Whenever you see the word “dissertation”, you know it’s going to be a long read. Hear me out.
Couponing is all the rage these days. From reality shows about couponing to websites that focus primarily on coupon savings, there isn’t anyone immune to at least a basic knowledge about much money can be saved using coupons.
Couponing can save a lot of money on groceries, it can’t be disputed. With enough time and effort, to the tune of 40-50 hours a week, coupon divas can really rake up the savings and feed their families for almost nothing. Learning how to do this has been a wonderful thing for those who are facing unemployment, the number standing at about 14 million now.
I’ve couponed off and on over the years, with some great success, I might add. I’ve played the “Drugstore” game and once again, scored bigtime. There’s just something about the whole coupon scene that doesn’t sit well with me.
All of us are dealt 24 hours each day, to do with what we choose. We can choose to spend time chasing coupons and sales, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that.
You may also be someone who sees couponing as a “means to an end”, to get you through a temporary situation and once again, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Howevever, I would rather spend my time, given the choice, doing things that increase my skill level and capability to be self-sustaining, for life and not just the short-term.
Issues with Couponing as a Way of Life
* It’s not sustainable: Coupons are primarily offered for convenience foods. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, this is true and we all know it. ”Stockpiling” is achieved by creating an archive of artificial food. Sooner or later, the “stockpile” will run out. If for some reason the grocery store shelves weren’t stocked, or the store even open, this lifestyle would come to a complete halt.
I would rather….pursue a self-reliant lifestyle by growing my own food. No one can take away my skills, the sun, soil or my seeds.
* I have little/no control: I have no control over what major manufacturers choose to offer in terms of sales and/or coupons. They set the rules of the game, I am only a player.
If for some reason companies begin to feel that they are losing money on coupons, they can reduce what is offered almost overnight. These corporations aren’t stupid. They track the coupons and certainly wouldn’t put themselves in a position to lose money.
I would rather…keep control and spend time in books and classes, learning to overcome obstacles to my own food production and increase my yields. I would rather “pay tuition” now, in terms of canning supplies, etc. and learn valuable skills that will last a lifetime.
I would rather….learn how to make laundry detergent at $3 for 10 gallons, rather than coupon-purchase 5 years worth of detergent.
* Feeds my OCD: As someone who has worked hard to recover from real life OCD, I can tell you that couponing isn’t good for me. I get obsessed with it, I want every coupon and every deal…it takes over.
I would rather….live a balanced life, closer to the earth and God, finding balance in the seasons and the ways of nature.
* Hurts relationships: I hurt the ones I love when I coupon, OCD here again. Rather than cuddle with my husband a few extra minutes Sunday morning, I’m rushing out to the mailbox to see what coupons came or if the paper carrier gave me any extra. When I coupon, I deny my family other purchases just because we don’t have coupons for those items. This doesn’t feel right for me. I love my family and want to please them more than my grocery receipt.
I would rather….teach my children how to garden and munch on what we’ve grown. Obsessing over anything in life is a bad idea. I want my kids to see a happy, non-stressed mom who loves what she is able to grow and produce for her family. I want my husband to see what he wants on his dinner plate, not just what I had a coupon for.
* Cheap food depends upon cheap oil prices: A couponing lifestyle depends upon the “cheap food” industry that will not be in play much longer. Cheap food depends upon cheap oil.
World food shortages are on the rise and the US isn’t immune to the coming food crisis. Report after report, coming out of news organizations that are both liberal and conservative, talk about the looming food crisis.
This isn’t about fear and worry, I can’t go there anymore in my life. But what I am into is “long-term thinking“. I don’t want anyone to control what I eat and when/where I can buy it. This is the spirit of the homesteader and “self-sustainability”.
I would rather…stay focused on continual planting, harvest and processing of my own homegrown food, but also buying local and finding other like-minded folks to partner with.
“Why can’t you do both?” you might be asking.
Back to the “24 hours in a day” rational. I guess you could, but I don’t do it well.
Sure, I find an occasional coupon that I’ll use right away, this isn’t about demonizing coupons.
