered. I have recently stopped buying toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and razors since we have about 2 years worth. I am planning to put some of that in a HUGE Easter basket I am making for an unemployed friend (Easter basket will not = charity to them which helps it go over). My husband loves hearing about the savings but doesn’t shop with me (that’s best for our marriage). He may divorce me, however, if I buy 1 more box of cereal!!!!!!
I have 1,119 diapers, about 2,000 wipes, and a whole baby wardrobe up to size 3t. (My son is 9 months old!) What do you think? Is this excessive? Sometimes I don’t know when to say no to the things I’ll always need.
Wow, that’s a lot of diapers and wipes. I bet they take up a lot of room.
I do not get everything b/c it’s free. Really just stuff I have tried or want to try or would use (different brand of shampoo etc).
Snagging a ‘deal’ when I didn’t plan to buy it in the first place is not really a deal—yet I have been guilty numerous times. I need to watch this more closely.
I don’t stock pile on most things (unless it’s a great deal) so I dont’ need to keep a list. I do know that I can stop buying Olay bodywash for awhile…!!!
As a reader said above..I need to stop running to target for a ‘new deal’ which may be a free travel size $1 item—-even if I NEEd it!!!
Some times time is more valuable than money I frequently skip freebies at drugstores because I just don’t have the time. I post tons of good on-line deals and only do about half of them myself. I have a specific limit monthly for my on-line and ebay purchases.
I will buy anything if it is FREE. If I am going to be near the store is at, I will go in and pick it up. If it is something I can’t use, I will find a home for it. I have already been able to use my stockpile of stuff for giveaways at Bunco night. I enjoy blessing others. If there is a deal and I was not planning on that item, but it is a great deal and I can find a purpose for it I will get it. For example I was not planning on buying 6 Strawberry Shortcakes today but they will make great gifts for the girls and save me money when I need to get them something. I do have a budget, we only pay cash so when its gone…that is it.
By couponing I have gotten more cosmetics than I ever owned and better beauty products than I have ever owned. Now when I shop for food I only spend an average of $30 a week which is a huge difference than the average family of 6.
I might have gone over board with the FREE Purex but when is it gonna be FREE again? Once I realized I had enough for 2.5 years I quit getting them even though I had more coupons.
I think that this is a struggle for many who are just starting out with couponing and saving money. My husband one time said that I needed to watch what I was spending in the name of a good deal. That was a reality check for me! If it’s something that we use that is free, I will try to snag it, or if it’s something that we do use but get money back on (as in ECBs or a rebate). However, I try to look away when something is a great deal, but it’s not something that we really use or need (unless I know someone else who will be able to use it). Overall, though, my husband is very proud of and happy with the money that I am learning to save by couponing and shopping sales/deals. I am still learning, though!
I can see becoming addicted to getting the “deals” I will get an item if it is “free” then I will either keep it or donate it out. I have made great efforts to have a stock pile on items and only get items if I have a coupon. I dont have a set amount of money set aside
I am having a hard time passing up any of the deals. I have worn my-self out to the point that I would rather go back to work how-ever the free soaps, shampoo, and body wash usually goes to my son in Afghanistan. I think he and his platoon are going to have all that they need to smell good.
The only things that I stock up on big time is wipes, diapers and toliet paper its something we are going to need for a long time. As far as free stuff goes if its something I use I will get it otherwise whats the point
Will you snag anything if it is free? No. Though when I first started it was hard not to! I do get stuff that’s free even if I don’t want it, if I think it’s something my kids or I can use as a gift. I keep a stash of gifts in a bag in the basement and it’s easy to find something when we need it. This is good for keeping the price down, but also because my kids always seem to come home with last minute birthday invites!
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? Not if you put it that way. But I sometimes buy things I wouldn’t normally if I get a good deal so that I can treat my kids or me. BOGO gum or candy is a perfect example. This is a easy way to treat my kids once-in-a-while without breaking the bank.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? Not for deals specifically, but I do have a budget for household, grocery, etc. items.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? No. I hate clutter! I have a set of shelves in my basement for my stockpile. I don’t buy stuff if I don’t have a place for it.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? Definitely! In fact, he’s quite impressed with my finds : )
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself? I donate some.
I only get free deals if I know we’ll use whatever it is.
