Extreme Couponing Affecting the Un-Extreme?
So, I received the following email from reader, Rashelle. She is feeling very discouraged about using coupons and even dreads going to the store. Here’s what she had to say:
Hi Collin, I know this may seem odd but I was wondering if you have heard from any readers that they have been feeling down about using coupons lately because I have. Ever since the “Extreme Couponing” show has been airing I feel myself getting looks from other customers. For example, I was at Toys ‘R’ Us the other day with my son and a lady in front of me had items that I had a store coupon for which I wasn’t going to use and I asked if she wanted it, she was very thankful and asked if I was sure I didn’t need it and my son said, don’t worry she has a whole binder of them at home, and her tone changed drastically as she said “Oh, you’re one of Those.”
I was in Publix last night doing my weekly coupon shopping and was flipping thru my binder when a couple of women walked past me, looked me up and down and then one said to the other “she’s loco” (crazy in Spanish) and at checkout a husband and wife came into line behind me at the end of my transaction while my coupons were being scanned and started talking very loudly about how the people on “that show” take advantage of shopping (and I didn’t even have a cart full of stuff).
There have been so many times lately when I feel glaring eyes upon me and I feel I need to justify myself to these people and say I am not a hoarder, I don’t have a small grocery store in my house, I am not clearing shelves, and so on, but of course I just smile and keep my mouth shut. I hate this feeling of being embarrassed and ashamed of my coupons because I use to be so proud and happy of all of my great savings and I don’t want this to ruin couponing for me, but it has left me very discouraged, and instead of being excited to do my weekly trip, I almost dread it. I was just wondering if I am the only one experiencing this behavior. Thanks for your time and for everything you do!
Since I cannot give you a hug (I so love hugs!) or tackle the stores with you, I am hoping that all of you readers can make Rashelle feel inspired to continue being proud to use her coupons! What ways have you motivated yourself in times of discouragement? How have you made your couponing adventures positive and fun?
I have noticed dirty looks and comments from other shoppers but when I turn around and tell them that I had a retail amount of $xxx and only paid $xxx…their jaws drop. I smile and show my huge binder of coupons and then they ask how the heck I do that. I then give them a quick lesson to them how they can save and educate them. Once they find out that I am not a hoarder and give them etiquette lessons of how to be a reasonable “couponer”, they thank me and tell me that they are going to start. I also have noticed more “couponers” in the stores and now we have emailed each other to make sure we don’t miss a new coupon or sale in the stores.
me and my family coupon but we only get enough to last us maybe a month. you never know when your world could be turned upside down. i hink when someone rolls there eyes and says ” are you couponing” maybee we should roll our eyes and ” are you paying full price!!! “
Hannah – love that. I’ve often wanted to say that to people who refuse to use coupons. It’s like seeing dollar bills laying on the ground and not picking them up in my opinion!
LOL!! “Are you paying full price?” LOVE IT!!! 🙂
I’ve been famous among my friends for years because of my bargain hunting skills. When I come back from vacations they want to hear about the deals I got before the places I visited. lol My last trip to Mexico, I got a silver ring with a fire opal for $5 and a leather wall hanging with the Mayan calendar painted on it for $7. 🙂
Usually my wife does the couponing, but sometimes I will go, especially if there are alot of coupons to use. Maybe they don’t look at me as much since I’m a guy, but sometimes they do and I tell them to go to another line….I’m going to be awhile. They’re already mad, I might as well have some fun with it.
I’m with you, they are already mad. The evil eye look is really only the bad taste of regret they taste going down like a bad medicine at realizing how much they just threw away or about to throw away.
I likin these kind of people to the ones who ride your bumper while driving. They want you to speed up or get over so they can be on their way but if you get pulled over by the cops & ticketed, the person urging you to speed up will not stop & pay your fines now will they? Same with the people getting irritated about waiting for your coupons to be scanned. Why should I not take the time to save money? Is the person behind me going to pay for my grocery bill? Doubt it! They can be irritated all they want, I’m the one responsible for managing my money, not them.
Hold your head up! You should not be embarassed or ashamed of doing something that’s good for you.
