Lately I really resent having to play the frugal game. I resent having to waste valuable time clipping coupons, looking at ads, etc. I know I don’t HAVE to do it. It is something that I choose to do. But I resent the fact that if I don’t do it, I’m penalized.
Penalized, you say?
Yes, penalized. Let’s face it. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers didn’t have to waste time stopping at two or three stores, Walgreens, CVS, etc. to pick up the loss leaders, watch the ads, and go to blogs or paid online services to find out the best place to combine this coupon with that special this week. They went to the store and bought what they wanted and what they could afford at the prices marked. Am I the only one who finds all of this hoop jumping just a little ridiculous when you really think about it?
If I don’t do those things, I am penalized. When people go to Walgreens and do some fantastic transaction that involves ringing up multiple items with coupons, rebates, earned dollar credit things and who knows what else, who do you think is paying for it? The corporation? I don’t think so. The corporation isn’t going to cut their profits because some mom in Michigan is making out like a bandit. Those savings come out of the pockets of everyone who doesn’t play the game and pays full price.
I know it is asking a lot, but wouldn’t it be easier if we all just got a fair price for the item in the first place? Should we really need to waste our precious life energy on things so stupid as couponing and rebating and whatever else is involved? Doesn’t anyone else resent this stupid system to we have to deal with?
I know why people play these games. It helps them stay home with their kids, it gives them money for other things, etc. I’m not saying they are bad people for playing the game and playing it very well in some cases. I’m just saying that I resent the fact that if I don’t play the game, I’m subsidizing someone else’s game playing.
On the other hand, when I do play the game, someone else is subsidizing me. And that bothers me, too.
Is it a Christ-like thing to do this? Would Christ buy ten tubes of toothpaste at once in five transactions so he could get ten dollars back in rebates and a five dollar gift card for some future purchase?
Does any of what I’m saying make sense to anyone else?
Wishing Paybacks On Your Children
Don’t have the faintest idea what Christ would do about buying toothpaste — *grin* — but I do know what you mean. In our area, all the stores have little cards you scan at the cash register, and if you do, you get a cheaper price than if you don’t. It’s ridiculous. You can sign up for one that second if you like, and I have seen cashiers use some extra card they keep at the register if you forgot yours — yet if you don’t use the card, you’re penalized and pay more for the very same item WITHOUT COUPONS than if you DO use the card.
I don’t know why. That just bugs me. Naturally, we use it, but it still bugs me.
Susan (mama to eight)
Right there with you, Sallie! I’m a working mom, and the weekends are my time with my family without worrying about homework or this or that that needs to be done for the next day. And I hate having to go through the paper to get the coupons and the sale ads.
Of course, I must admit, too, to having been quite proud of myself yesterday when I saved $12 in coupons at the grocery story. There’s not really a good answer here, I’m afraid.
I hate it, too! And I hate going to store after store, looking for the best deal. Now, I know some people are anti-Walmart, but I love Walmart. There! I said it, and I’m not ashamed of it! We’ve lived in places that don’t have a Walmart, and I’ve learned that they help keep the price of groceries down. If the other grocery stores don’t have to compete with them, than their prices are higher. Sometimes ridiculously so. So, now that we live near Super-Walmart again, I don’t play the coupon game. I buy the Walmart brand at Walmart, and I make double of everything and freeze it, and I have decided to just feel good about that and stop worrying about how much more I could save if I stressed myself out trying to figure out how to quadruple some coupons. I sorta feel like it’s dishonest to work the system in crazy ways that the store never intended. Yes, use the coupon, but 5 individual transations? Did the store or the manufacturer ever intend that? Probably not…
Hmmm… I never really thought of it that way. I’ve always been a little envious that Americans CAN get such awesome deals and get double coupon days, etc. I’ve heard of cases where Americans have had so many coupons that they received money back!
We don’t get deals like that in Canada. I still use coupons (mostly .50 to 1.00 and not valid with any other offer, no double coupon days EVER and rebates aren’t usually much when you have to buy a stamp). I check for sales and use the store cards to get the lower prices, etc.