I will only buy if we need it or use it. Unless of course it is free!! Who does not love a freebie!!!
If it’s food and it’s free, I’ll try it. I love getting the granola bar, cookies, chips free samples in the mail. Make for fun snacks to grab on the go to add to lunches. I’ve started avoiding the toiletry free samples simply because I have way too many shampoos and conditioners. Going to use up what I have until I can see the bottom of the drawer. Seriously, my fiance just found out we have 15 toothbrushes and even more floss!?! It’s a bit much for just 2 people.
I definatly went overboard when I started couponing. I spent way to much time going from store to store getting everything that was free/cheap. I made my self take a break from couponing to remember how much more time I had then I gradually started up again. Now I just get the stuff I want/need unless its free at a store I am already headed too. Couponing in great but it can take over you life.
I so completely agree with you, lol!
I do pick up most free items, even if they are not something to be used by my household.
For instance, I won 2 large containers of Maxwell House coffee and got both of them for my in-laws. They still can’t believe I find free stuff but they were happy.
Many things I am now able to get are things I did not formerly use, but only because I told myself we would have to live without them. And yes, we did, but I would rather have not. I used cheap soap instead of nice body wash for instance.
At first I was skeptical about free samples. Who wants to open a bunch of envelopes of teeny tiny products that won’t last for a couple of uses? But then I started seeing samples for things I really would like to try and my daughter is traveling this summer, so samples will be good for her.
There is almost always a use for items that are free or nearly free. Remember, many people do not spend their time getting deals and are doing without. If we can share with them and it costs us nothing, then why not?
I have done a few of Collins’ clothing deals and boy am I glad I did. None of us go forever without new clothing and shoes and my other alternatives are used or buy at Wal-Mart. I do have to make choices, though. I had an Avon order all ready to go, but didn’t go through with it so I could take advantage of another deal for the kids.
Christmas is always a lean time for me, and if something is inexpensive (like the scarves today) and would make a good all-purpose gift, of course I am going to snap it up! Less burden for me later, and as Collin shows us, half the battle of saving money is planning ahead.
However, I am running out of freezer space, so short of buying a freezer, I will have to eat what I have for awhile. At one time I considered getting rid of my freezer because I live close to so many grocery stores. Now I am determined to put my good deals in there without buying another freezer.
Hubby likes my deals and likes that I stock pile. He likes having a stocked pantry and lots of paper goods. He also likes that we are not struggling to buy basic items such as razor cartridges.
I have always liked restaurant coupons as we have tons of them near us and a night away from home every so often puts a new perspective on meal preparation.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with stocking up IF you will use the item. But I don’t think you should buy 10 and leave 2 (or 0) on the shelf. You should think of other consumers who are also trying to save.
I agree. There is nothing more frustrating than walking into Walgreens at 11:30AM to find that every item you went there for is already sold out. I have seen people clear a shelf and do as many transactions as needed to get the register rewards. Of course the only solution would be for Walgreens to start a program in which each customer would have to register for to get the register reward. Then they could limit how many items each person purchased. Otherwise if you want something on sale you have to get to the store as soon as it opens.
My local Kroger has started limiting the number of Internet coupons due to shelves being cleared.
I totally agree. I went to my local Meijer store last Saturday when they had their Campbells soup 3 for 33 cents LIMIT OF 12. Well I saw this lady in a self check out with 2 cases full of them. So she wouldn’t get charged for going over the limit of 12 she did the self check out, and by the time I got to the shelves there were 2 shelves bare to the bone. That I say is GREED. I’m sorry but whenever I can get a free item and my family of 6 isn’t going to use it, I donate and it usually goes to a food bank or shelter for abused women and their kids. I don’t care if it cost just cents, their are people out there that need it.
I totally agree! I know lots of couponers who do not think of others.
There are people out there with limited time to pick up needed items, such as diapers, toilet paper, deodorant, etc.
They should not be left without the one or two they need because people with coupons are “getting a good deal”.
I don’t think there’s much grocery stores can do. People can always come in the store again and again to get deals.
My Kroger prepares very well when they have a sale. For instance, when they had Kraft cheese for .99 I had never seen so much cheese! However, I have run into situations even there where nothing was on the shelf, and I don’t think it’s the store’s fault. It’s greed, which is one of the seven sins.