One day while in line; I was buying 24 pkgs of Carefree panty liners; this woman (two customers back) started complaining once she saw my coupons. She said “I don’t have time for this”, “I wish they would limit people with how many items they can buy”, etc. etc. When I was done I got out of line and stood aside. I had a question for something else that was on sale but didn’t want to hold up the customers. When the woman got to the register she kept on complaining. I got back in line behind her and when she wouldn’t stop complaining I finally spoke up. I told her “I guess you’ve never been poor enough to be in a situation where you would actually have to use coupons to be able to support your family.” She apparently has more money than she knows what to do with.
I would suggest that you hold your head up high and just smile. Who cares what they think. I certainly don’t care any more.
I’m going to do what needs to be done.
Just look at all the messages on this blog that are in support of Rachelle. Not bad to be in such good company.
Good Luck and Keep You Spirits Up!!!
I started using coupons in Feb 2011 as a young mom of 2 I need all the help I can get! I use coupons & I am always proud of my total & saving money! I think my daughter is my motivation! When I come home with little “prizes” she lights up!! Even when its just her favorite cereal I got .75 off!!! I know that I am saving money for my family and that .75 and those $1.00’s adds up & pretty fast too!!!! We use to live paycheck to paycheck now we live insert to insert!!!
I agree they are hoarders I get what my family needs. Most items go on sale every few weeks. You dont need 80 bottles of mustard. That is so crazy. I don’t watch the show it leaves me wanting not to use my coupons but I use coupons bc I know I save money and they are there for a reason.
agree
I do agree that the show has changed couponing and even how I coupon. Now I find myself pre pulling all my coupons from my binder at home prior to my shopping trip because I am getting so self consious about the stares I get and because of this I am feeling that I could be missing out on an overlooked matchup or on a clearance matchup. And also I have noticed since the show has been airing less and less people are amazed and commenting on my saving and more and more people are irritated by the “inconvinence” I am causing. Well I’m not going yo stop using coupons and if I was to win millions tomorrow I’d still be using them, might quit my job tho. Lol
You took the words out of my mouth! I actually went and bought a little binder and some more sleeves for when I go shopping…I just have to be okay with walking by the clearance section and not having my coupons…
Hi,
I live in NJ and I am just about discouraged as well. I get nasty looks from people in line behind me. Cashiers take each coupon and examine it to hold up the line to show what an inconvenience I am. Some Walgreens around here don’t even honor the store coupon policy and the managers back up the cashiers. It has been extremely frustrating. My husband said the show probably caused an influx in coupon users and the stores are getting aggravated. I don’t really know what to do. HOWEVER, there is one store who has given me inspiration to keep couponing. I was checking out at Rite Aid one day, and had an extremely frustrating transaction at Walgreens previously where they wouldn’t take any coupons on a B1G1. I was in a bad mood and just wanted to get what I needed (I had like 3 items and 3 coupons). The cashier was so nice and so helpful, I vented a little bit to him, asking if they minded the couponing. It turns out he was the manager and he said to me, “You come here, we want you as a customer, just come to Rite Aid.” I have since gone to Rite Aid a few times and had great experiences. I only go to Walgreens if I really need something on one of their sales and I go in there preparing to argue. *sigh*
There must be something about the Walgreens in NJ. I live there too and will not go to Walgreens any more because of the way they treated me when I used coupons. They wouldn’t accept them if the product I bought didn’t match the picture on the coupon – even if there were 5 other products listed below. I also had a Target store near when I work where the manager told me they only accept 7 coupons per transaction. She said each store had the right to make their own policies. I had a cart full of stuff and left it standing at the register. I then went to another Target where the lady at the customer service counter encouraged me to use as many coupons as I could and shook her head in disbelieve at the story I was told at the previous Target. Needless to say, that is the Target I shop at exclusively.
I have to agree, rite aid has gotten much better.
Keep in mind if you are not doing anything wrong, then there is nothing to be ashamed of! It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I get questions more than anything. Like “Have you seen that Extreme Couponing show?” So I happily give them my opinion on the shows highlighting people who hoard instead of stockpile and how it is ruining it for the people who are actually just trying to save their families some money. And honestly, I am too busy when I am in a store to worry about whether someone is looking at me to not.