But the effective use of coupons, where you save significant amounts of money, can only be done with a system and commitment that takes a lot of time and energy. You really can’t do both well.
I know that I’m stepping on a lot of toes here, and it’s not my intention to make anyone defensive about couponing.
My heart behind this post is to point out the inherent weaknesses of couponing as a way of life and obtaining food for your family.
My heart would love to see everyone with a small garden full of fresh veggies for your family and a couple of chickens to give you fresh eggs. Urban homesteaders do this all the time!
There are more sustainable ways to get the job done! :)
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About kmorris
I love this. I read about couponing and think I should save money like that, but then there are so few coupons for real food. I don’t use convenience foods. I cook from scratch. It’s so nice to hear someone else say that time with their family is more important than the constant search for coupons. Thank you!
Thanks for your comment, Kathy!
Kathy that is exactly what I was thinking. I have friends who suggested it and I watched the shows a few times and thought wow that is a lot of money they save. But reality is there isn’t enough time in the day for me to dedicate to doing all that it entails and besides most of the stuff I don’t use. I know some of them say they get it anyway and donate it or whatever but you know what I would rather donate my time to a good cause than to use my time to clip coupons and scour stores for the sales. I do use coupons if it is something I need and the coupon is there but other wise I don’t go out of my way to use them.
Very well said! I agree. Every time I’ve spend time couponing, we end up with junk in our cupboards that I bought just because of the deal, not because of the ingredients. I’d rather learn how to make foods cheap and from scratch so I know what I’m feeding my family.
Sarah,
As someone who didn’t learn to cook growing up, learning to cook from scratch was tough! But many years later, I make sure that my girls learn everything that I’m doing. It’s a skill that really needs to be passed down. Thanks for commenting.
A lot of us on the two deal/coupon sites I regular, do not like the way the new coupon craze has made us look. Most of us do not spend 60 hrs a week clipping coupons and have a garage full of toilet paper to last till 2050. Coupons and smart shopping has allowed me to stay at home with my children. Im not sure how much time I spend on couponing, because its usually a few minuets here and there, and maybe an hour or two right before the trip to the store. I would estamate 5-10 hrs a week. I dont do every deal. I try to only go to the store once a week, usually, Giant and Rite Aid, since they are right beside each other. I car pool with my mom, and she helps with the kids while we shop. I am able to keep the grocery budget under 150 a month including all toiletries, medications, diapers etc, for a family of 4, soon to be 5. I was spending as much as 200-250 for just two of us when we first got married. Now my mom and I also do a good bit of growing and canning. I dont have much room so, this year I grew tomatoes, a few potatoes, and some herbs. My parents have a real garden and grow much more. We can tons of jellies, peaches, pears, tomatoes, salsa, pickles and apple sauce every year. We also freeze corn beans, berries, pumpkin etc. I am hoping for a pressure canner or dehydrator for christmas this year, so we could increase our food preservation. Maybe someday we could do the chicken thing but it will take a lot of convincing the hubby. So coupons allow me to buy and stock up on things like peanut butter, diapers, cereal and some treats. Which we dont need and could live with out, but really enjoy every now and then. I have also managed to get enough free tooth paste, brushes, body wash, shampoo and razors to have enough for our family and donate when my parents go on mission trips to Nicaragua. For my family it is a balance.
Hey ‘Jdara,
You nailed it, it’s about balance and what works for you. Great comment.
Since I’m the Grim Reaper for plants(goldfish too
) we dont have a garden unless hubby has the time time to start one(which this year, we didnt) I do coupon but it def doesnt rule my life. I clip while watching tv, or while at the laundromat(our washing machine broke) or after the crew is in bed. It also allows me to stay home and provides some security in the winter time when hubby’s work is low(brick mason)
Also, i can use my stockpile to swap for stuff from people who do have gardens!(for example, my mil gets coffee and her favorite Total cereal from me in exchange for homemade salsa, tomatoes, and zuchinnis. ive also swapped with a friend of hers for green beans, tomatoes, and collard greens for toothpaste, body wash, and Poise pads)
April, what a great trade-off with your mil!