I think when I go in that I should be entitled to at least one or two, more if there is a huge stock, such as the cheese.
If I am fulfilling more than a present need, then I can come back later in the week.
The people who clear the shelves are setting a terrible example for their children.
Kroger does a pretty good job of putting the brakes on hoarders, I think. My stores limit two like coupons per transaction, so no single item is depleted by one person, especially for the Mega Sales. Although theoretically, I guess they could do multiple transactions. I wouldn’t, though. Better to fly under the radar.
I snag if it is something I would use or a family or friend. I don’t get everything if I don’t use it or have a good use for it!
I will usually grab most things if they’re free and if it’s something I won’t use then I give it away or give it as a gift to someone who I think will use it. Many things that are free we usually tend to use, plus it’s free so I feel like someone will benefit from it when I give it away. When I first started couponing I wanted to buy a lot and grab every deal I could find and then I realized that was being wasteful and overspending if we didn’t need the item to begin with or if it was something we might not use, so now I’ve got a pretty good handle on what’s a deal for me and what isn’t. I like stocking up on stuff that I do know we’ll use and things that we use frequently. Also, I have a good idea of all the foods we will and will not eat now, so I’m not buying any kind of food that will go to waste. Most of the deals we get are on food or health items, my hubby supports me finding good deals/freebies and using coupons because he has seen how much we have saved in our grocery/household bill. We have reduced the amount of money we spend on food and other small necessities like shampoo, soap and toothpaste. My deals aren’t overtaking our house because I do try to make sure we use up stuff before stocking up anymore and I try to make room for anything we’re storing for future use.
I try to stick with what we use or things that I know other will use that I can give away. Our church makes hygiene kits to give away so I stock up on soap & toothpaste and always have plenty on hand to donate. Yay!!! When the toys are inexpensive I snag the deals for birthday parties or the Christmas fill a fire truck toy drive.
As for storing everything…..most of my cupboards are full. We’ve definately had to clear out more space. We squeezed all the pots and pans into one cupboard so I could use the old one for more food. My husband is impressed with how much we are saving and that we are still eating/using the same things. Our grocery bill has been cut in half! He loves that I am having fun doing this too!!! He picked up something for me once using coupons when I couldn’t. Isn’t he great? Couponing and all the great deals you post have been a blessing. Thanks!
I’m pretty good about not snagging deals I don’t need, but I have several friends who have trouble passing up a deal. I think I’m partly good at it because I do have a family of 5 in a small home, so I have limited storage space.
I will snag a good deal if it’s something we’ll use and I don’t already have a significant supply stashed away. Sometimes I build up enough of something that I won’t snag another one unless it’s free. Then I’ll still go ahead and build a stash of my favorite items for free. It builds slower this way, but I’m already ahead of the game so it doesn’t matter. 🙂
I do pick up free items that I can donate either to my church’s food bank or to send in care packages to troops overseas. I also pick up free toiletries and feminine products for a home my mom’s group supports that helps women who are sex trafficking victims recover and get a new start. My mom’s group is mostly one-income families without a lot of extra income to donate, but a lot of us are good couponers, and donating items like this helps the home run while significantly cutting down on their costs.
So pretty much, I only get it if I’m willing to take up precious storage space with it or I am able to donate it immediately (getting it out of my precious storage space right away). 🙂
Will you snag anything if it is free?
No, but I will snag money-maker deals at a store where I’m shopping already even if I have no use for the item whatsoever. These two ideas trip people up. Paying $0.40 in sales tax and/or $1 in gas for an item I didn’t need, won’t use, and don’t have a place to store makes no sense, but sometimes buying that same item in a money-maker scenario could save me $1 on other things I really need.