But you make a good point. I never though of it as a game that the non-participants have to pay for.
If I remember correctly Amy D. of Tightwad Gazette fame, does not use coupons because she buys necessities in bulk and seldom buys brand name items. So, she said it wasn’t worth her time to clip coupons.
I agree!! A few months ago I was reading a website that explained how to “do” CVS, Walgreens, etc. and how to use coupons at the grocery store. I thought I would give it a try but I spent a lot time cutting them out and organizing them. I kept track of my savings but it turned out that I was spending more! I find it easier to buy store brands at all possible but still use coupons only for the things I use. One of the things in the CVS flyer I saw was for cold medicine but you had to buy five bottles. I don’t think we have ever used one bottle during the winter months let alone five. Suppose you didn’t use all that and they expired. What a waste!! I would rather watch for sales (like Target and K-Mart) and stock up on things I know I’ll need.
Anyway, it was just too much time and trouble. I noticed that one woman who advocates this doesn’t homeschool. There’s a lot I could get accomplished if I didn’t homeschool but I wouldn’t trade that for any amount of savings. 🙂
lolol Sallie, I feel your pain! I play the game for awhile and then have to take a break or burn out, although I don’t do the big Walgreens/CVS thing. I just try to match up coupons and stores that have the best deals. I go cross-eyed trying to make sense of those big super deals I keep reading about. More power to those who can do them and not go loopy.
So when are you going to accept the invitation I sent you to my private blog?!!
I gave up coupon shopping a long time ago. I use to take pride in it, but I’m way too busy now so I have my 2 favorite stores that I think have the best deals. Time is PRECIOUS, more than saving a BUCK! 🙂
Great post!
This is a great topic! (As always Sallie!)
When I first got married I tried to do the Walgreens coupon thing and after a couple of months I realized I was spending more that I had before. In order to make it work, I’d have to buy brands that I didn’t normally buy or were unfamiliar with. Next thing I knew, I’d be stuck with two bottles of shampoo that I didn’t like. I’d try to force myself to use them and then about half way through I’d just give up and end up with two half used, wasted bottles of shampoo. Now, I buy things we use a lot of and quickly at Costco- i.e. razors, shaving cream, q-tips for my husband, toilet paper, etc. and then I buy Target brand nearly everything else.
As far as food goes, I definitely agree with Lindsey- the coupons are almost always for junk food anyway. I can’t say that I go so far as to shop locally, although thank you for the reminder to do so, Lindsey. I think people sometimes forget that eating poorly can cost you money in other ares- poor health is expensive.
I know what you mean. I think that we all have to weigh our priorities. If we just don’t have the time to clip coupons and there are more important things that need more immediate attention, I really thing that God will take care of your needs. If we do the best we can under the circumstances we are given, God knows how and where we struggle and will supply our needs in one way, shape or form. Some days, there are just more important things than saving a buck, even though that buck may be our last one.
So do you resent people who buy something when it’s on sale, or only if they combine it with a coupon? Do you resent people who watch TV or buy newspapers? Because the companies spend money on ads for TV and papers, and that makes the prices go up, too.
The companies do all of these things (including sales, rebates, and coupons) because it brings them more business. If they lost money doing it they would stop. I don’t think they charge one dime more because of these things. They run sales and rebates because it gets people in the door, and while they’re in there they’re likely to buy something else. Enough people do that it makes it worth it for the store. I don’t think you should resent someone who gets the good deals and doesn’t take the bait.
I don’t think you’re being “penalized” for not clipping coupons any more than I’m being “penalized” for not working outside the home. It’s a choice you make. I don’t see it as something I “have” to do that my grandmother didn’t have to do, I see it as something I GET to do that my grandmother didn’t get to do.
And when I have been able to donate the items I’ve gotten cheap or free to someone who is about to lose their home, when otherwise I would not be able to afford to help them at that level, I have to say I felt very much as if I were doing what Christ would do.
