I don’t know about
you, but I pride myself on being an honest person. I don't like liars,
and so I strive to never lie to others, however in today's society I feel like
people are lying more and more.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of these lies
may be "harmless" or “white lies” that aren’t meant to hurt
anyone. Like telling your boyfriend you already left the house to meet him for
date night while you’re putting on makeup in the mirror. However, at the end of the day, a lie is a
lie… is a lie.
As you can see, the
definition of a lie is intentionally spreading or sharing information with the
knowledge that the information is false.
There are a LOT of rumors in the world of couponing regarding the
legitimacy and value of “extreme” couponing (to
read my post on “Extreme Couponing Redefined – Lies Revealed & Lines Drawn”
click here!), and it’s hard to know if these myths were spread with the knowledge of false information or not. It
may be someone who thinks couponing is just silly and ridiculous (lots of
people think that it is a waste of time to save the money we save), it may be
someone who knows a person who has crossed the line and coupons unethically (to read my post on ethical couponing, and
how it effects everyone, click here!), or it may be someone who is just not
knowledgeable on the subject at all who is shocked and spreading the drama of “new”
and “juicy” info!
At the end of the day, I AM knowledgeable, and am here to save you from the
myths and lies about couponing! Keep
reading, and I will negate all of these lies and get YOU on the knowledge train
with me!
Okay, so I'm not superwoman, but you get the idea of what I'm going for here! Let me save you from these lies and rumors... I PROMISE it is worth your time (even with the cheesy jokes and silly clip art!).
Each "lie" will have a breakdown of why it isn't true, and then a dose of realism at the bottom - a little piece of realistic truth that other people may not be so up front about. Hey, I'm here to show the good, the bads, and the uglies!
Each "lie" will have a breakdown of why it isn't true, and then a dose of realism at the bottom - a little piece of realistic truth that other people may not be so up front about. Hey, I'm here to show the good, the bads, and the uglies!
THE LIES
1. COUPONING IS A WASTE OF TIME
We've all heard it before. That clipping coupons is a "massive waste of time" and you are spending "hours of labor" to "only save a few bucks". I remember specifically a family member of mine laughing and telling me, "So you sit at home, clipping 35¢ coupons all day and save a couple bucks? Please. I have much better things to do with my time! By the time you clip that 35¢ you could have just spent it and saved the hassle." I started getting very discouraged, and a little embarrassed to tell people that I was starting couponing, because I heard this SO MUCH (to read about my start into couponing, click here!).
A lot of people see things like the Extreme Couponing show on TLC and see women dedicating their 40-80 hours a WEEK to building super market stock piles, and they think THAT is the level of couponing that we are doing. I don't know about you, but I have a full time job, a social life, and a baby on the way! If you have the blessing of being a stay-at-home mom or dad, and are able to dedicate that kind of time to your family's savings, then go for it! However, I am here to show a much more common & realistic approach to couponing and saving money.
Let's break it down this way. I spend about 2 hours a week doing ALL of my couponing - that includes my meal planning, my sales comparisons, organizing my shopping trips, and the finding and clipping of coupons. All together each week I save (on average) over $250 on the items I buy (toiletries, paper goods, and groceries). So if you break it down, it is ALMOST like I am getting paid $125/hr to save my family this money - or it's like I am saving $125/hr with my couponing.... That doesn't sound like a waste of time to me AT ALL!
DOSE OF REALISM: In the very beginning stages of couponing (when you are building your coupon stockpile and developing a system/getting familiar with what you're doing) YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY spend more time than just 20 minutes a day couponing. Do not get discouraged! Just like weight loss, those who come to the gym expecting to lose 30 pounds in 30 days are only going to get frustrated and burnt out, then most likely give up. Couponing takes time and patience - but once you get the hang of it, it will be a breeze (and fun!)
2. LOW VALUE COUPONS AREN'T WORTH IT
This statement couldn't be farther from the truth! I know that high value coupons ($1 or more off of one product, or $3 or more off multiple products) are awesome, and can really save you a lot of money, but don't underestimate the power of the "little guys". A 50¢ coupon off of a product might not seem like much, but many stores double, or even triple coupons that are under a certain amount! Unfortunately I live in an area where no stores double or triple coupons, but I still clip or keep these low value coupons. Let me tell you why.