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 is still a great deal if it saves me money on other things I would’ve bought anyway or can be used in place of something else I was planning to buy. For example, a great deal on energy efficient lightbulbs could save me more money in electricity than they cost or I could serve the “reduced for quick sale” pork chops I wasn’t planning to buy in place of another food item that I either don’t buy or save for later.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
No, but I use a cash envelope budget which helps me prioritize. One important point I have to keep in mind is that “cheap” isn’t the same as “good deal”. It is much better for me to spend $3 on a regularly $10 item that we need and use than to buy $3 worth of $0.10 dry potato mixes I don’t really like.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
I’ve been seriously couponing now long enough to have a better sense of what I will and won’t use in a certain amount of time. My price point for toothpaste now is that I only buy money-maker toothpaste deals and I am supplying my extended family as well as my own. I’m using my storage space efficiently and I’m giving away items when I end up with more than we will use.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
Yes, he loves the high quality free razors and the cheap/free snack food.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I donated a huge bag of pantry overstock at the last postal service food drive and I share the health & beauty extras with my family and friends.
My stepdaughter asked me how much cereal do we have, so we counted together. We have 19 boxes and one huge bag, plus a few of the individual cereal cups. This may not sound like a lot, but combined with our 30 boxes of pasta,10 boxes of macaroni and cheese, 8 bags of Planters trail mix, 14 packages of peanut butter crackers, 20 boxes of Toaster Strudels, etc etc etc in our small apartment…..*sigh* i do need to be more careful even if I’m getting a great deal.
Will you snag anything if it is free?
No, but I will snag money-maker deals at a store where I’m shopping already even if I have no use for the item whatsoever. These two ideas trip people up. Paying $0.40 in sales tax and/or $1 in gas for an item I didn’t need, won’t use, and don’t have a place to store makes no sense, but sometimes buying that same item in a money-maker scenario could save me $1 on other things I really need.
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 is still a great deal if it saves me money on other things I would’ve bought anyway or can be used in place of something else I was planning to buy. For example, a great deal on energy efficient lightbulbs could save me more money in electricity than they cost or I could serve the “reduced for quick sale” pork chops I wasn’t planning to buy in place of another food item that I either don’t buy or save for later.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
No, but I use a cash envelope budget which helps me prioritize. One important point I have to keep in mind is that “cheap” isn’t the same as “good deal”. It is much better for me to spend $3 on a regularly $10 item that we need and use than to buy $3 worth of $0.10 dry potato mixes I don’t really like.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
I’ve been seriously couponing now long enough to have a better sense of what I will and won’t use in a certain amount of time. My price point for toothpaste now is that I only buy money-maker toothpaste deals and I am supplying my extended family as well as my own. I’m using my storage space efficiently and I’m giving away items when I end up with more than we will use.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
Yes, he loves the high quality free razors and the cheap/free snack food.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I donated a huge bag of pantry overstock at the last postal service food drive and I share the health & beauty extras with my family and friends.
Will you snag anything if it is free?
No, but I will try out different brands or products of things that I do use when they are 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?
If it is something I need or my family uses – yes, it saves me in the long run.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
I just started a separate bank account and am putting in all my rebate money in it along with any other money I make related to couponing and one of my very small paychecks (I’m a SAHM but work 5 hrs a week), this is the account I will use for any of those “deals” like the free bead, and the $5.60 Old navy dress – things I do not need but want and are a great deal. I’m hoping to build it up so I am able to use it for groceries as well.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
I’ve got lots of space, I’m lucky!
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
Yes, he trusts my judgements (we’ve been married for 14 years and I always do the bills/budget.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I’ve donated some – to care packages for soldiers and to the food bank (boy scout food drive) – I really dont have that many freebies as I only get the stuff I use/my family uses, but if its deodorant, toothpaste, etc, I’ll keep getting them and donate them. I think its worth it.
I WILL NOT buy any more pillsbury biscuit dough, no matter how cheap (well, maybe if its a moneymaker, LOL) – I stocked up on one sale and found out, we do not like these!! I tried many different ways and that “taste” snuck through, blah. heehee….thats just me, I know lots of people love them.
I buy all the free kleenex i can and roll around it .. I clear every shelf i see
Too funny!
Will you snag anything if it is free?
No, but I will try out different brands or products of things that I do use when they are 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?
If it is something I need or my family uses – yes, it saves me in the long run.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)?
I just started a separate bank account and am putting in all my rebate money in it along with any other money I make related to couponing and one of my very small paychecks (I’m a SAHM but work 5 hrs a week), this is the account I will use for any of those “deals” like the free bead, and the $5.60 Old navy dress – things I do not need but want and are a great deal. I’m hoping to build it up so I am able to use it for groceries as well.