I was behind someone at the grocery story the other day, and the person’s total bill was for a full cart $350.00. So, tell me, who is crazy, me with the coupon binder who is spending less than 1/4 of that amount, or the lady who could have perhaps saved money with coupons?
I would have fainted if my grocery bill was that much!
I could not agree more! Wish there was a “like” button! 🙂
I agree with many of the comments here, who cares what everyone else thinks. They don’t even know who you are. There was only one instance where I was annoyed and it had nothing to do with coupons it was food stamps or WIC. The young women went into a line that was 10 items or less and had probably about 30 items and the cashier could only scan a few items at a time with each food stamp/WIC. I think us as couponers we just need to be respectful of each other. If I have a bunch of coupons I go during the day when there is less people. I don’t do a ton of coupons, but I print out ones for stuff I use every day.
As someone who had to go on food stamps after being out of a job for almost a year, I know it can be frustrating. Using food stamps can be frustrating. I know I’ve had some cashiers who have been like ooooh you have THAT card. And its embarrassing. Please think of the person using WIC/Food stamps that might be all they can afford for an entire month. Just like we need to be respectful of couponers, we also need to be respectful with people on WIC/Food stamps because you never know why they might be on the program.
I use WIC, but not food stamps. It does not take any longer to be rung up than someone with a bigger cart. I never use all my vouchers at once. I go out of my way to try and make it easy on the cashier and other customers.
Something I have always wondered—are people on food stamps allowed to use coupons when paying with food stamps? The reason I wonder this is because I have been behind people in line using food stamps, they don’t have coupons, and their bill is pretty high. One time one girl’s food stamps didn’t cover the whole bill and she still had to pay a rather hefty sum to cover the rest of her items. I thought about suggesting looking into couponing—it would make the food stamps stretch a lot farther—but wasn’t sure if I should or not. It really irritates me when people (incl cashiers) treat those using food stamps or WIC badly. THey are paying customers too,even if the state is the one paying the bill, and just because they need some help, does not in any way take away from their worth as a human being or their right to be treated with the same respect as any other customer.
Same thing goes for the cards issued by unemployment and child support. In my area, it’s the same card.
So some idiot giving a dirty look for the ‘lazy umemployed drain on soceity’ could just be a single mother with child support coming in.
GROW UP PEOPLE…..mind your own business!
Food stamps do not restrict recipients from using coupons. I have often seen people using food stamps and wonder why they don’t use coupons to make the food stamps stretch further. I sure would.
In Virginia we can use coupons with the EBT card, but we have to pay the tax. I have a friend she’s a single mother of 2 and I asked her why she didn’t do coupons and she said that she doesn’t have a printer, and couldn’t afford the ink and she doesn’t see a point in buying a newspaper on Sundays. I told her I would help her and tell her when there were the good coupons in the paper so she could get 1 paper and start saving. I told her that I bet a lot of the foods she buys have coupons and she could stretch her money further. I will say that I don’t mind paying the tax in cash, but I can understand why that would be a turn off for some.
Don’t be discouraged! People who give you nasty looks or rotten comments aren’t worth your time or effort. I’ve had cashiers ask me if I was “one of those people like on TV” and I just laugh and tell them “no, I just like to save money on the groceries my family needs. I buy what we need, and only what we need.” I visit a Target in a very affluent part of the city I live near. Customers there are often disparaging (in words and stares), but I just laugh because I know I’m saving money so my 14 year old can go to band camp or pay for that class trip to Cedar Point. I try to be cognizant of people behind me who have an item or two and just need to get through the line. I also try to be “the coupon fairy” leaving coupons I’m not using on shelves by products so others can use them. With gas at $4+/gallon, many of really need to save the money that coupons allow us! Keep coupon-ing and keep your head held high 😉
Mary you must be my neighbor! My son’s class trip was today to Cedar Pointe!
Don’t worry about what others say, there will always be someone negative around you no matter what you do. Think of the money you save, and the fun you have.
Don’t worry about it, just enjoy the savings!!!
I’ve gotten the “you’re one of those” comment alot since the show and my reply is….No, I was couponing before couponing was cool.
