So I have been wondering? Do coupons really save you money in the long run? Yes, I know you get instant gratification when you see a bill that is $75.00 drop to only $11.00 or maybe you make a few Extra Care bucks from the deal. But what I am wondering is if the obsession of saving money, clipping coupons and finding the best deal actually makes you spend more in the long run? I love coupons and I was getting a bit obsessed. So I have been fasting from "crazy" coupon usage, mainly Walgreens and CVS the past 2 weeks. I was going over budget each week and I couldn't figure it out! I mean, I was saving so much money. I then looked into my closets and cabinets and saw the abundant amount of shampoo, medicines, deodorant and other random things you find at CVS and Walgreens. All good, and yes useful, but do I really need 7 bottles of shampoo and 10 tubes of toothpaste. I feel a tad bit like a hoarder. Like I am living beyond my means. 2 extra tubes of toothpaste and maybe 2 0r 3 shampoos are okay, but do I really need 7 and 10? I did get most of them on sale - but I had to spend money out of my pocket on things I really didn't need. Even though it was $4.00 here and $1.00 there it all adds up at the end of the month. So far this month I am WAY under budget and I haven't stepped foot into CVS or Walgreens in just about 2 weeks! We are doing fine, I am not running out of anything so therefore I do not need to shop. I admit, it is hard seeing the flyers, $5.99 deodorant and get $4.99 back. But, all I need to do is open our cabinet and see...I have 5 extra deodorants already. The deals will still be around when I do finally run out of our huge stock pile of toiletries and medication. And I will be glad to coupon game my way through CVS and Walgreens trying to make the best deal. For now, I am taking a break from coupons (CVS and Walgreens). Not totally, I will still use them on food and try to get a good deal, but only on things I truly need. Not on things just so I can get a good deal.
Do coupons really work?
5:00 AM
What are you thoughts? Do you agree or disagree with what I said?
10 comments:
I've heard a saying that can be so true sometimes--"You can go broke saving money." My mother in law does this--she can't pass up a sale. The result--TONS of things that they don't need cluttering up the house! It's definitely a balance. Saving money on things you need and letting the other things go. :)
I agree. I don't really stock pile too much. I have a few extra things but not a surplus. Right now, I'm only shopping for the neccessities and bypass other things unless I can actually get it for free!
AH! So sorry! I had NO CLUE how long that last comment had gotten until after I hit "publish"... that's what happens when I "watch" the debate with my hubby, I guess :) :)
Hi! I have just discovered all the wonderful blogs that everyone seems to have! It has been so fun to read them:)
I have always agreed that coupons do not save me money. I buy generics, plan meals, and use ad-matching at Walmart (they will match any price in the ads). However, it isn't as much fun:(
I think I agree with you. I pretty much stopped using coupons since we lost our job, which seems weird, since I could save a bunch...but we just can't buy stuff we don't need. I still look at the deals and will randomly get the free stuff. I kind of just know what I'm running out of and look at the circulars for all the grocery stores to see if any one of them is having a sale, then I look to see if I have a coupon for it.
Hey Tracy! I just started CVS/Walgreens a few months ago and had gone back and forth about trying b/c I didn't want to get an abundance of "stuff", even if it's a great deal! On the other hand, I needed to find a way to save money. I've limited the time and resources I use to find deals, but it has been so much fun to see the savings and to be able to bless other people! It's been fun to be able to be on the look out for needs and give things away that I've gotten for free (I've seen so many of my friends doing this for some time now!). With a pretty tight budget, spending a extra time shopping at CVS/Walgreens has given us a way to be a little more generous during this season! Oh, and I kind of like having really good toothpaste and new make up that I've been getting for FREE!! I do make my grocery lists and CVS/Walgreens lists before I go shopping and have a really good idea of what I'm buying and usually don't deviate from my list.
Well, I think you can definitely go broke getting good deals! No matter how great a deal it is I don't buy it unless I will use it and need it soon. I don't have a lot of room for storage either. I just try to see how little I can spend in a month and that helps keep my focus on not buying things we don't need.
So, far this, year, I've found using coupons and coupon games/blog sites to be SO helpful! There's been a few times when I have overspent or built up a huge stock of toothpaste, deodorants, etc. But I just take a break from buying those things for a while and then my budgeting all adds up again; and what I'm trying to do now at CVS is only buys things using ECBs that then also give you more ECBs so I'm not spending ANY of my own money. I'm not great at this, but getting better... I have to say I LOVE grocery shopping now and using coupons/sales and CVS's Extra Care Program has definitely saved our family LOTS - especially in diapers and formula! :):)
Good post, Tracy.
I stockpiled at first and now I only buy at CVS if it will be free.
You can def get a little carried away, but I think if you stockpile first, and be wise while you have tons of stuff, it works out.
It was hard a few months ago because I felt like I was spending more rather than saving, but as the months went on (most blogs etc. tell you this) I started seeing huge rewards.
It does take a lot of self control. :-)
Hey Girles,
You should ask Tara about her yard sale and see what you think:)
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