April,
Sounds like you’ve got a system that works for you, that’s awesome!
I like to think of myself as a ‘responsible couponer’ and not anything like what’s portrayed on TV. I have gotten crazy a couple time’s but I do donate or share with family. Now I pretty much if I’m buying something and it has a coupon I use it…if not it’s ok. I do hope to be able to can and preserve foods better next year. But until then, I will stock up on canned veggies when on sale. Or baking supplies. As far as the convenience items I do keep some on hand for when the kids are on their own for dinner or I donate them. I do believe for me and my family at this point in time, I have found a good balance.
Excellent article Kelly.
Kimi,
Balance is the key!
Wonderful post! I admit to using coupons, but I spend maybe 2 hours a week on couponing. Any more than that and it does take away from important things, like family. I only use coupons on foods or items we use, not “just to get items cheap” and force us to use them anyway. Or I may use a coupon here or there for a treat, something we like, but I won’t pay full price for. I am seeing, though, that the *extreme couponers* and the TV show are actually hurting small time coupon users. More and more coupons are having limits posted on them, etc. It’s a shame, but it’s the world we live in.
Overall, I agree with your philosophy entirely.
Hey Amy,
Thanks for commenting, I appreciate it!
Thank you Kelly for posting this! It is my thoughts exactly. I have some friends (and family) who are obsessing over coupons and it’s ridiculous. The occasional coupon (for me that is usually only TP) then okay, but all the rest is just exactly as you’ve stated wonderfully ~ not an efficient or effective use of time and resources.
Melissa,
Thanks for commenting!
Love this post it couldn’t have come at a better time. I cook mostly from scratch and while I have tried really hard to match coupons with my needed purchases. I either missed the expiration date, have to buy 2 or more to get the coupon. The whole thing makes my head spin – if I was going to buy two of something I don’t need 2 of it means I can’t buy another item I do need one of. I mean no disrespect to those who can navigate the coupon world successfully – I just can’t, without driving myself and my family crazy.
Sarah,
I think your sentiments are shared by many, thanks for commenting.
I so agree with this post. I have done couponing and the drugstore deals in the past and it took so much time that it got to be more of a chore than a blessing. I will use a coupon if I find one that is for something that we will use, but I don’t spend so much time searching for the deals anymore. My family time is much more important.
Hey Kim,
Amen. Take care.
For people who make their own food, do you make everything? We buy a lot of produce, and for the most part I bypass the junk food. But what about flour, pasta, sugar, etc? Toilet paper? I really am curious. Oh, beans is another one I stock up on. We eat lots of beans. Lol. I do think your OCD point is good.
Amy,
No, I don’t make everything…..yet. LOL. To be honest, I try to minimize what I feel our family “needs” in terms of massive variety and processed foods, then work to learn how to make/grow/barter the rest of it. It’s a process. Actually, I wrote recently about living without paper products and the comments about toilet paper were fascinating….
http://www.themorristribe.com/2011/09/10/what-can-i-live-without-paper-products/
Thanks for your question and comment!
I completely agree. I never have been able to get into the couponing. Not enough time and I just don’t care to, plus so much of what I see coupons for, we simply don’t buy. I do cut a few coupons out of Sunday’s paper that are useful to me, and will keep my eyes open for sales at the one store I like to shop at, but that’s about it. Of course I’m not growing my own food… maybe some day.
Hey Tracy,
Thanks for commenting girlfriend!
I just wanted to comment here quickly as well.. I read the article, and can definitely appreciate some of the points made, however, I also wanted to give you another thought!
My father was laid off about 8 months ago, and while I didn’t learn to coupon for this time, I am sure God allowed me to learn the skill early enough that I would have it when this trial came! My family is one that used to eat all organic. I say used to, only because the cost now prohibits us from eating fully organic meat and produce all the time, but that was a change that we had to make while we still had an income. But, I point that out, because that is where we still strive to be, and let me tell you, you can do that and still coupon at the same time. You just have to do it smart!