I will say that I have also had my coupons gone over with a fine tooth comb because of people misusing them. But it does not both me becuase if that cashier sees that I am using mine correctly then she will remember that next time.
I LOVE my binder, its small but I love it!!! I am an unextereme couponor but I still get looks. But I also get alot of WOWs. I try to focus on the WOWs and my saving ofcourse. Forget about ”Those” and enjoy your savings!!
I dont really care about the looks. Im saving money and doing what i have to do. I will say that since the show Ive noticed more people couponing and shelves being cleared which doesnt make it fair for everyone 🙁
Yeah, I have noticed the shelves being cleared even at my local grocery stores. It’s irritating. Kroger had Kids Crest on sale 10/$10 a few weeks back. It’s the only kind of toothpaste my kids like, I had NO coupons for it, but apparently there were some out there because there were NO tubes to be seen during the sale! (they would not give me a rain check, either) Same thing when Meijer had the Purina One Beyond cat food boxes for $2. (they would have been free with coupons) Strangely enough, once the sale ended, the shelves were full. Either people are clearing the shelves or else stores are deliberately not stocking things.
Totally agree, my RiteAid ROCKS! I’m learning to love my Walgreens after seeing your video last week, I usually just get frustrated their but I took your approach and it paid off! Instead of focusing on gettng everysingle bargin (most were already out and there were signs up that some products weren’t even available) I walked around and just took an hour break from my three toddlers. Spent 6 and walked out with 6.50 in wags.Super Happy! Agree that the extreme couponning show has affected consumers and retailers alike, stores are finally seeing how much we are saving and taking notice as coupon policies are changing faster than i’ve ever seen before :0( I will continue to coupon as my husband just informed me our housepayment will be most of his check…leavingmy grocery/diaper budget at only 200(on a family of six) a month now instead of 400…slightly freaking out, but I know with your coupon scenarios and checking out deals…YES I CAN DO THIS!!!! I CAN BE MY FAMILYS COUPON SUPERHERO AND FILL THE GAP IN OUR GROCERTY BUDGET!!!Thankyou for all your advice!!!
I get those looks too, and occassionally get those sighs from people behind me in line. But you know what – saving that $60 or so dollars is SO worth it. I’m able to use that savings & buy little cute things for my 9 month old. I have also had MANY, MANY people ask me where I get the coupons and how in the world I do it and I ALWAYS tell them about Hip2Save! I’m not a huge couponer, as I don’t really stockpile (wish that I had the time/energy) but do a decent job on a weekly basis saving on what we do need. I think that’s the best way to start and tell people that all the time. =)
I hate what the show has done. A girl behind me in line once said, “are you extreme couponing?” and rolled her eyes. I only had like 10 coupons. And had she looked at my cart carefully she would have noticed that I didn’t have 60 bottles of mustard. People can be really rude sometimes. But this is what I tell the rude person. “Go ahead and be mad that I’m using coupons. But while you’re broke and stuck at home, I get to do something fun with my family because I saved money.” Maybe we should start rolling our eyes at people and ask them “are paying full price?”
Don’t worry about what other people say or their dirty looks. They are not paying your bills or raising your children, you are and YOU know what’s best for your family. They are morons for paying full price and not utilzing tools that are freely available to everyone. Maybe because I am a second generation couponer I really see the benefit. Growing up, my mother always used coupons for everything possible. We went on nice vacations and never wanted for anything. We also had our cars and house paid for. Now looking back, My mom was a genious because she was able to do all of this without the internet. I am now raising my children to be third generation couponers. My 8 year old knows the benefit of coupons and loves to help organize my binder. Before we buy anything she always asks if we have a coupon for that. She also sees how much food and personal items we are able to donate to the food pantry at our church each month and she understands how that helps so many families that are less fortunate than we are. I wonder how many of the people who give dirty looks or have comments about couponers ever donate or help out at a food pantry? My guess is that they don’t have the time or money to do so because they are too busy paying full price for groceries and need to work extra hours just to afford their grocery bill.
ya know.. I don’t like the show… i think because of it many coupon policies are going to change from stores and from manufacturers… i get strange looks when i take my huge binder with my two babies under the age of two into the stores.. but you know what if someone wants to give me a disgusting look…. they can gladly pay for my grocery bill without coupons OR give me the money for the coupons i’m using…. just say that to them the next time.. i bet they’ll leave you alone next time…
I agree stores will change their polices but their sales will go down! way down! cause who would have thought of shopping at a local drugstore? not me!!!
