The Coupon "Rush"…
As I walk up to the register, my hands start to tremble and my heart starts to beat. My eyes are moving around quickly… I am trying to catch at least a glimpse of each cashier. The cashiers that look the most promising get yet another glance from me. Oh who should I choose… decisions, decisions. As I walk closer to the cash registers, my breathing picks up speed and the sweating starts to ensue. Yes, I am getting near the point of what I like to call “Coupon Chaos”.
I choose the cashier, the hardest decision of all, a guy in his early 20s who looks as though he just came from the beach. He smiles and I begin to nervously chat… I am not sure what exactly I’m saying, but things are definitely coming out of my mouth. With each item I put on the belt, my talking (if that’s what you want to call it) picks up pace. Soon enough, I have to completely stop as I’m running out of breath! Oh, I am so close to the finish line.
The “surfer dude” (the young cashier who appears to have come from the beach) lets me know my total… my very high total I might add! As my hand shakes, I smile nervously and pull out my coupons. The mountain of coupons I’m pulling out don’t all make it on the counter, so I bend down to pick up the ones that have taken the plunge to the ground. As I bend over, I am so thankful that I chose to wear a long shirt as I am wearing low-rise jeans and well, bending over and low-rise jeans don’t really go together. 😉
As I hand him the coupons, one by one, yes, I am that anal… I notice the person behind me. A lady in her mid 30s with a in-a-hurry look on her face. She glances at my large pile of coupons and has a very confused look on her face. As the coupons keep getting scanned, I can feel the tension build up behind me. Finally, I hear her high heels tapping the ground with force… she wants me to know that I have inconvenienced her day in a big way. I ignore her knowing that I’m almost there… I am at the home stretch.
As the “surfer dude” scans my last coupon, I let out a large exhale. Phew… I feel like I’ve just run a marathon! The ‘Surfer dude” states, “Wow! You saved $91.50 and your grand total is just $2.39.” I smile slowly trying to contain my excitement and pull out my money. I am able to give him the exact change. He hands me the receipt as my smile grows. I stand there with pride as I look up and down that magnificently long piece of paper. Life is good!
As I leave the store, I know beyond any reasonable doubt that every part of getting to the moment of victory is so worth it in the end. And now I can head home with my head held high and brag to anyone who will listen.
HAHAHA! I have so been there!
Great job.
Unfortunately, I live in an area where there are zero stores that automatically double coupons. I can’t score deals like that.
My best would be the 178.00 total I paid 36.00 for at Albertsons (w/o doublers) or Safeway 180.00 original, paid 65.00. That had corned beef and bread which had No coupons.
50% off is a deal for me at target as well.
Everything you wrote happened to me yesterday at target! I get so nervous my hands start to shake. I always feel like I robbed the store!LOL I start dropping things after I leave and rush to the car like a bandit!LOL
Hahaha me too, like the Ikea commercial!! Sometimes I turn to my bf as we’re walking out and whisper “START THE CAR!! START THE CAR!!” hehehe
LOL!!! I feel the same way when I have a great high item low price experience!
You guys are halarious…but it sure does feel good to know Im not the only one.I always get so nervous. Its rather stupid. We arent doing anything wrong.
OMG me too. I love that commencial. hehe
Betty, I love that commercial! I do the same thing with my husband: “start the car! start the car!”
lol… I <3 it!!!!!!!!
Collin did u write this? If so,…..KUDOS!!!!!!!
Oh how I love this! This is my shopping trip everytime. Scoping out the cashiers and being nervous! LOVE IT
Well written because it made me feel that rush all over again-just last week saving $105 at the register and feeling guilty and then that rush of excitement-very cool
Beautifully written!
Boy oh boy …… you nailed it!!
This is so me when I have more than 10 coupons. You always make me laugh!
I love this. Its so true. We are nervous as if we are doing something wrong. I’m more uncomfortable about the attitude of the cashier and other shoppers but the benefits outweigh the risks. You know the risk that I may have to deal with a rude look or snide comment, or someone acting as if I somehow manipulated the system. or the stores employees acting as if we’re literally robbing them and they aren’t being fully compensated for each and every coupon from the manufacturer. I’m happy when I get away with only a few side glares, and get home and see all the money I saved.
Love it! Collin, you are too adorable.
Not every younger guy is a sure thing at the checkout- at Target I have had 1 bad experience with questioning every coupon and making me find items that he just bagged to prove I bought them and it was a young guy! I don’t know if he was new or what!
I LOVE this post!! So very true! Only other couponers understand!
