CVS ~ Other cvs---Telling all your friends... [Archive]

jcpal

11-06-2009, 01:20:15 PM

I don't get it. I am all pumped about my CVS and other grocery store hauls. But, when I tell my friends and try to welcome them on board they all look at me weird.

Why go through all the bother of coupons and planning etc: they say. Or you buy stuff you wouldnt of spent money on any way, or they just dont believe me on the deals I get. Seriously, when I tell them I got $50 of cold medicine and dove soap products for $0.75. They dont believe me and still refuse to believe me when I show them the reciept.

I guess my biggest problem is that I guess I had someone I can share this with that would get as excited about it as I do, or even My friend who is a SAHM with 3 kiddos try it out but is too lazy. (Btw, she can barely keep them fed b/c they arent good with money.) I just dont understand why others would not get curious and want to join in. Seiously I get 5x the amount of groceries they do and only spend 25% as much as they do.

Does anyone else feel others look down on them for getting free or discounted groceries without using food stamps but doing about an hours worth of work and research? It is not that we dont make plently of money. Heck! I have a full time job making $60k. My metality is that I can get more for cheaper so I can have more for big kid toys or even the dreaded emergency without having to use a credit card. What are the opinions of others who do this hobby.

Colinsgrandma

11-06-2009, 01:35:22 PM

When I really started mega-couponing I could see peoples eyes start to glaze when I was talking. My sister is into couponing now so she and I can talk and I've gotten over the initial euphoria of getting stuff free. Eventually you just get that while I can't see why people don't coupon it is their life and money.

gctattoo

11-06-2009, 01:39:33 PM

I usually don't talk about couponing with people IRL. If they don't care to do it, oh well. They can pay full price and be poor. Not my problem.

shannon1189

11-06-2009, 01:46:51 PM

I love using coupons but I can not seem to get the mega deals. I feel so lost . I do not mind hearing about the great deals so post away anytime.

dms9683

11-06-2009, 01:48:27 PM

My family all think I'm a nutter for couponing. Yet they never seen to say "no" when I offer them free toothpaste, shampoo etc. In fact, I'm glad that they don't do coupons because that means that they will give me their inserts. Yay more deals for me! They tell me I have too much time on my hands. Yeah I'm laid off right now, I DO have too much time on my hands. If I coupon I can feed my shopping compusion while getting stuff that I need without spending much money. To each their own!

anaj06

11-06-2009, 01:50:38 PM

People just think I am crazy:) So, I don't talk about it much.

Sweet_Southern_Mama

11-06-2009, 01:59:58 PM

I think my family thought I was nuts at first, but now they all coupon too. Well, except for my mother-in-law. She might eventually, but I try not to bring it up unless she asks about it. If she ever asks me to I'll teach her how to do it.

jcpal

11-06-2009, 02:08:46 PM

My MIL thinks its the collest thing ever and would love to do it but she wont. She would be the one who pays someone to do it so she can say she coupons and saves $x.xx every month.

accred1

11-06-2009, 02:10:04 PM

Most all of us have experienced the glazed look/are your crazy attitude towards our couponing tales. Feel free to post here any times because we UNDERSTAND and love to hear of the tales of others. It just gives us more ideas of things we might have missed. Don't consider yourself unemployed. You are just working at a different job for the time being (matching coupons with deals).

jpete

11-06-2009, 02:18:58 PM

I was just thinking the same thing! My husband and I bought some additional cabinets and shelving, so I'm paying my older brother to put them in (we don't know how to do it and heaven forbid family should help one another out for free). So, my brother and his wife came over the other night to do some measuring and things, and she made some comment about my stack of coupons on the dining room table and he said "what a waste of time"! Then, she said "I don't know why you need more cupboards, you have enough. Ours are half empty because we're too busy to eat at home. It must be nice to have so much free time to clip coupons and cook at home!" (It should be noted that DH and I both work full time and I'm a full time PhD student, it's not like we sit around looking for things to occupy our time). I was a little peeved. So was my husband. Oh well, I'll be thinking about how much free time I have when they're working this winter and I'm using my saved money in Cancun!!!

Some people will never get it and will judge you no matter what. It's their loss I guess!!:giggle2:

angiek8

11-06-2009, 02:38:53 PM

i get mostly supportive comments from my friends/family. they are amazed at what all i get for free and almost free. i am ocd and gets lots so i share my treasures and that helps.

GreatFun

11-06-2009, 02:39:04 PM

Look at it this way -- if you tell all your friends and they get all excited and start doing it too you will have a lot more competition for the limited supply of products for future deals.