I can sympathize with the 2 kids under 2!!! My oldest will be 2 next month and my youngest is 4 months old. I have the hardest time taking them shopping by myself when I am buying a lot of stuff (especially when I am using coupons) so I always make my husband go with me or leave the kids with him!!
I coined a phrase I heard on the Today show this week. I am not an “extreme” couponer, I am a STRATEGIC couponer. I only use what my family needs. On that same note, I am not a hoarder, I am a saver. I do not have a stock pile, I have a small pantry. I typically save 30 – 40% on my grocery bill each week. I strive t stay on a strict grocery budget, to stay within our means. Coupons help me to do that, to provide for my family. The manufacturer freely offers the coupons to the consumer, the store agrees to accept them. I have NO PROBLEM using them.
The Rite Aid cashiers hate me and one actualy said as I was walking out that if I would get a job I wouldn’t have to do “that”. I make it a point to be graceful under the scrutiny and then will sometimes just smile and comment about how happy the soldiers at the VA hospital will be to get all this toothpaste (or whatever). Last weeks TLC’ers were embarrassing for all of us but I think this weeks show may have cast us in a better light. I want to grab people and shake them though and say “That is tv! It doesn’t work like that in the real world”.
Don’t let the comments and glares intimidate you! Keep using those coupons! People who make comments and stare are just jealous that you can turn a $1 bill turn in to a $50 bill just by using a few coupons! 🙂
I think you should keep doing what you’re doing and not get discouraged. I love to coupon. I love to save the money. We’ve been fortunate, and I started couponing when we had our second child because food expenses and baby expenses went up in our family and I realized how much money I was spending that I did not have to spend! I believe we have all been spurred to coupon for different reasons – some due to job loss, financial difficulty, desire to take a family vacation, etc. My husband and I started couponing due to a bit of financial strain on our budget and our conviction that we am supposed to be a good stewards of what we are given – including our finances – and that means not spending money unnecessarily when we don’t have to do so! I don’t have huge stockpiles. We generally buy what we need, what we will use and I will stock up on things that we use often so that we have a good supply to get us through to the next sale. We’re past that financial hardship now and we’ve kept couponing! It is amazing what we else have been given since we started doing this! We are able to give more to others which is such a blessing! I have been encouraged by everyone on this site who has pitched in to help those who are in need after the tornados here in Alabama. I think there is satisfication in my mind with couponing, even when I get a stare, that I am doing what I am supposed to do! Keep your head up. Look at what this group of women and men can do with what we have saved! It is most encouraging!!!!! So, everytime you think of a scoffer, think of all the good that has come from this group, the things we are able to do for others due to our savings and not only how much money they are spending that they don’t have to, but the joy the are missing out on in giving to others as well!
You go girl- I am a 49 year old married man, great wife and with two great boys… my family was embarrased by my couponing until they saw what it did for them. They love it now. My son even used a coupon for his table of six for his Senior Prom Date. They saved $45 dollars. As he says – thats almost a tank of gas.
I will say that I am embarrased by the TLC show of extreme couponing. I hate to see the manipulation of the system on TV. I do two transactions at the most, then I get back in line or shop some more.
Rashelle, My heart almost broke last night reading your note. I have this stuffed bear that talks when you hug it & if my awesome man wouldn’t have given it to me, I’d send him to you (the bear, not my guy) LOL Telling you not to get discouraged is easy from those of us that aren’t. Please, PLEASE let your savings keep you from getting discourage from the looks of people that just don’t get it. Your son is obviously proud of you. And as Collin says, keep being a Coupon Fairy because the next person you hand one to could be someone like me who would not only love you for it, but praise your usage of them as well.