You know I’ve been a long time reader and fan of yours. But if I’m being honest with you I have to say I think this post is whiny and snotty.
Hi Sallie-
I never thought of it quite like that before. My family does most if our shopping at Aldi’s where the prices are always low.
I don’t know if it works quite the way you think it does in terms of you making up the corporation’s loss when someone else gets a really good deal. I know the corporations aren’t just going to willingly give out super deals without be concerned in how they are going to make up the loss. However, I would be interested to know how it actually works.
Also, it’s kind of like the early bird gets the worm. It is hard work to stay up with all the deals and such(I don’t do it) and those that do it reap the benefits.
Yes, our grandmother’s didn’t have to worry about such things. But, I believe my mother and my husband’s mother did have to remember when double coupon day was if they wanted to take advantage of it.
I wouldn’t worry so much about it Sallie…
For someone of us to feed our families, we do have to try and get the best deals…we shop at Aldi, as military it is even cheaper than the commissary. Quite frankly, we have trouble making ends meet, and frugality isn’t a choice for us.
Blessings,
Lacey
PS. Christ did tell us that a person that is lazy starves and we have to do our best with the resources we’ve been given.
Oh Sallie! You read my mind, didn’t you? I am *so* into this topic right now. I could write a ton but I’ll try to keep it minimum.
Yes, it stinks going around the world to get the best deals/loss leaders. I did it for awhile, but I don’t anymore.
You know what I do???? I shop local. I support the small town guy down the street. I go to the farmers market and buy fresh produce from a farm nearby, not something flown in on a 747 from California that looks “fresh” but really isn’t.
If we’d all support our local people, we wouldn’t even be discussing this. But yes, Walmart, Walgreens on every corner, and CVS corporations are REAL and are here to stay, sadly. They give us choice! They give us low prices! But they also keep us constantly discontent—we can do better! We can save more! We can get better deals! (even if it puts Farmer Bob out of business)
This is the deal—spend what you can where you can and find CONTENTMENT in the process. IF running around harry-scary makes you discontent, don’t do it. I’d rather spend $10 more a week and ease my conscience, as well as not drive all over town trying to get the best deal. In the end, MY TIME IS AS GOOD AS MY MONEY!!!
Oh, I could keep going. These women who triple-coupon themselves into oblivion are also feeding themselves and their family junk in a can or a box. Those things we buy on sale with coupons and loss leaders are very, very RARELY fresh veggies, fruit, and good for you. They’re usually full of additives, HFCS and more stuff our bodies don’t really need. But hey, it is a good deal right, and we can’t afford not to!?!?!?
I agree completely with Lindsey! My time is worth something. I realize that some families do have to coupon as much as possible in order to keep a parent at home, and that is even with living a very non-materialistic lifestyle. When my first child was born we were living on less than 38k a year. We did not give up fresh food. Instead we gave up extras like eating out weekly, magazines, new CD’s, brand name clothing and driving (not really, but we were thankfully living in a small town and my husband could walk to work so we only bought gas about once a month)!
I used to be a big couponer, but as I started focusing our diet more on fresh food coupons went by the wayside. I use mostly natural cleaning ingredients like baking soda and vinegar so I don’t use those coupons. About the only thing I use them for is paper towels and TP. I find there is ultimately less waste with the name brands vs. store brands in those two so I use the coupons.
As to Jeana’s comment about there most likely not being a mark-up because of these rebate/special buy promotions there most definitely is! I understand completely what Sallie refers to when talking about how her grandmother/great-grandmother shopped. The selection was much more limited, it was focused mainly on whole foods from local farmers and everyone paid the same price. There were no gimmicks to get you to buy two when one was all you needed. No gimmicks to get you to sign-up for a shopper’s card so the store can track purchases. No gimmicky endcap displays (and the coupon to go along with it) selling the latest product that is full of high-fructose corn syrup or some soy based derivative or both!