The key to using low value coupons is strategic shopping (you hear me talk a lot about strategic shopping in my couponing education series). Where 50¢ off of a $3.99 product might not sound all that great, consider this example, where I used strategic shopping at my Publix.
ALL Laundry Detergent was on sale 3/$9, usually 1/$5.99. Snuggle fabric softener was on sale 1/$2.99, usually 1/$3.99. I had Target coupons (my Publix accepts Target as a competitor) for $3 off any ALL detergent purchase that was paired with any Snuggle fabric softener. I then had some manufacturer coupons for 75¢ off of any ALL detergent, and 50¢ off of any Snuggle fabric softener. This is the final breakdown:
3x ALL detergent =$17.97 $9
3x Snuggle fabric softener =$11.97 $8.97
Total before Coupons =$29.94 $17.97
Total after 3x Target Coupon worth $3 = $8.97
Total after 3x MFR Coupon worth 75¢ = $6.72
Total after 3x MFR Coupon worth 50¢ = $5.22
GRAND TOTAL =$29.94 $17.97 $5.22
Total Savings = $24.72 or 83% savings
Without those low value coupons for the detergent and the softener, my savings would have only been 70%. Still very impressive, but not nearly as good as 83%. Don't forget that most of our stores have clearance areas where you can score even more savings, and use coupons like this on already marked down items. So save up those low-values for a rainy day!
The key to using low value coupons is strategic shopping (you hear me talk a lot about strategic shopping in my couponing education series). Where 50¢ off of a $3.99 product might not sound all that great, consider this example, where I used strategic shopping at my Publix.
ALL Laundry Detergent was on sale 3/$9, usually 1/$5.99. Snuggle fabric softener was on sale 1/$2.99, usually 1/$3.99. I had Target coupons (my Publix accepts Target as a competitor) for $3 off any ALL detergent purchase that was paired with any Snuggle fabric softener. I then had some manufacturer coupons for 75¢ off of any ALL detergent, and 50¢ off of any Snuggle fabric softener. This is the final breakdown:
3x ALL detergent =
3x Snuggle fabric softener =
Total before Coupons =
Total after 3x Target Coupon worth $3 = $8.97
Total after 3x MFR Coupon worth 75¢ = $6.72
Total after 3x MFR Coupon worth 50¢ = $5.22
GRAND TOTAL =
Total Savings = $24.72 or 83% savings
Without those low value coupons for the detergent and the softener, my savings would have only been 70%. Still very impressive, but not nearly as good as 83%. Don't forget that most of our stores have clearance areas where you can score even more savings, and use coupons like this on already marked down items. So save up those low-values for a rainy day!
DOSE OF REALISM: You may not be living in an area that doubles or triples coupons, but as long as you are strategic, you will end up doing well. You may not always run into a deal as good as the one I got at Publix a few days ago, but you will be able to score big if you are patient and keep your eye out.
3. COUPONERS ARE CHEATING THE SYSTEM & STEALING FROM THE STORES
As crazy as these things seem to the un-educated coupon user or regular shopper, there is absolutely NOTHING illegal going on in these situations. When a store accepts a manufacturer coupon and gives you the appropriate discount, they are receiving full compensation PLUS a handling fee for that coupon. If you have a $2/1 Bayer Aspirin, when it scans at the register that coupon then ventures into the office where the coupons are sorted and sent to the appropriate companies for reimbursement. Look closely at your coupon, in all the tiny print there's a note there that usually says the store will receive the face value plus that 8¢ handling fee. So the store is getting their money back for your purchase - which is exactly what the manufacturer intended. If it helps, look at it this way. Bayer aspirin sent you a $2 gift card for any of their products. That doesn't come out of the store's pocket, it comes out of Bayer's! Coupons are essentially little clippable gift cards so we can save on our favorite and new products!
DOSE OF REALISM: Unfortunately, there are the people out there who ARE cheating the system. This includes people who are creating and using fake coupons, or people who are using coupons on items they are not intended for. This DOES hurt the store because they cannot get reimbursed for the fraudulent coupons, and in turn hurts those of us who are using coupons the right way, because then people are skeptical of deals that seem "too good to be true". There is a difference between getting the best deals in town and working the system. To read more about couponing fraud and couponing ethics, click here.