I work for a Walgreens in Pa, and I can tell you that we’ve had “serial couponers” in our store since the beginning. I have since become one of them, learning a few things from them. In fact, on a corporate blog last week couponing was one of our topics, most people in Walgreens don’t mind, honestly. Our SM simply said “try it, if it doesn’t work, it won’t work, if it does, the customers’ happy.” You have to realize there are SOME coupons out there that the register WON’T accept. Especially since we’ve got registers from the 1980’s. THey’re slow and they take forever to ring customers. I would suggest to ANYONE that shops at Walgreens to take all your coupons to the Cosmetics register. They are a slower register, and you can take your time and not feel rushed. PLUS most of the time the stuff you’re buying with coupons is a cosmetics item and they get credit for ringing out their merchandise at their register.
I don’t hoard, but as of right now I have enough bodywash, deodorant, razors and shampoo/conditioner to take care of my husband and I as well as my mom and 2 sisters THROUGH THE SUMMER. NOT to mention the deals I just got a Walgreens and Target that let me stock up on Pampers for my baby. We should be set til he’s in size 4.
I hope I’ve helped some “Walgreens Haters”. We’re really not all THAT bad.
Thank you for your insight 🙂
Most of the employees at my local Walgreens stores are really nice. I enjoyed chatting with one this morning about an upcoming visit she is looking forward to with her son and family. The manager went out of his way to call a couple of stores to locate a bottle of the free with RR calcium for me and encouraged me to go to the other store to get it since I use it right along and would save $10. When I got to the other store, the cashier there was also very friendly and helpful. The RR/coupon usage can be a little confusing and frustrating, but I am blessed with some wonderful people at my Walgreens.
I feel the same way , I have not been using my coupons for the past 3 weeks, not only because of the show , but also they have change the rules around so much at my favorite publix that i just haven’t felt the need to even look at the sales.
Excuse my french but I say screw those people who feel the need to be like that. Who cares how many coupons you are using. I like to belive that those who make rude comments are just jealous of how much money you are saving and they are just not smart enough to figure out how you do it. I just started couponing about a month ago and now I can’t figure out why I waited so long to do it. My husband saw a huge difference in just one mini trip to the store. Now with all the extra money we saved we are able to start planning a family vacation, and now my kids are not having to wait a long time if they need something. I love that I am able to take care of my family better now especailly since my husband has not been able to work in 2 years due to an injured back. No MATTER WHAT LETS KEEP COUPONING!!!!!!!!!!
I started couponing because I watched the show, and then went to a class and there were like 300 people there!!! I love watching the show, and I’m still learning. If it wasn’t for the show I wouldn’t be doing it.
I too, am new to couponing and have encountered both positive and negative comments while at stores. I am somewhat shy and reserved as it is and I know I should not be ashamed of saving money. I am the only one working in my house right now and I barely make enough money to keep a roof over our heads. The money I save from coupons just makes things a little more bearable. Despite this, I also find myself many times trying not to take my whole binder in the store because I am afraid of what people with think, I take the coupons I am going to use out but then I end up missing out on some good sales because I was too worried about what people think. I am NOT an extreme couponer. I buy what I can afford and what I need. I don’t even agree with the whole extreme couponing concept because there have been several times I have gone to a store to get one or two of an on sale item just to find it sold out because the person before me felt they needed 30 of them. Alot of the people who have a problem with coupons are peoploe who have never had to depend on things like that just to make ends meet. I wish I could let go of my own self consciousness and not let ignorant people bother me.
you are definately not alone… i went to a local fred’s to score a few free hefty black outs… on the same day that our local newspaper published a paper about an extreme coupon lady in our area giving classes… I got asked first if I was in one of her classes and then got told by the manager that I was skating a thin line between morality… it was quite embarrassing… and i was a little hurt… I am definately not trying to be immoral… but I am a young mom doing her best to provide for her young family. I try to just let it roll off my back though, if the manager knew how he would be crazy not to save money… so keep it up ladies!
Darlin’ where do you live and what is Fred’s? The manager needs a profound attitude adjustment! Who the %$#@ does he think he is, the Good Lord?!?! Your comment shook me to my core!! Please, please call this store’s corporate headquarters and COMPLAIN. This manager is a bully and an abuser. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, CALL THE CORPORATE OFFICE and let them know that this is the sort of person that is ruining their business by alienating their customers.
