Things to consider when deciding if it is worthwhile to be a couponing queen!
We all have to use our own wisdom and judgment in the area of frugality…but I think the overall issue to consider, is this taking more time than actually saving money? Can I make these products more frugally and nutritiously on my own?
1. Coupons are offered to entice you to buy something.
The first thing to consider in couponing is, do we really need it? Is this something I could go without? Always compare the price after coupons with alternative products, making the same item from scratch, or not buying the product at all (as in the case of things like soda and candy). With coupons, “people may buy products they wouldn’t normally buy, which are overpriced to begin with,” says Eric Tyson, author of Personal Finance for Dummies, as they are most often offered for the most expensive brand anyway. Remember: Manufacturers don’t issue coupons because they care about your budget. “Coupons are a marketing device to sell products and drive traffic to stores, not to save consumers money,” says Jean Ann Fox, director of consumer protection at the Consumer Federation of America.
Coupons can also cause you to go out of your way. “It’s not worth driving all over town, spending money on gas, and putting wear and tear on the car to shop at a store you wouldn’t normally go to, just to save a few bucks,” says Tyson.
Have you considered if you might save more money by limiting your shopping to one or two stores and not having to use the extra gas to make more trips?
2. Coupons are offered for processed foods (the large majority of the time)
Most food coupons are for convenience foods and often these food items are more processed, with added preservatives and additives that, unfortunately, are nothealthy. “Even when these items can be purchased cheaply, it should be considered that your family is acquiring a taste for these more expensive and less healthful items. This could potentially create bigger grocery bills in the future.” (Amy Dacyczyn) Many of these items have more packaging as well…which creates more excess trash in disposal.
Coupons are also offered for many body products. But did you know that you can make most of these on your own as well (for recipes, visit here)? What we put on our body is just as important as what we consume.
“Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is porous, so what you apply to your skin is quickly absorbed into your entire system. Think of your skin more as a sponge than as a barrier. Try a little experiment. Take a cut clove of garlic and rub it on the sole of your foot. You will taste garlic in your mouth within 15 minutes. That’s how quickly it is absorbed by your skin and travels through your body.”
- Greg Horn, CEO of Garden of Life
3. Coupons take time and energy to collect.
Not only does it take time and energy to collect, sort and use coupons, it also takes trips to different stores to purchase these items. I understand this does vary from person to person. You have to take into consideration the costs of subscribing to different newspapers and magazines into your overall savings.
What do I use coupons for?
I have found coupons to be beneficial for use mainly with non-food items. I always seek to find coupons for restaurants for our date nights, larger items (new tires, car repairs, etc), clothing sales, etc.
Using other strategies…
I personally have decided to use other strategies…I have been able to limit my grocery store shopping trips to once every 3-4 weeks. I admire those who coupon and all the sales they could find, but alas, I am just not one of them….and I definitely think you can save money if you do it right, but personally, It works better for me to spend the time investing in learning how to make it myself!
On a side note…we don’t have any CVS’s here in the Northwest! Alas!
Hey, I know this is an old topic, but I thought I’d comment anyway … I just recently started clipping coupons and I think it works well IF you stratigize and keep a few points in mind.
First, I do almost all our grocery shopping at one store (my husband is the grocery manager there, so we receive a small discount on store brand items). I do NOT advocate driving all over town to get a deal. Traffic headaches and skyrocketing gas prices aren’t worth the couple bucks you might save. I pick up a few items at Trader Joe’s (free-range eggs, organic greens, cheese), but that’s all the driving I do. Side note: I have found Trader Joe’s to be INVALUABLE for organic products at a REASONABLE price!
Second, I ONLY use manufacturers’ coupons IF the item advertised can be found ON SALE at my local grocery store. This way, I’m getting two discounts. I just check the store’s weekly ad for sales and then see if I have any coupons that match the discounted products. I keep my coupons organized alphabetically in a recipe card box. PLUS, I only purchase these items if they end up costing me less than the comparable store brand.
I find that coupons are most useful for items such as make-up, diapers, bath and body products etc. I agree that there are tons of coupons for highly processed, overpriced convenience foods that my family doesn’t eat anyway. And you MUST resist the temptation to pick up items that you wouldn’t normally buy just because they’re cheap!!
I think the best rule is simplify, simplify, simplify! The last thing any homemaker needs is another thing to drain her energy and budget!
Hi. This article echoes thoughts I’ve been having regarding coupons. As I look through coupon offers, about 95 percent are for things I never, ever buy and don’t intend to buy. We eat mostly fresh vegetables, buy mostly store brands rather than name brands, and try to come up with homemade solutions for cleaning products, such as vinegar, baking soda, etc. So glad you wrote on this topic!
Lindsay – very well written, thought out and honest for busy moms to think about the why and why not approach the kitchen from a different direction. really fabulous! blessings…lylah
The only coupons I really use are the ones I really use. we get a lot of them for toilet paper, or personal products, or diapers, baby stuff etc. I don’t make my own body products. I love this one scent I get off HSN by Perlier. Chocolate and Vanilla. I love it, and so does my dh. Anything Italian has to be good!
I picked up the Sunday paper, and they have coupons in it, I may look thru them to see if they have any we might use. Sometimes they have coupons for baggies or alum foil.
But nope, I don’t clip coupons either!
Great points! I love your blog!
I am also trying to live nutritiously on a budget. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately too! In fact my friend and I were talking yesterday about how we have ended up giving in to things we would not normally eat, b/c they are free and we take them! I think you have a good point that just eating good whole foods may end up cheaper – and less time consuming.
I just started with coupons a few months ago and I’ve gotten TONS of free food -it’s incredible. I think I fall somewhere in the middle because I try to only get healthy foods (ground turkey, organic canned tomatoes, any boxed items without preservatives (not exactly whole food, but I count it!) etc. I consider some foods ok to eat like Cheerios and I know some people don’t. Couponing is time consuming though.
I’ve been reading Nourishing Traditions and some Sue Gregg things. I think anything can be taken to the extreme, so I try for moderation in all.
Your blog is great! I’ve tried to email you via the contact button, but I’m not sure my comments ever got to you so I just wanted to say thanks for your info. Peggy
This is a great post. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I started couponing a short while ago but am beginning to get frustrated with it. As you said, many coupons are for processed food, things we would not regularly buy, and also body products, which I have begun to make myself.
I am amazed that you have been able to cut your shopping trips down to once every 3 or 4 weeks. That is awesome! I am shooting for that goal.
I also wanted to thank you for leaving a comment on my blog a few days ago. I really appreciate it
Hope you are having a great day,
Stacy