As a frugal lifestyle blogger, I usually get lumped into the same class as coupon bloggers. Moreover, I am frequently mistaken as a “couponer.” I love it about almost as the U.S. loves being mistaken for Canada.
I’m not really a couponer. In fact, I’m captain of the Anti Couponing Team.
I have tried couponing. But coupons waste time, reward programs waste time, and loyalty programs waste time.
I have attended the classes, look at the blogs, and shadowing professionals. I’m here to suggest that while it might fit several, just as a long-term crash diet of crops and also raw flax could fit some, the majority of us choose a sustainable lifestyle of meal that is hearty as well as delicious steaks… which we can purchase it for a great cost without needing to browse the recycle bin first.
Many individuals believe that to cut costs on food, or perhaps be frugal in common, they have to get serious couponers and dumpster dive for the Sunday newspaper. While I am not opposed to the unexpected dumpster dive (hey, you can find excellent treasures in there!), I’m here to provide you with the best seven reasons couponing is a misuse of your time! And since I love you, I will provide you with my top three strategies for saving huge moola in the supermarket — without needing to clip one coupon.
1. Time is money. Coupons Waste Time!
What money you could be saving, you’re probably wasting twofold in the period of time it takes you to shop with coupons efficiently. It is downright complex. You’ve to sign up for the papers, clip, sort, then stow the coupons, locate the store’s offers that week, determine what coupons can use the offers, shop (oftentimes having to go to numerous stores), additionally, and then, plan out there and look for the points the coupons of yours do not benefit (though you will still need). Should you invest part-time hrs clipping coupons, get yourself a part-time job, and also make cash. I guarantee it is going to work out better for you in the end.
2. Name brand, shame-brand
Coupons are intended to bring down the cost of name-brand items. Nevertheless, perhaps you have seen that name-brand items are usually costlier to start with? Why do coupons waste time? Among my personal favorite frugal living secrets is the fact that name-brand factories typically create store-brand items. Those Kirkland batteries? Created by Duracell. In most cases, if you purchase name-brand products, you have to pay additional for commercials, marketing, then market assessment expenses — not product quality. Stick with store-brand things, and you will save additional cash in the end.
3. I am hoping you like prepared food…
Virtually all coupons are for pantry products. It is virtually never that you will see a coupon for produce that is fresh, dairy, or meat… that is usually the things that we move through probably the fastest, plus costs us the best. But hey, who does not like a great cheese puff every sometimes…
4. Raise the hand of yours in case you require forty-four boxes of tampons!
The goal of coupons is to get you to buy a solution that you more than likely have not used previously. Interpretation = IMPULSE BUY. In case you would not have set it with your shopping list to start with, do not squander the time of yours clipping a coupon for it! Furthermore, because something is a great deal — whether you utilize it not or regularly — does not mean you’ve purchased a three-year supply of it. I have faith in stocking up when there’s a fantastic deal on one thing you go through immediately. But forty-four boxes of tampons and eighteen lemon cake mixes? The deal that is good or not, I would bet money you do not require it.
5. Crash diet programs are called crash diet programs for a reason
I love to think of saving money via couponing, like losing weight via crash dieting. Certainly, it may work. And yes, it could even work nicely! Though it is not reasonable, sustainable, and fun. The majority of people I know who dedicate themselves to couponing excel for some time, then lose time or interest, fall away from the wagon, then resign themselves to a lifetime of having to pay full price for food. It is about harmony. Pssst, spoiler alert: Read for how you can cut costs on food the simple way!
6. Enemy No One Except Coupons Waste Time
Since TLC’s Extreme Couponing show came out, shops throughout the nation have tightened up on the coupon policies. You want an encryption decoder, a magic wand, along with a stiff beverage being away unscathed in the register much more. Save yourself the headache (and blacklist nominations) by giving your four-inch heavy coupon binder at home. Please use my 3 suggestions below to save the finances yours And the individuals supporting you in the checkout line.
Much more from The Stir: twelve Best Strategies for Saving Big money at the Grocery Store
7. Like a bandaid to some broken femur
Of course, a bandaid may help, though it definitely will not solve the issue. If the loved ones of yours are “in the red” every month and about to lose the home of yours, odds are no amount of clipped coupons will resolve the problem of yours. It is safe to state there’s a deeper-rooted problem lurking somewhere. In all seriousness, I applaud any person who coupons for the benefit of the household finances. But there’s a lot easier method. If you decide to take a step back and also evaluate all monetary features of the life of yours (debt, gifts, conveniences, eating out, impulse buys, the way you handle the money of yours…), you can most likely conserve much more by becoming organized as well as establishing realistic budgets than you possibly could by clipping coupons.
Allow me to share 3 issues you can do to save half on your present food bill (with almost no attempt at all!):
1. Buy what is available for sale, plan the meals yours around it
Each week shops are going to put food on sale being you into the store of theirs. Often they’re actually prepared to lose money on those products (“loss leaders”). Look at the front in addition to the back pages of your respective store’s weekly advertisement for the most effective deals. Circle everything you need to have, and plan the meals yours around those items. The great part? The most effective deals are often produced, meat and milk.
2. , freeze, freeze
When it is on sale (and you will really finish it), purchase extra and freeze it! All meats, any, sour cream, fruit, veggies, and cheese, bread… you name it. If you cannot put it to use in place before it goes bad, freeze it for one more day. (Tip: If it does not taste nearly as good when thawed, include it with a dish as casserole or soup also, you will certainly not understand the difference!)
3. Only shop 1x per week, no matter what
Each time you step right into a department store for “one loaf of bread,” you will emerge with fifty dollars in the material you instantly have to have. Shop after, regardless of what. It forces you to plan, shop with a listing, and think through your food before going. Run of milk? Borrow from a neighbor, or even make toast rather than cereal the following morning.
Have you’d achievements with coupons? What’s the biggest economic struggle of yours in getting from debt and saving cash? Share in the comments as well as Jordan might write about it in an upcoming column!