For give me but this is just too much for anyone to have to put up with.
IMMORAL? What an accusation! Wow, I bet that manager would be in HOT WATER if you were to contact their corporate office. That is so rude and as someone who has worked in retail, I would NEVER insult the customer even if they were wrong. That’s a good way to lose a job! Let it roll off your back somewhat but don’t take the insults!
To quote Taylor Swift… “People throw stones at things that shine” 🙂 Mean people are funny. I’m glad to not be them!
I say, the heck with those people. I do not care if they have an attitude about my coupons. Let ’em spend all their money! I’m proud to be a couponer, and if someone gave me attitude, I’d feel even better about it! 🙂
Years ago I used coupons religiously. But when my children were young I found it to be difficult to keep up with everything, and quit couponing. In the last few years my grocery bill had gotten to be an average of $300.00 or more a week. Januray 1st, my New Years resolution was to start couponing again to try and save money. I had watched the show about extreme couponing and knew that I would never be that coupon savy, but I also found this web site and a few others to help me get started again. Now, my weekly grocery bill is averaging around $150.00. My cabinets, shelves, and freezer stay full! I have taken the suggestions of shop where you find the friendliest cashiers, use a binder for your coupons, study the ads and have your coupons ready. This has helped me greatly to avoid most of the nasty comments from people who are in such a hurry. Most of the time, I talk to the people in line and explain how I have been able to save so much with coupons and share a few tips I’ve learned. That usually opens the door to a more pleasant conversation. However, there are the ones that are more vocal and I tend to be glad if their husband is with them. That is when I tell them that my husband works very hard to support his family, he gets up early every day and goes to work and doesn’t know when he will be home. The very LEAST I can do is spend some time clipping coupons and using them to save our famliy money. I do not feel embarassed for this reason. My family matters more to me than some hot heads who grumble. Keep your head up, your doing the right thing.
BE VERY PROUDOF YOURSELF!!! I don’t coupon but my daughter does and I only wish I could have the patients to save such a GREAT amount of money! I am sure in their hearts every one feels the same. The world need to slow down and take pride in people like you! Keep up the good work!
keep on clippin is what i say! You’re saving money honey 😀 Who cares what other people say, forget them, you’ll probably never see them again anyway. Don’t get me wrong i like to make strangers happy (by giving out coupons ect) but not at my own expense (not using my coupons…) When I’m behind a couponer (even before i started) i was always patient (it’s just my nature) but i mean, if your in some big hurry maybe you shouldn’t be at the store people! Ya know what i’m saying? Oh well…but i mean if clippin coupons puts you in a better finacial state (of course it does lol) then keep doing it!
I can tell you that I am not an extreme couponer. I do use some, and I order everything on this website that is free. I have not always used everything that I get free, so I have drawers that I store them in. Recently I felt very good about all the free stuff, as I live near Joplin Missouri, and after the recent tornado, I gave everything I had stored up as a donation, and bought more with my coupons. It made me feel so good that I was able to help in anyway.
I can relate. I started just punching holes in my inserts and keeping them that way bc my life got busier. I bring my coupons in on a paper clip and have my print out of coupon match ups….. I find people and cashiers are much nicer to me now than when I carried my big binder and bag. It is sad but true for me 🙂
This happens to me quite frequently, BUT I just dont think of those comments because they dont pay my bills and I dont over stockpile & if I do they are sure to be donated or shared. I just sent and email to TLC to follow Collin on her bus tour and see what and how many of us couponers are sending her our stockpiles and make a show on that. People to need to also know about that not all couponers are extreme couponers
I get the dirty looks and comments too. For a moment, I was even upset when a target cashier gave me a nasty look. (Usually target employees are friendly about the coupons.) Then, I think about the money I save and service I am doing for my family, keeping a useable stock-pile for emergencies. These thoughts give me comfort and let me know I am doing the right thing. Ultimately, we are working for these savings…couponing does take time!