I actually teach coupon classes for a non-profit ministry in my area, and one of the things that we stress is that this should not take over your life. We have a method of filing coupons and cutting out ONLY the ones that will be used in sales, and ONLY when the sale is going on so that you get your products at the lowest possible cost. As one who began couponing by spending 15 hours a week cutting and filing every last coupon from my 10 Sunday papers in those baseball card holders, I can tell fully admit that yes, this could take over your life! At that point, I was berating myself when I would miss sales because I had spent all the time and effort cutting, filing, and labeling every coupon, so I felt there was no excuse! But now, I keep the whole insert and file them by dates, and then my website tells me what product is on sale, if there are coupons for the product, where to find the coupon, and how much that coupon is worth (or how much the sale will be when I combine coupon and sale). Doing it this way has opened my eyes to a whole new way of saving money! I no longer feel guilty if I miss a sale because I know it will come around again.
Also, on the issue of stockpiling. Again, I appreciate what this author had to say, because when we find a GREAT sale, it can be tempting to stock up as if the end of the world were coming, and we wouldn’t be able to get these items again! However, there is a 12 week sale cycle that is in play in the grocery store. That means that every 12 weeks, (I have heard that in some states it is 6, but in most it will be a 12 weeks cycle) that product, perhaps a different brand, but the type of product will be on sale again, and there will be a new coupon to use on those products. This addresses the fear that manufacturers are going to yank back what we’ve become accustomed to, and think we can expect to see month after month. When a manufacturer puts out a coupon, a few things happen. 1. They expect you to use the coupon right away, when there is no sale, because they know that the store will put that product on a 15-30% sale within a few weeks of the coupon coming out (this makes that product basically the same price as it had been with the coupon and no sale) and then a few more weeks down the road, the product will go on sale at basically 40-50% off. So if we play into the manufacturers game, as most people across America do, we effectively purchase that product anywhere from 4-8 times within the course of 10 weeks, and become brand dependent, now preferring their brand over the others, and thus boosting their sales and income. It is a highly profitable thing! Also, manufacturers rotate who puts out coupons, for what quantity and what amount, so its not always one manufacturer, and they will never go over-budget of what they can allow for advertising with coupons. If i find a super-amazing sale, I will probably get as many of that product as I have coupons for, but otherwise, a 12 weeks supply is enough for me, AND my shelves at one time!
Finally, on the concept of couponing healthy.. its not as great a search as some of you might think! Again, my family eats very little pre-prepared food, and we still manage to coupon. The rule of thumb to remember is that, if you didn’t buy it before couponing, DON’T feel like you have to buy now, just because its on a lowest sale and you have a great coupon! The other great thing that stores do is allow us to have overage on products that we can apply to anything in the store that we need to get. For those of you who like organic, or special meats, produce, or anything else, this is the time to stock up. OR, I have actually gotten away from purchasing my produce and meats in grocery stores, preferring local fruit stands on the sides of the road, and a wholesale meat store that supplies restaurants. For the produce stands, no, it may not be organic, BUT most of the produce is locally grown, and definitely much fresher than anything you are going to find in a grocery store, at about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost! Plus, I can say that more than once I have found bugs still crawling on my lettuce from these sources, but thats ok with me! It just tells me that if a bug can survive, there is probably nothing there that will kill me or my family!
I have never found that, even on my organic lettuce from the nicest grocery store!
The bottom line, that this author so wonderfully expressed is that couponing is a way to stretch dollars, and find savings for our families in unexpected ways BUT it cannot take over life! So many weeks go by that my dad (i am single and live at home with my parents and 4 brothers) will notice I didn’t make it to Walgreens or Publix, and i tell him, I just didn’t have time this week! I have had to free myself from the guilt and burden that “If I don’t make it to the store in any given week, Ive just become a couponing failure. ” After utilizing the savings methods available here for the past 2 years, I now look through an add at the beginning of the week, and if there isn’t a sale good enough to make me want to rush to the store, then I just don’t go. Anything that is on sale now, will be on sale again!