The only time I ever save tons of money is when I go into like a Rite Aid or something with a shopping list. My grocery shopping trips that I make twice a month are still pretty high. Im wondering if it’s because I shop at WinCo where there are no coupons and everything is already cheap?? Would I really save more money if I shopped at Safeway or Albertson’s?? My Safeway doesn’t double! Please share your thoughts! 🙂
There used to be Albertsons here where I live. I was sad last year when they closed down. When I went to a class a couple years ago the lady teaching it said Albertsons has some of the highest prices but when they have a deal you can’t beat it. I thought it was a great comment and so true. When they decide to do awesome deals like 10 for $10 and you have coupons to use on top of that it really can be awesome!
Well, I do go into the other grocery stores for a few specific items, especially when Albertson’s has doublers, but I would like to figure out how to save that much money on a regular trip to the store!
Being new to the coupon world; I’ve been doing the little transactions at CVS, RA, etc but I decided to try a bigger venture at Target. I left Target yesterday with $113.40 and paid $ 72 38 plus rec’d a 5.00 GC. What a rush!! My cashier was very nice and shocked and wanted your web address. 🙂 Thanks Collin all the couponers; you guys really take alot of th guess work out it. P.S. when I grow up I want to be just like Collin :).
I often feel the same way as you described….you as those before said, nailed it!!
Not to mention that the in-a-hurry chick behind you probably said, in amazement, “how did you DO that?”
Exactly. I would look back at here with that “Try and beat that!” attitude.
LOVE this!!
That was so funny. I feel the same way when I go up to the cashiers!
Boy have I been there!!!!!
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN!!! Go Get’em girl! Love it! Absolutely ADDICTIVE feeling!
Addictive is the word…and look at Collin she looks a little cracked up…or cracked out!! I mean that in a funny way not insulting! But we can all feel and look that way sometimes!!
HAHAHAHAHA, oh my gosh, Collin you sure are an amazing writer!! It’s been 6 months since I started couponing and I still feel like that…sometimes I sweat(especially my hands) if I have many coupons as I nervously check each cashiers…and yes, NOT all young guy(surf dudes lol) cashiers are nice!
OMG!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!! I JUST READ IT TO MY HUSBAND AND EVEN HE WAS ROLLING ON THE FLOOR. I LOVE IT ALL, BUT I MUST ADMIT, THE FIRST TWO PARAGRAPHS ARE STINKING HILARIOUS!! I WAS LITERALLY LOLOL-ING!! I
I went into CVS, they had the Purex wash and toss detergent from $8.79 down to $3.99 and I had a $3.00 off coupon, even the cashier smile and said good job, nothing like paying under a buck for detergent
does that nervous feeling EVER go away? lol. I thought I was just a chatty, clumsy, sweaty freak – looks like I’m just another coupon freak! ha ha ha ha.
I can so relate…….great shopping trip, by the way!!
Way to go, Collin! It’s hard for me to do that well (maybe cause I usually bring hubby?!) But we did get a “Wow, you did great!” from the lady behind us in line at Homeland yesterday. (Saved $43.46, 49% off total) I LOVE it!
I also find that young clueless guys are usually the best cashiers. 🙂 The worst are old ladies. Has anobody else noticed this tendency? 🙂
Definitely!!! I have definitely found that at my local Walmart. Thankfully, we have a small college in town so we have lots of young cashiers to chose from!!
I also find that young guys are the best cashiers for couponers. 🙂 The worst are old ladies. Has anybody else noticed such tendency? 🙂
Yes very true…I went to an old lady at CVS on Saturday. I only had 5 items and she went through my coupons like I was committing a crime!
I had one at Walgreens on Sunday. I went in to purchase the Clearasil with my $2 coupon. She actually propped herself up on the counter with both elbows and proceeded to read the coupon word for word! She said, huh this is a new one on me this has a name at the top and can only be used in this household; then she asks me if I am said person. I thought she was going to ID me for a coupon (keep in mind the line is growing by leaps and bounds as she is still “mulling” over my single coupon). Finally, she heaves a big sigh and scans my coupon. I paid my $1.73, my receipt & RR are printing; I am thinking whew I am glad that is over, then she sees my RR…. She pulls it off and begins to read it and comments that I got more back than I spent. I just smiled & said, “yes ma’am, isn’t that great!”, to which she replied well I really don’t have time for coupons and all that mess. I felt like snatching it out of her hand and fleeing like a thief in the night.