And as several poster alluded to: poor health has a very high cost!
I totally understand, Sallie!! Up until a month ago, my husband and I were both working full time corporate jobs. Then, I was laid off and now I’ve decided to work from home doing freelance design. Since money is tight right now, I have started to dabble with coupons and CVS deals. For one, I hate all the data mining of using those cards – that they are tracking my buying habits and purchases. Just makes me feel a little vulnerable, you know what I mean? Also, I’ve noticed some of the pictures of shopping trips that people have posted and it seems like they get TONS more than they need. I’ve noticed I am more likely to use things like dish soap more liberally if I know there are three more bottles under the sink.
Ok, I reread my comment #14 and I was probably a little too strong about companies not doing good for people. I’m not a total cynic. However, the bottom line is what drives companies. If they were more concerned about people than bottom lines, we wouldn’t be talking with someone in India when we’re trying to make an appointment at the Sears Portrait studio a few miles away.
Lindsey wrote:
This is another aspect of it that bothers me. And I realize this is not going to be an issue for all women, just some of us with certain personalities. But I really do believe that some women start to measure their value and worth by this stuff. I mean Suzie can feed her family of 10 for $50 a week and I can’t seem to feed my family of 4 well for less than $100 a week. I am such a loser! I just need to try harder! Blah blah blah. It truly does concern me how this impacts some Christian women especially and the expectations and pressure it puts on women to work it harder, do it more, make it work because if all these women around me online can do it I should be able to do it too! I must be uncommitted! I must be lazy! Yada yada yada!
Ok, I know I’m opening a whole ‘nother can of worms and probably have lost some readers tonight, but I’ve been bothered by this stuff for quite a while. And I’ve lived long enough to know that if I’m thinking about it chances are so are a lot of other people.
Gosh, I was going to say all that. But I didn’t realize that I felt that way… I just don’t play except for an occasional dabble in a yard sale or Goodwill. “They” play those games there too.
Miss Meg
You can resent the companies if you like. Resenting other people and implying they are being dishonest or taking money from your pocket is a little over the top. Seriously, I’m taking absolutely nothing from you if I get a Walgreens coupon and you don’t.
I am very busy and very low income. Sometimes, I have to pay full price for everything because I don’t have time to go around and get the deals. Never once have I thought that I was subsidizing other people’s saving money. Please! If I choose not to use a coupon or do a rebate that’s my own problem and I am not sure it’s ok to resent other people to tell you the truth.
As far as using coupons to feed my child junk, that’s not what we do. I use coupons for items I will buy. If I won’t feed it to my son for nutritional reasons a coupon won’t entice me to buy it either.
I have purchased extra things with coupons and rebates and perhaps before people assume others are “buying more than they need” they should think about what low income people are able to do with extra items.
I am donating things to the missionary cupboard, to the family that provides a lot of child care for my son, to the Pastor and his family, using it as gifts.
If you waste things when you buy more than one than don’t buy more than one.
Ok now, as a business owner, I offer sales and coupons and I do not price things any higher just because I run sales. If I sell a higher volume of goods at a discount, I make more money than if I only sell everything at regular price. Sales and coupons are meant to keep the name of the business or product in the consumers mind. Even if you don’t use a coupon, you thought about that store or item and that’s what advertising is about.
What about affiliate links and paid ads on blogs?
If you resent people playing the coupon game, should there be resentment for those who advertise on their blogs? I do so I’m not saying you shouldn’t.
But if the argument is that my use of coupons take money out of your pocket, I must wonder if items at Amazon or Hearthsong or The Homeschooler’s Book of Lists cost more because they pay you (or me) to run an ad?
Sallie, I had a post all typed up that I lost because I forgot to add the numbers together. To make a long story short, I completely agree with you. I was having the same thoughts myself this morning when I realized “The Grocery Game” was not worth it for me, at all, in terms of time/energy. I do better just watching the circulars myself to stockpile on my own, and just finding the stores with generally the best prices.