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)?
I’ve got lots of space, I’m lucky!
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies?
Yes, he trusts my judgements (we’ve been married for 14 years and I always do the bills/budget.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I’ve donated some – to care packages for soldiers and to the food bank (boy scout food drive) – I really dont have that many freebies as I only get the stuff I use/my family uses, but if its deodorant, toothpaste, etc, I’ll keep getting them and donate them. I think its worth it.
I WILL NOT buy any more pillsbury biscuit dough, no matter how cheap (well, maybe if its a moneymaker, LOL) – I stocked up on one sale and found out, we do not like these!! I tried many different ways and that “taste” snuck through, blah. heehee….thats just me, I know lots of people love them.
That is funny about the biscuits! I did that with Sun Crystals (the stevia/sugar sweetner) and ended up giving them all away! The taste was awful!
I appreciate this post because I think so many of us are guilty of this!-I know I am! Sometimes I get so obsessed with a freebie or deal and I drive out of my way to obtain it and always end up spending a ton of money there when I really didn’t need to! Did I really even need it? When I first started followind “deal” websites I soon realized that saving became a job and no longer something I enjoyed. It took time away from my family and became a little obsessive. I think it’s so important to keep in reality and not let it control your life if you don’t want it to. We all know that this can be a full time job if we let it! It’s so important to save in this economy but to not let it control us or become excessive.
Thanks for posting this! Each person has to decide what’s right for them and I won’t comment on what others buy but for me I have to have some limits. For example, I have a list of products that my family uses and I try to stock up to five of each. Anything extra gets donated or sold at our yard sale. I stick to a cash budget each week, allowing up to $20 to buy great deals and then spend $80-100 on groceries and HBA. I use rebates and earned gift cards/extra care bucks to keep up my hobby or when things are tight I burn them on milk. I enjoy my hobby but my time is worth something so I’m not going to run all over town either. I try to limit myself to 1 Rite Aid trip, 1 CVS trip and 1 extra grocery store trip and usually buy everything else at Aldi.
Will you snag anything if it is free? YES!
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’s something I’ll use in the longrun I think it’s fine. If I’m buying just to buy; no.
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? No.
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? Pretty much. It took him a while to get on-board, but now he gets just as excited as I do.
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself? I donate 1/4 of what I buy.
I started couponing last fall, and it was very exciting to get good deals, but I am getting pickier now. We are totally stocked up on most toiletry and pantry items. That means that I usually reconsider heading to the store to get a deal and sometimes decide it isn’t worth it. That said, I will pick up free or cheap items if I’m going to the store to get something else that is needed. It isn’t quite as fun as it was in the fall when I started! But, I have saved a lot of money and we have plenty. My husband supports it but is afraid to go to the store himself because he thinks he’ll mess up the deal. We do donate the excess. I try to spend less than $75 a week for our family of 4, but I am flexible about it.
Will you snag anything if it is free? No. I don’t. But, I will share about the deal or even hand over my coupons to someone else if I know that they would benefit from the deal.
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? Yes and no. If it is a food item that can replace something else on my menu or list then it is a good deal. If it is just something way out in left field that is just such a bargain….I’m not saving money. Hubby is a teacher…need to keep a tight reign on that budget!
Do you have a certain amount of money each month allotted for those great deals (i.e. $5, $10 etc.)? No. More of a %. I like for items to be around 75% off
Are all your great deals and finds overtaking your house (i.e. creating clutter and using up much needed space)? No. I have bins in the basement that I keep next season clothes in for my kids (which is mostly what I stock up on at sale prices) and so everything is out of sight.
Does your spouse or significant other support your need to snag all the great deals and freebies? YES!
Do you donate many of your freebies/great deals or do you keep them all for yourself?
I don’t donate as much as share. If I get a great deal I share with my friends.
I will pick up anything if it is truly free (not free AFTER ECB’s or something)..my sister just got laid off – so I told her to not buy any shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, toothpaste or bodywash…I HAVE HER COVERED:) Sent over a nice size goodie bag of stuff. I have given lotions, toothpastes, etc to people when they come over because they have wanted to try a particular brand or something. I do have a shelving unit in the basement – if I start to overflow from that I know I have to take it down a notch. I know a lot of you only use cash, but I only use a credit card – get the points for travel expenses- then just pay it off every month – no interest charges – no fees. It takes some discipline, but worth the points in our case. How many ‘deals’ I get each week depends on how much free time I have to snag them that week. Thanks Collin for posting everything because that really does save me time!