If anyone should have felt like a thief it’s your cashier, for all the time she wasted for you and the other people in line. Though, I can understand when they inspect every coupon like you are trying to cash a million dollar check – it’s their job after all. What really gets to me is when they don’t take pefectly legitimate coupons based on some ridiclous resons of their own (like the product is not shown in the picture or you can’t match store coupons with manufacturer’s because it’s two coupons per item!). And to some reason BS like that is more likely to happen when the cashier is an old lady. Maybe we should all start referring them to Collin’s site so they can start saving money too and wouldn’t get so upset when somebody else does it?
Yes! Old ladies are the worst when it comes to coupons. I am not sure why but it is annoying. There is one older lady at the Rite Aid where I shop that is wonderful and very nice but she does go through all the coupons and match up all the items and that is ok with me. It jusst makes me mad when they act like you are trying to steal or something.
LOL! Boy that is the truth!
I felt just like this today when I paid 6.71. for $80 worth of groceries. I was just waiting for the cashier to say something. He didn’t but I was nervous also.
That’s awesome. When I get to the cashier, I feel my throat tighten and I can’t talk, my breathing speeds up, and I break out into a sweat. I just stare at the register praying everything goes smoothly. Some cashiers look at me, like I’m going to go crazy on them. LOL. But here is the difference; I only have a few coupons, I still didn’t save as much, and my husband drives me crazy with buying things without coupons!!! I would LOVE, LOVE to have hundred dollars of groceries and only spend two bucks!! I’m still learning, and I love your site!! I just wish one day…
Girl you’ve got to leave that husband at home! Mine is always throwing things in the basket. Sigh…
I am laughing hysterically over here (which I’m thankful for because it’s been one of those days). I’m a very shaky person naturally…add a coupon high to that and it’s quite a site! ha ha I always feel like they must think I’m trying to do something wrong because I shake so bad. You always make me laugh. Especially you’re comment on bending over and low rise jeans not being a good match. HILARIOUS!
And I thought I was the only one!! 🙂
I totally babble at checkout. I get goofy at that very point in time and can’t help it. It keeps things light.
So well put… can totally relate!!! You are HILARIOUS!! Thanks for all you do …saving money and chuckles too. (:
Collin, this post is exactly why your blog is my absolute favorite. I feel that you can relate to all of us! You are one of us! 🙂
Now you need to have a follow up post of how you feel when the cashier tells you they don’t accept internet printable coupons and you end up spending more money than you had wanted to! Ohhh the joys! 🙂 hehe
The only thing I would have added…a smile at the lady behind you. LOVE this post!!
Awesome Collin, You really are amazing. Had the same feeling yesterday when I doubled over 14 coupons along with store coupons at Bi-lo, along with three free items because of their scan policy, Bill was $72.17, paid 10.19. So happy. Chose a young man who was flirting with a customer. Awesome, keep it up. We love you. Susan
LOL, couponing is hard work. I tried couponing a few times at Target and the cashier always gets something wrong. I find out after I check the receipt, then it’s “you have to go to customer service” etc.
Wow, have you ever written a book? If not ,I think you should. I felt like I wanted to hear more , like what happened when you got home and did you make a meal with anything purchased ? Keep going…. LOL .
Love it and I’ve done it!!
Awesome Job Collin!!!! I just started couponing in October. I have saved a lot since then. But i still cannot go in the store getting, say $80 worth of stuff for $2. I just dont know how u do it. Especially on Groceries. I find alot of things that have coupons would make me spend more in the long run , because i dont mind getting off brand things!! Im stuck!!
Braaaaaavo, Collin!!!! So PERFECTLY written! But I can’t believe a coupon pro like YOU gets nervous like that. Guess I’m not the only one.
You know, the best part, tho, is that if you had turned around after paying, I bet that impatient lady behind you was standing there, eyes wide and jaw gaping in disbelief when she heard your total. That is always my secret guilty pleasure, hoping to make that angry person behind me rethink their way of life, and making them just a little jealous of my miniscule oop. 🙂
I feel like you wrote this about me!!!
Does anyone else to use the self check out better? I know that is all I use at Kroger and Walmart.
Hahahahahahahahaha sooo true! =]
I can sooooo relate! 🙂
wow im feeling part of this family lol…i thought that happen to me only …so funny but NOT A CRIME we only saving our $ lol
Love this story! It describes my every visit to the grocery store these days! I had to laugh out loud……..my best score was paying 17% for my groceries at Publix a couple of weeks ago when all the “bargain” stars were aligned!
so true!!
I REALLY wish we could pick a cashier at the commissary. I had a horrible one the other day.
I get it…. I use the you scan.