There have been plenty of people on this site and others that have complained of a different problem than yours -- they actually got a few of their friends excited and interested and showed them how to do it and then the friends turned out to be shelf clearers so now they can't get the deals like they used to.

texwifeinct

11-06-2009, 02:44:20 PM

We love to hear how well you are doing!! I know what you mean tho my friend that taught me all about this way of life had to move and now I don't have anyone besides my hubby who really understands. It is hard too, because if I even begin to tell someone about it I get super excited and have to remember to hammer down the brakes before someone comes at me with a straight jacket!!!

jcpal

11-06-2009, 02:47:49 PM

That is a good way to think about it. Keep it a secret so others wont get my CVS deals. I hate having to go to my second choice CVS because someone cleared the shelf of that weeks deal.

newatthis

11-06-2009, 03:07:21 PM

I usually don't talk about couponing with people IRL. If they don't care to do it, oh well. They can pay full price and be poor. Not my problem.

Unless people ask, I just don't say much. I use to try to give freinds coupons and tell them where to get the deals, and they let the q's expire, didn't care- so I quit.

She might eventually, but I try not to bring it up unless she asks about it. If she ever asks me to I'll teach her how to do it.

If they ask, talk talk talk. If they are not interested tho, you are wasting time and breath!

Post about it- find one or two people who listen, the rest really honestly probably don';t care. More deals for yoU!

saving-n-va

11-06-2009, 03:11:24 PM

I was asked to teach a couponing class at church. 18 women showed up. They all seemed interested....as far as I know not one has really gotten into couponing at all. However, I told my niece and one SIL about it and they are loving it. Then told dh's sister about it because she is broke all the time and she said she didn't have the time for it (she wasn't even working at the time and her kids are in their teens?!??) No time...ha! Too lazy.

ekoury

11-06-2009, 03:13:02 PM

Most of my family (and when I say that I mean DH's family because they are the closest) think it is smart to save money this way. They all coupon a little, except for 1 of my SILs. She coupons a lot, but she lives in CA and they do not double where she lives, etc...

My take on it - why spend the money on full price items when I can get a lot more for less? I was raised in a country where credit cards did not exist, there was only 1 bank, and nobody dreamed about "an American dream" with everything that's included in it. I am not used to debt, I am not used to having what you want now and paying for it on a credit card in the next 100 years. While certain things like house, cars need to be bought with a loan, or, emergency spending and big ticket items (laundry machines, freezers, refrigerators, etc) can be put by us on a credit card (with no interest and every possible coupon we can find), we try to pay it off before the interest offer runs out. We are not interested in "you can have it for only $20 per month, and forgot to add, you will pay for it 200 years at that rate." And my DH was born and raised in the USA, but his take on this is the same as mine after the way he struggled in his life.

Couponing allows us to live good and use most brand items and use the money we would otherwise spend on the same items for something else - saving, travel, you name it.

If people are too lazy or do not believe that this is possible, it is their problem. There is saying in my country - fewer people, more oxygen. Means - fewer people do the deals, more for you to have. I tell my friends what I do and if they ask more questions, I tell them the secrets. If they do not seem to be interested, I leave it alone. To each is own...

DJH715

11-06-2009, 03:16:51 PM

My hubby, kids and friends thought I was crazy when I started too. I started filling the shelves in my garage and they figured I lost it. Now they love to do what we call "going shopping in the garage" when they run out of something. My 24 year old daughter who was one of my biggest critics in the beginning, just loves how much money her mom saves her now. She even brags on my deals to her friends and their moms. My girlfriends were skeptics too saying "we don't have enough time to do this". Well they are now using coupons when they do their regular shopping. They don't mega shop or anything, but they have been telling me "wow I saved $25 in coupons today" and my response is always "well better in your pocket than in theirs, that will pay part of your cable bill or put gas in your car." They are now starting to get it. Keep your head high and don't let people make you feel bad for saving your family money. If they choose to spend more for things than they should well to each his own. You always have your couponing buddies here at HCW to talk to about your great deals.

txvillan

11-06-2009, 03:28:56 PM

Same thing here my DH, and DD age 16 where skeptical at first. But, what I did is take them shopping with me with my coupons and they where both so surprised and happy of how much money I saved. Now when I go do my deals my DH says how much did you save. Instead of saying how much did you spend. I told my SIL's about it I have three and one got really into it. So now we both go to work the deals. :smile: It's great to have you all to talk about if there was no else I could share my savings with.

nicellis0325

11-06-2009, 03:33:47 PM

My friends think its cool, and then they want me to hold their hand to help them get deals. I love to teach people to do it, but if they aren't really in to it, then what's the point? It gets really frustrating when they want me to give them the scenario, the coupons, and go with them to do it. It takes a lot of extra time to do it, and I feel like it is taking advantage of me when they don't follow through and just learn to do it themselves! Does anyone else encounter this, or am I just crazy? It seems like they want the end result, but do not want to do any work to get there.

