There are a plethora of TV shows now that highlight extreme couponers and their uncanny ability to pay next to nothing for hundreds of dollars of groceries and household items. They spend hours finding coupons and shopping and have built huge stockpiles reminiscient of the whole communist scare of the Cold War. I half expect some of them to strap on a metal helmet and run bomb-shelter drills for the neighborhood.
I remember when I was growing up how my mom would sit with all of her newspaper ads and clip coupons. We'd set out for the stores and she'd slowly navigate the aisles looking for the best deals. The only difference between now and then is that she didn't need a calculator to figure the best prices, but that is a commentary that would take me down the path of railing against modern education. We'll save that for a later date.
I read recently that couponing has long been a frowned upon practice reserved only for the poor or classless. But, I think my fellow couponers should bond together as we are demonstrating the frugality that our great-grandmothers utilized to survive the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and other similar circumstances. They may not have had coupons, but they had common sense and they knew how to find deals, creative solutions, and ways to survive. This approach to life is something that should be embraced, celebrated, and honored. However, as I repeatedly witness young people whose mothers have failed to teach them independence and survival skills, I know that it most likely will continue to be frowned upon by people who enjoy a more pampered lifestyle than myself.
I find myself now curious about the potential savings that couponing can provide. Actually I must admit that I have dived into the deep end of the pool and purchased the binder and price tracking sheets. It's a deep shade of green - large and zippered with many pockets and lots of sheets to display my coupons for ease of location and use. It's a beautiful thing.
As I slowly cruised the aisles of the grocery store today, I could sense the strange looks from my fellow shoppers. I just smiled slightly and kept on checking the normal prices and the sale prices and consulting the mighty stack of coupons for deals. I know that they thought they were witnessing a real-life extreme couponer, but little did they know that I am nowhere near playing in that league.
I am, however, substantially saving money for my family. I've discovered that at minimum I can usually trim 25% off my bill. The most I've saved so far has been 75%. Imagine what I will be able to do with all this extra money! I have not put up shelving in the garage for stockpiling - I limit myself to only purchasing what we need and/or use frequently. We're eating healthier, eating at home (although I have a healthy stack of restaurant coupons as well), and saving money. How is this not a good thing?
So, when you see me coming with my green binder and you think it looks a little nerdy, you are right, but all I have to say is don't mock the green coupon binder - it's the color of money!
I remember when I was growing up how my mom would sit with all of her newspaper ads and clip coupons. We'd set out for the stores and she'd slowly navigate the aisles looking for the best deals. The only difference between now and then is that she didn't need a calculator to figure the best prices, but that is a commentary that would take me down the path of railing against modern education. We'll save that for a later date.
I read recently that couponing has long been a frowned upon practice reserved only for the poor or classless. But, I think my fellow couponers should bond together as we are demonstrating the frugality that our great-grandmothers utilized to survive the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and other similar circumstances. They may not have had coupons, but they had common sense and they knew how to find deals, creative solutions, and ways to survive. This approach to life is something that should be embraced, celebrated, and honored. However, as I repeatedly witness young people whose mothers have failed to teach them independence and survival skills, I know that it most likely will continue to be frowned upon by people who enjoy a more pampered lifestyle than myself.
I find myself now curious about the potential savings that couponing can provide. Actually I must admit that I have dived into the deep end of the pool and purchased the binder and price tracking sheets. It's a deep shade of green - large and zippered with many pockets and lots of sheets to display my coupons for ease of location and use. It's a beautiful thing.
As I slowly cruised the aisles of the grocery store today, I could sense the strange looks from my fellow shoppers. I just smiled slightly and kept on checking the normal prices and the sale prices and consulting the mighty stack of coupons for deals. I know that they thought they were witnessing a real-life extreme couponer, but little did they know that I am nowhere near playing in that league.
I am, however, substantially saving money for my family. I've discovered that at minimum I can usually trim 25% off my bill. The most I've saved so far has been 75%. Imagine what I will be able to do with all this extra money! I have not put up shelving in the garage for stockpiling - I limit myself to only purchasing what we need and/or use frequently. We're eating healthier, eating at home (although I have a healthy stack of restaurant coupons as well), and saving money. How is this not a good thing?
So, when you see me coming with my green binder and you think it looks a little nerdy, you are right, but all I have to say is don't mock the green coupon binder - it's the color of money!
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