One last thing, on the note of gardening.. It is very nice to hear someone promote that in such a positive light, because that is something that, in our fast paced environment, has completely gone by the wayside. I am thankful for a Mom and youngest brother who enjoy gardening, and have several pots that we all pitch in to help water everyday full of fresh veggies. I, sadly, have never been overly successful with gardening, and I hope that changes someday, but for now, I am just very thankful that couponing has given me a way to help contribute to meeting my family’s needs.
For anyone who would like more information on the time-saving method of filing coupons and ways to shop, come check out our website, http://www.truecouponing.com
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Kelly. You put to words exactly what I have been thinking for some time.
Thanks, Carmen! Great to hear from you.
I love that you have brought up this topic again!
I coupon with my Stone Soup group and all the coupons we do not use goes to the military families overseas that can use them up to six months expired. There a lady who owns a store and gives us the extras from the weekly leftover papers. One lady takes them and separates them by page and cuts 5-10 at a time- those are laid out for each of us to look at- what we don’t use- poof! Into the box for the soldier families!
I have found over the years that we usually get the chocolate coupons, WHY NOT?? !! Then the dairy, and the pasta/rice coupons. Few and far between are the gems of flour, vinegar and produce coupons. My last great deal was couponing at BJ’s warehouse- vinegar was $3.39 but with the dollar coupon, I have 3 liter containers for pickles and cleaning at $2.39!
I bulk shop so I don’t spend more than $50 on food- mostly fresh produce since our gardens were horrible this year- and Thank you Kelly for pushing us for a fall garden! I have planted, and am cleaning more space this week to plant more. I need to can the fruits of our trees, but I need to pick them before all the wild animals enjoy them.
Yes, we coupon, yes, I go to the laundry mat and have for over three years- and No, I have not purchased laundry soap- I have made two batches of soap so far. The majority of my laundry soap is from recycling the leftovers tossed by someone else- when there’s 1-2 wash loads thrown away- it is a waste. The ladies who work there actually save me the bottles out, and I rinse them into my carry in bottles… What a savings, and I do share when others need some.
Bargain hunting is fun- we got sale priced- bathing suits today for over 75% off, and jeans and pants from $8- 14 !! yeah! savings… but you NEED to NEED the items- because to save you need to spend….
Be provident while you live-
Be prepared for the rainy day –
Be secure when the storms hit with your stored supply-
Be Safe when disaster strikes- your disaster foods are needed, but you are safe knowing that your body has become used to eating them for years before they were needed!
Be self reliant- learn a skill then share it with another!
Thanks Kelly!!
Completely agree! I stopped using food coupons a long time ago for the same reasons you have listed. I bulk purchase when things are on sale and wait for non-food items I want to go on sale before I buy.
Thank you for putting a REAL spin on a time consuming activity. I would rather know how to feed myself and my husband than have to depend on a supermarket. Today’s supermarkets are dispensable…here today and maybe gone tomorrow. But your garden is there for you all the time. Thank you for a sensible and timely message Kelly! Learn a skill and you will have it forever.:)
I don’t often see coupons for products that I actually use. Occasionally I will use a coupon to buy a new kind of healthy cereal or organic milk, things that we will use. I have found a couple of sites that are useful…Organic Deals, and Mambo Sprouts. Again, not very many things that I use, but I look at them occasionally. Swagbucks is the other site that I go to.
I don’t have the same issue with being OCD about things like this, so it has never become a problem for me as far as time. Most of the time I’m too busy with canning, gardening, taking care of the animals, blogging
, or taking care of my family. (Most important thing listed last!) I can’t imagine allowing coupons to take over my life! So your post really hits home for me, because I have often gazed in wonder at the folks with a mountain of processed junk in their cart at the check out lane, only to pull out their coupons for the deals. Junk is still junk…to pay even a penny for it seems such a waste!
This is a great post! I no longer coupon as there really is next to nothing that I use anymore that requires a coupon. I make our cleaning supplies, cook from scratch with local or homegrown produce and/or shop in bulk where there is no coupon available. I used to be a coupon fanatic (thanks to my mother), but have stopped due to the amount of garbage that comes home from couponing due to all the packaging. Plus, like you said, I have many better things to spend my time on.