mrsfloyd

11-06-2009, 04:15:45 PM

My family and friends are pretty much in awe of my couponing - sometimes they'll try out some deal-shopping and love to tell me when they got a good deal. :) They also really love their coupon-freebie-basket that I give out at Christmas. LOL I'm lucky that I have an awesome friend that I actually met b/c we were both just getting started with couponing - I took some coupons to her house for a swap before a triple-coupon event, then we met up at the store during the sale and we've been inseparable ever since. I was even at the birth of both of her children and she's going to be at the birth of my new baby-on-the-way. (Coupons bring people together. LOL)

Maybe you could put out an ISO for a HCW buddy that's in your area so you guys can do some deals together? It is just so much more fun when you have somebody to 'hunt' with and share the excitement.

Also, maybe you can offer to sell some of your extras to your friend who 'doesn't have time' for cheap. You could make a buck and she could save a buck. Win-win situation. LOL

ladycat00

11-06-2009, 04:24:34 PM

I share everyone's pain. My family all think I'm crazy. But of course they don't mind me helping them out when they hit a rough financial spot (and they all have WAY more money than me!!).

Denisew

11-06-2009, 04:28:47 PM

I stopped telling people also. I don't think they believe me. My kids are always asking, was this free? My husband really appreciates it though. He says that is my full time job, couponing (I do have a PT job outside the house). All I need is for him to understand!!!

BringontheWonder

11-06-2009, 04:54:47 PM

I got my MIL interested. She doesn't do deals on the level of most of us HCWers, and she seems a little wigged out by some of my stockpile items, but she gets it. Mostly. I posted a tutorial on our family blog about couponing, but no one seemed to care. It's disappointing to share my excitement over deals and get a negative response, so I've just stopped reaching out. I'm excited to give tons of my freebies as stocking stuffers this year to see how everyone reacts.

mommykitty

11-06-2009, 05:20:01 PM

I tell people they tell me congrats but its not for them. I tried to give my sister 2 coupons for $0.25 off bunny bread and she said nah thats okay. (insert here my slap against my own forehead) She doesn't mind my coupon saving when it benefits her and she gets her dove facial cleanser pads for free twice a year as gifts haha!

rfspen

11-06-2009, 07:47:56 PM

Laureen13

11-06-2009, 08:08:14 PM

I totally understand. My dad was really interested and I tried showing my parents but again "takes too much time..." My mom does not work and no kids at the house. She plays games on the computer all day. I told her when I'm sitting in the evening (I work full time and have 4 kids) with the tv on, I work on my coupons. Oh well.... I will keep my deals and money and spend it on something fun for the family!!

tbbucs03

11-06-2009, 08:35:23 PM

My brother keeps jokingly saying the "cops are going to come and get me" or "the countries in a recession and I am the problem".He sure loves the free stuff I always give him like razors,shave cream,deoderant etc...

My best friend's daughter is struggling with 4 kids and I have tried to show her and she is interested but won't put any effort in it. Before school started this year,I went each week and got school supplies so she wouldn't have to buy a thing.I also was taking bags of groceries over to her to help her out.Tired of hearing her complain and not helping herself out...I finally had to stop.The last straw was when I went over one night and here she is cooking snow crab for the whole family of 6 (like 10lbs) that costs 5.99lb. I just bit my tongue and told her mom my BFF that I was no longer going to waste my time.

Funny story though: Out of milk the other night,sent hubby to CVS,told him buy 2 gallons cause it was on sale, gave him 2 $1.00 q's and $2.00 ECB'S and $1.75 cash.
He looked at me as if I were nuts and said I need more money than this...I said no you don't in fact I should get $.17 in change. He went and got the milk and gave me my change. He says "well you got it down to a science don't you"? LOL

tawetal1817

11-06-2009, 09:39:02 PM

I read somewhere once that if you knew there was a $20 bill hidden in your Sunday paper, how hard would you look for it? This explains couponing to me perfectly.

Couponing is my job. I've had the same experience that everyone else has. It comes with the job.

People make time for what they think is important and this is important to me. Last year, I saved enough couponing to buy a 48" flat screen, buy two laptops (one for DS and another one to print more coupons my dear) with cash and triple our emergency saving fund.

If they ask, I have a three sentence statement and say "if you'd like some help getting started, let me know." They hardly ever do but wouldn't mind a bag of free stuff or two. Of the 15 people I have taught to coupon, three are doing it every now and then. It's just not that important to them.