I was wondering just last night if I was going overboard on my spending. But after seeing it written out , I really don’t think I am. I spend the amount we allow our selves on donation but Thanks to you we have more to donate. I do buy more expensive things but cheaper then the cheap stuff. I am just starting to budget my spending.
If something is FREE, then I usually will pick it up, but I don’t make special trips for it uless I really NEED it! If something is FREE and I know I won’t use it, it goes in the donations tote for my local shelter or food pantry. I drop off my donations right around the first of every month! I don’t think I have ever bought something that has gone to waste!
The great deals are not over taking my house…I have a stockpile area in my basement and again, if I donate monthly, then it doesn’t get out of control. Multiple packages of Keebler Cookies last month at $.01 each (over the course of 4 weeks)…out the door to people in need! We only ate 1 package at my house!
I am new to couponing and have found myself tearing through town to snag every deal that there is. I now have an excess amount of bodywash/shampoo/conditioner and my son tells me that he applies deoderant to only 2 armpits per day and that I should NOT buy more anytime soon. I have started a box for all of my “FREE” items and will be making a donation to a local church as soon as it’s full. My husband thinks I am absolutely out of my mind with my lists and coupons, but he does not deal with monthly budgeting issues. He now knows to stay out of the kitchen on Sunday morning for fear of putting 1 coupon out of place :).
****Collin- I have heard that some overseas military bases are collecting expired coupons because the commissary will let the be utilized for a couple months after the expiration. If this is the case, are you able to provide us with mailing addresses ect….?
I have to admit, I do grab all the freebies I can get. If my family isn’t going to use them then they get donated to others who will. When I started couponing about a year ago I thought I had to try and get every great deal out there; so not true. I’m able to be much more pickier now and we have a lot less oop expense now because of it. Since losing my job two months ago we’re still ok financially and still enjoy everything we’ve grown to love. I have couponing to thank for that.
Pull-ups 9 packages He should be set for at least 3 more months.
SIze NB 6 packs and baby is still 9 weeks away.
SIze 1 10 packs
Size 2 10 packs
Size 3 5 packs
Wipes boxes 7
Wipes refills 4
Klennex 8 boxes
cereal 9 boxes and I have not bought any for two months with a family of 6.
Chips 6 bags
shampoo, razors, conditioners, soap at least enough for a year
Only thing I might really need to buy is dish soap, which I couldn’t get the coupon to print for yesterday, and baby formula as I have never been able to make enough milk to breastfeed alone. We make many gift baskets for others in need and I can honestly say that we are well stocked. Just sitting back and waiting for baby number 5 (9 weeks)to come and homeschooling to be over (4 weeks).
I do not grab every free deal that comes my way-but if it is a new item or an item we use you bet ya I am going to grab it. I plan weekly menus, shop my stockpile first, then make my list, if we need yogurt i search for the best sale that matches my coupons and that is the brand we eat for the week. i go grocery shopping once a week with about $45 bucks in cash to spend. I have tried to make a price list, i am not so good at that but I like all of my prices to be $1.00 or less, yes I have way to much cereal (which my brother shops my cereal aisle every once in a while), and enough free snuggle and all detergent to keep our clothes clean for years! Enough chex mix to send to school with my son for a month or two. I have had to come up with creative ways to store those items. My husband is very supportive, and asks me “how much did you rip off Walmart this time”, my extra money not spent for the week is going in our vacation fund. Once my shopping trip is over for the week its over!
I specifically go to stores to get free stuff that I won’t use. I donate stuff to our local womens and mens shelters. So, if I can get free baby wash, hair care samples, deodorant samples, toothbrushes, juice, etc… I will make a special trip – even if I don’t need anything. I just spent $.16 last night at Target, getting 9 free toothbrushes, and three monopoly games, and some samples – the cashier looked at me when I was done and said “Holy Cow! You just saved $41.06!” And all of that is going to charity. I felt pretty good about that.
Wow, totally awesome!! That must make you feel so good!