I seldom use a coupon because they don’t have them for bulk items, basic goods like flour and sugar (except around Christmas.) .. I do use them for things like toilet paper, deoderant, shampoo if they are brands I use. Then I also only shop with coupons on double day. I won’t buy something just because there is a coupon.
I was at the store two weeks ago, my normal time of about 9p trying to check out . 2 women in front of us were doing the super coupon routine. Everyone else had to wait as the checkers were all tied up with them and their coupons and the constant arguing that they were supposed to get this for such etc.etc. Those of us waiting in line had plenty to discuss. They had one entire paper grocery bag fill with just candy bars…I guess about 150 of them. I saw at least 30 loaves of frozen garlic bread. There were dozens of boxes of (chemical filled) prepared food like hamburger helper. Sudden Salad etc. They had at least 4 carts full.
More and more the coupon sections are missing from my Sunday paper. We live on a rural route and the neighbors I have checked with have the same problem. Apparently couponers think it OK to help themselves so that they have 3 dozen crest coupons.
We save our money not by buying a bunch of junk on the cheap, but by eating good basic food low of the food chain like beans and grains and vegetables and no pricey meat and seafood, that be trusted less and less today. We buy good local made cheese and eggs from a farmer. I would 100 times rather support the local farmer than the mega-corporation .
Excellent post.
I rarely use a coupon—but only because we don’t buy any processed foods or “beauty” care items. We live very simply. I raise most of our fruits/vegetables. We buy our eggs and meat from local organic farmers.I buy organic flour and baking supplies–there are NEVER coupons for that so that doesn’t leave a whole lot left to buy in the stores. I agree that what a person does with their own time is their business, but I sure wouldn’t want to be stuck in line behind these professional couponers. What a hassle!
Thank you for sharing your story. I am a recovering couponaholic. When I say this I mean I spent much of my free time looking for bargains and deals, and we all know how time consuming organizing coupons can be. That is until one day my husband said to me, ” I appreciate what you are doing for our family by saving money with coupons, but is that free laundry detergent really worth all the time you have spent on the computer and clipping coupons, then driving all over town chasing sales?” He was right. Gas is so expensive and here I am schlepping all over town from one store to another to save a few bucks, meanwhile, wasting gas and taking precious time from my family. I still use coupons, sure, but I do not obsess over the latest sales and spend half of my Sunday running around town trying to buy body wash before someone else takes it all.my family and I still save, and have what we need, and everyone is much happier.
I don’t run around for sales, but if I find a good coupon that someone else shows me, I will keep my eye out for the sale on that item. I love the pieces here- being frugal wise and thrifty.
I just wish I could take a day or two to put into practice the savings ideas that Kelly uses- actually it is how do you get others in the family to do those thrifty things!?!
Happy day! We have rain!
Everything in moderation. I used to be a coupon-er with a stockpile. but since being diagnosed with IBD, I changed my diet. Most coupons are for things i wouldn’t even buy anymore like sugary cereal or canned goods loaded with salt. But i do however use coupons in moderation now for organics/natural foods. Learning how to garden is defiantly a lot better than relying on others to feed you and also load you up with junk. There is something great about knowing where you food comes from. Now if only i had a yard to garden in.
Well , we will see how my grocery shopping goes tonight. (see my comment on 9-3) Better be no super couponers again. I talked to the store owner, not just the manager, and a couponer is not supposed to tie up all business. That time of night we only have 2 checkers and they were using both checkers. Also he said when they have a dispute that the checkers are to stop, close them out at that point and they are to start all over at the end of the line with the rest of their items.
I have my list of 12 items (I may spot something else as I go, who knows)…most of which are bulk items. We can double 5 coupons so I have those for the household items like toilet paper and toothpaste. I combine those with the store coupons and sales. One of each, not 20 of each. Wednesdays are the double coupon days and Saturdays. I occasionally go Saturday but as that is the only day I do not work I do other errands plus take my mother to do her errands. I prefer Wednesday night even though it is late. It is normally quiet as the store is near closing by the time I get there. Wed night is church night for us. Sunday we do not shop, do errands etc.
Our other grocery is a Walmart which we do not patronize.