I have a daughter-in-law who is a GREAT couponer! She does this so that she is able to be a stay at home mom and still contribute to the family income. Hold your head high and coupon on.
i was very upset when I read this. Why are people so rude?? I am 19 years old and I am addicted to couponing. I absolutely love it! I think the show is really overrated but I think people should take after you and coupon! I have saved a lot of money, money that i dont really have to play with because of expenses of living on your own. I would just tell you to look at the result and while other people are paying retail, YOU are getting a great deal and saving money so you can spend it on things you want 🙂 People are cruel sometimes and are judgmental, and that will never change. Just keep your head up, sweetie and keep up the good work! 🙂
I feel your pain! Of course, I’ll never stop couponing because it’s saved my family a ton of money! We’re not like the rest of the world (non-couponers) who have all of their credit cards maxed out and still struggling to survive! It has become more frustrating to shop since the show began airing. Stores in my area have changed their coupon policies to limit the number of coupons you use, etc. The most frustrating thing is that I can’t go into a store and get the items I need now! Wal-Mart is a nightmare as everyone seems to have caught on to the price-matching they are allowing us to do. I wanted Ritz Crackerfuls this week, but out of the 3 Wal-Marts in my area, none had one single box! The same thing happened with Gillette items. All the shelves were wiped out, and there was a swarm of women in the store pushing carts with their binders out. Everyone who has watched that show, but hasn’t learned how to truly coupon, thinks they have to wipe the shelves clean every time they shop.
Hang in there! Maybe these merchants will realize how extreme this is getting and order more stock. I just hope it doesn’t have the opposite effect, and these stores stop accepting coupons.
So sorry to hear you’re feeling this way, but I definitely understand. But….I couldn’t care less what people think! I know I’m not doing anything wrong and sorry! but I love saving money so that my family and I can do fun things! Hold your head up and maybe you should open your mouth 🙂
I always get asked if I watch “that show.” (Which I don’t) and I am so worried that coupon policies will change very soon. I think it’s going to become harder for the “non extreme” aka MOST OF US LOL to use coupons and walk out with cheap or free items. I really wish they’d take it off it’s just not realistic and it’s not what very many people do!
At my Shoprite in NJ you are only allowed to use 4 like coupons in one transaction so I couldn’t even do shopping like the people on the show ( not like I would want to anyway) I like the ones who donate it to the troops, food banks , etc. The others are crazy and mostly all they get are candy, noodles, sport drinks, mustard, bbq sauce & sometimes meat & fruit/veg but rarely. It’s really not that impressive, you go in with 1,000 coupons and clear the shelves on only things that are free or close. People always say, You should go on that show, but I tell them that I don’t shop like that. The cameras would have to follow me around to CVS & Riteaid all week, I wish they would do a drugstore episode-
I think it’s frustrating because people on the show don’t need all the stuff they buy…they are addicted to coupons like other people are to shopping or shoes (who doesn’t love shoes!) They make the rest of who are trying to provide for our families look bad:(.
Anyway, I coupon a lot at Walgreens and the staff is so friendly they actually help me so stick your tongue out to people are jealous because they’re too lazy to save money.
Don’t worry about the people in the store. Go home and share with a friend all your exciting deals and you’ll have a smile in no time.
Mostly I don’t pay attention to those crazy people who really don’t even KNOW me. My hubby is more nervous about what people think about my couponing than I am. There have been several times I come home from a couponing trip and he will ask questions like “How did the cashier act? What did they say? Where there other people?” I have had my share of not so good transactions, but I have noticed the opposite lately. It seems that people are more understanding of couponing and saving. I am not sure if this is due to the current economy or what. Keep doing what you like. You know who you are and what you are doing. Something that helps is I will tell myself they are just jealous that they didn’t save 1/2 their bill. There is nothing wrong with couponing. You aren’t doing anything wrong. And honestly even if you did have small grocery store in your house, it really isn’t none of their business. I am not saying that I would personally keep that much of a stock and I do believe the donating is a good thing, but you can’t force that on someone else or say they are wrong for keeping it. They did the work (couponing and deal hunting) to find those bargains and I am not one of those that believes you should rob from the rich to give to the poor, but that people should freely give of their own good will to those in need. I also know of people who’s job situation is not stable. They could be out of work for weeks or months at a time and so need to keep a fully stocked pantry for those low spots during the year. I fear as people we tend to jump to conclusions about others without all the facts and this just isn’t fare to others.