I never said I resent the people playing the game. I went out of my way to say that I didn’t think they were bad people, I understand why people do it and some of them do it very well. I never said anything about people being dishonest. I simply said I resent the whole system and wish that we could all just get a fair price and do other things with our time.
And I stand by my comment that there is a bottom line. If you aren’t playing the game, you are losing out.
Sigh. I should just stick to toilet paper polls.
Lizzie (#21) – Yes, they probably do. Advertising adds to the cost of stuff. So, yes, by running ads I am probably part of the problem as well.
I have saved so much grocery money since I started shopping Aldi first and then going to Meijer for the rest of my groceries.
I’m not against couponing, I just don’t get the paper. I did have to go to the store today, and I bought a Sunday paper. It is funny because I just finished clipping the coupons I wanted before I got on the computer.
I was watching a show the other day called “John and Kate plus Eight” on TLC which is about a family with twins and sextuplets. One of the episodes was about the mom grocery shopping. She said she spends about $150 a week, and tries to buy all organic as much as possible. She uses coupons and sale ads and stocks up whenever possible. So I guess you can use coupons for foods other than junk food. 🙂
I knew this post would probably generate a lot of comments on both sides of the aisle and that’s fine. I knew people would agree with me and I knew people would probably be offended.
I stand by what I wrote. I resent the whole system that makes life more complicated for all of us.
Businesses are not charities. They aren’t out to be generous and do good for people. They are out to make a profit and keep the stockholders happy. I don’t have a problem with businesses making a fair profit. I’m a business owner myself and I know all about the need to have a positive bottom line. But I also know that businesses are all about parting the customer with his money. Does the business want the money in your wallet to be in your wallet when you leave the store? No. They want it in their cash register.
Susan (#1) mentioned those dumb cards. I hate those things too. Partially because they are a pain to use and partially because many of the grocery chains sell your purchasing information to companies.
Coupons and rebates are relatively new. I didn’t do a Google search on coupons and their history, but David tells me he remembers when Meijer started doing rebates on stuff in the stores when he worked there in college. People didn’t understand them because they were such a new idea. This was only in the 80’s.
I did a quick Google search and here are three articles about rebates. Rebates are all about making money for the companies, not giving money back to the consumer.
Rebates: Only 60 percent pay up
Why companies use rebates
Bill to stop rebated and gift card scams on Governor’s desk
As I said in my post, I understand why people do this stuff. I even wrote a post a couple of months ago about transferring our prescriptions to Rite Aid because we got two $20 gift cards for doing so. I used coupons this week. I’m not going to be a hypocrite and pretend that I don’t use them. But I resent the whole system and the time it takes.
One last thought and this one was via a conversation with my dad… Why is it that Kohl’s, Penney’s and numerous other retailers CONSTANTLY have sales? I mean they have sales EVERY WEEK. And not just 10% off. We’re talking 50% and 60%+ off. Yesterday I bought a Christmas dress for Caroline at Kohls and it was 55% off. Was it really 55% off or was it just priced too high to begin with and so they say it is 55% off when in reality I’m really just paying what SHOULD have been regular price?
It’s psychological warfare out there, folks, pure and simple. And you better believe the retailers are going to do everything they can to get you to believe they are doing you a favor while they are taking your money.
Call me a cynic if you want, but that’s how I see it. 🙂
One last comment and then I have to head to bed. Instead of just saying, “I stand by my comment”, I’ll give an example.
I go to Walgreens and get $50 worth of stuff for $0.75. For the sake of this example, let’s assume that Walgreens has a 100% markup on their product. (I don’t know what it actually is.) So they pay their vendors $25 for the $50 worth of merchandise I bought for $0.75. Where does Walgreens get the $24.25 they need to pay their vendors for the stuff I bought for $0.75? Our of their profits? Ok. Where do they get their profits? From their customers. So if I’m walking off with $50 worth of product for $0.75, who is paying for the rest of it?