4. COUPONS ARE ONLY FOR JUNK FOOD/THERE ARE NO COUPONS FOR ME
You will hear me say over and over that this is not our grandmother's coupon world - or even our mother's for that matter! Couponing has changed drastically over the years, including the variety of coupons. Gone are the days where Colgate would send out the SAME coupon for 25¢ off toothpaste over and over. These days manufacturer's not only give out coupons more frequently, they change the coupons periodically. So where you used a $1/1 Almay product a month or two ago, now there is a $5/2 Almay products, or maybe 75¢ off Almay makeup. Keep your eyes open, because they change a lot.
Another thing that has changed is couponers don't have to live off of Hamburger Helper and Rice-a-Roni anymore! There are so many coupons now for items other than processed junk - organic, gluten free, and natural products all have plenty of coupons out there. The variety is really outstanding! Keep in mind that the more we redeem a coupons for products, the more they print coupons for those same products! It's like a big couponing circle of life!
There are also so many coupons out there for a variety of products, that I don't understand how people say there aren't coupons for items they use. I would at least hope everyone is using toilet paper and toothpaste?
DOSE OF REALISM: Now, when some people refer to "no coupons being available to them", they may mean on their favorite brand, or the brand they are used to buying. The trick to saving the most money is to throw out brand loyalty. Sure, there may be a product you try and don't like, but then you just don't buy that product anymore - I'm sure a friend or coworker would be blessed to receive items you aren't going to use, or you could always donate them. By opening up your mind to trying new things, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find!
5. ALL COUPONERS ARE HOARDERS
TLC's Extreme Couponing has seemed to have a very big effect on the way couponers are viewed. Suddenly, when I talk to people about couponing they assume I have a supermarket stockpile in my home with enough toothpaste, tampons, and bottles of mustard to last me through two Armageddon and a nuclear attack. Smart shoppers never hoard, they only purchase enough product to get them through until that item that they use will be on sale again. Usually sales cycles run about 12 weeks, so by buying as much as you need during a rock-bottom sale, you don't have to purchase an item again until it is on sale. There is never a reason to have more food or household items than you can use before they expire or are useless. There is always the option of donation, and that is truly a blessing opportunity that if you choose to do, you most certainly can.
Most couponers do have what they call a "stockpile", but again, it is only enough of a product as they know they are going to use. Take a look at this example to see if it helps - I will refer to Abby, a 'casual' couponer (someone who uses a coupon if they have it) and Lucy, an 'extreme' couponer (or what I like to call 'savings pro').
This is Abby. Her daughter loves Cheerios, and they use about a box a week. She sees that Cheerios are on sale BOGO at $3.25 at her local grocery store this week, so she makes sure to buy two boxes, and uses that coupon she got in the paper for $1/2 Cheerios cereals.
This week: Abby purchases 2 boxes of Cheerios to last her 2 weeks.
Following: Abby needs to buy a box of Cheerios every week for her daughter. $1.12x 2 boxes = $2.50
$3.25x 10 boxes = $32.50
Total Spent in 12 weeks = $35
This is Lucy. Her daughter loves also Cheerios, and they also use about a box a week. She knows that Cheerios are on sale BOGO at $3.25 at her local grocery store this week, so she makes sure to clip her coupons she stored for $1/2 Cheerios cereals.
This week: Lucy purchases 12 boxes of Cheerios to last her 12 weeks.
Following: Lucy does not need to purchase Cheerios until the next sale. $1.12x 12 boxes = $13.50
$3.25x 0 boxes = $0
Total Spent in 12 weeks = $13.50
See how Lucy saved over $21 just by purchasing the cereal she knew she would use? This is a small example of how stockpiling can benefit you and your family. To read my whole post about how stockpiling is different than hoarding, and how to keep yourself from crossing the line, click here!
So, what did you learn from these couponing lies and myths? Had you been fooled by any of these popular beliefs before? Do you have any major lies that you think I missed? If so, leave a comment!