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The following is a guest post by Outside the Box Mom:
Last week, we discussed goals when using coupons. This week, I’ve listed some common reasons why people don’t use coupons.
I Don’t Have Time
Ten years ago, I used to do my own match-ups, clip every coupon, and check prices on every item I had a coupon for to see if I could get a good deal. That was before I was married with two children. Now, I file whole coupon inserts, check store deals blogs, make my list of best deals for the week, shop with that list, and skip some unadvertised deals I happen upon in the store (because I don’t carry all of my coupons with me). One hour a week could save you 50% on your grocery bill.
I Don’t Have Any Coupons
You could ask friends, neighbors, or co-workers to save their coupons from the Sunday newspaper for you. Or, you could print coupons online from sites like Coupon Sherpa using your own computer and printer. My friends and grandparents save their coupons for me. In addition, there is a free local newspaper in my area that includes the Sunday Smart Source coupon inserts. Each week, I have at least 6-8 sets of coupon inserts.
It’s Too Overwhelming!
Start small and slow. Pick the most expensive item or the items that cost you the most collectively (because you buy them most frequently). Then, work your way up to at least 10-15 items which you could get for much less if you used coupons. Once you begin to see your grocery bill decrease and your grocery budget stretch further, you will want to try more and more deals.
No Coupon on Products I Buy
According to moneysavingmom.com: “[t]here are often coupons available for fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, flour, baking soda, toothbrushes, razors, toilet paper, and light bulbs.”
There are even coupons on pet products, organic products, restaurant meals, hair cuts, and other types of services. Many coupon blogs maintain coupon databases where you can search for coupons by brand name or item (example: “Purina” or “dog food”). While it’s fine to be brand specific on certain products (maybe 20% of items you regularly purchase), you will save the most money if you are open to other brands on the remaining 80% of items you regularly purchase.
Next week, we will discuss how you can overcome these common obstacles by changing one thing.
What makes using coupons too challenging for you?
This is an interactive series, which will feature answers to your questions. So, ask away!
– Outside The Box Mom features quick, easy, time-saving tips and solutions to help busy, working moms find balance, easy meals, deals, and time for moms. Follow her on Twitter.
There is always time to look for coupons! Soon it becomes like a game to see how much you can lower your bill. I love it!
Becky- my grandpa was the SAME WAY- tell him all money saved is good money! LOL I LOVE coupons!
I’m probably a casual coupon-er…if I accidentally come across a coupon for something I need then I’ll use it. My husband is my biggest drawback though…he’s actually embarrassed that I use coupons…such a funny man!
and i would like to add one more……I LEAVE THEM HOME….I am the worst when it comes to remembering…went shopping yesterday and oops coupons were home…but in the shopping cart at Costco was a book of coupons left there..so i used them…and then passed them on to the lady waiting for the shopping cart…sharing…I sometimes put the coupons in the car but then they expire before I use them….I am only half bad..but trying to get better.
Outside The Box Mom is a mind reader! You’ve spoken to basically all of my excuses for NOT using coupons! I’m shamed into submission! 🙂 Now I’ll have to follow the rest of your series. Kudos!