All of this comes with the job. As DH says, "rub some dirt on it and get back in the game."

PS: To Shannon1189: Don't worry, it's all cumulative. When I first started, I didn't get many deals either but a couple of years down the road, it is a rare week when I don't get a couple of rebate checks in the mail, a few freebies and loads of the big deals. But I had to build up to this level. Keep at it and you will get there too.

tawetal1817

11-06-2009, 09:53:46 PM

Maybe you could put out an ISO for a HCW buddy that's in your area so you guys can do some deals together? It is just so much more fun when you have somebody to 'hunt' with and share the excitement.

I'm really glad Mrs. Floyd has had such a positive experience with the coupon buddy. I had a very different experience with the coupon buddy system.

I would go with the woman who taught me the ropes and she said, "Since I taught you how to do this, you should let me have first pick when we go into the stores" and would actually take things out of my buggy to fill out her deals. She also resented the extra time it would take for me to check out as I was a beginner and would stand and complain because she had things to do. This didn't last very long.

Another woman I met through HCW and lives two towns over has turned into my evil nemesis. She spends hours alienating the cashiers with her demands, grabbing all the stock for herself and will demand coupons when I see her out and about to finish off her deals and will get huffy and defensive if I don't surrender my coupons to her "because I have so many extra". She gets upset if I get to the store first and now shows up before the store opens on truck day to be first in line and will wait several hours in the store for the truck to arrive and be unloaded. I swear sometimes it's like she's marking her territory and I almost think she'd pee on the stuff if she could. In her mind, we are in a competition-survival of the fittest. No thanks.

My third coupon buddy was a real coupon buddy. She would drive because she had a station wagon and it would hold more stuff. I would research the deals and provide extra coupons in exchange for gas money. We would divide and conquer and then divvy up the loot before we got to the register. We would carry each other's purchases out to the car. Then when we had all our couponing loot, we would go out to dinner and sit and talk. It was wonderful. She had to quit because her husband had a brain tumor and her son got very ill so I take her couponing stuff instead. I miss my friend.

I know this is kind of long but I hope that you can find a true couponing buddy, not a parasite or a competitor.

shannon1189

11-06-2009, 09:56:32 PM

Thanks I sure hope so. I know alot of people in this group have been doing this for years and I just started. I really think I have really gone way out and above on getting the deals. But this month I only want the deals and not much out the pcket.

ubankit

11-06-2009, 10:05:32 PM

I love using coupons but I can not seem to get the mega deals. I feel so lost . I do not mind hearing about the great deals so post away anytime.

I was amazed when I started "serious" couponing (first part of this year) at the deals these folks would get and post. I thought "how the heck are they doing this?", it has taken me around 8 months to get good at this (and I'm still not on the level with some of the shoppers, but I'm gettin' better:biggrin:).
My OOP spending has improved, I've gotten a little more organized, and I don't have to work as hard getting ready. It does take time, patience, and effort, but it sure pays off. I do try and get between 8 to 10 coupon inserts each week because when a good deal comes along you're better prepared for it. I've also signed up with as many of the food makers (Nabisco, Betty Crocker, Unilever, etc) and the personal care websites (shampoo, deodorant, Olay, Clairol, etc), you never know when you'll get a good q or promotion.
I don't tend to brag too much about the deals I get, I've found most people aren't interested in investing the time and effort to learn. Their eyes do get big when they see the stockpile:BigHand:

elizabethhouts

11-06-2009, 10:10:15 PM

I think it would be awesome to have a great couponing friend! I email a really nice woman that works with my husband but I have never met her in person. We ahve babies that are the same age. I try to get people into it with me- butit's like most of you say about them kind of glazing over and getting bored. They love the stuff I give them but are "too busy" to do it. The amount of money you can save is crazy and yet it isn't worth it to people. More for me! My mom has kinda gotten into it. She isn't trying to stockpile like I am, though. I keep saying I need more shelves and she always says "Or you could just eat the food you have and stop buying so much." This week a local grocery store is having triples and I can get bags of veggies for $.09! Now why would I not buy them now only to buy them later at $1.29? Plus it's getting to be soup season!

meems

11-06-2009, 10:14:04 PM

I have several coupon buddies - 3 that I talk with almost daily, but honestly, it works because we live close enough for swaps, but far enough that we aren't in each others way. It can be a double edged sword..

Back to the OP, yes, I too felt the same, wanted to shout it from the rooftops early on..the glaze...or the ones who only do the deals if you cut the coupons, deliver them with the list of where to go to do the deals. After a bit, you just stop mentioning it..though somehow (thanks to DH or DD's) people tend do end up getting a tour of the stockpile..some get it, most don't, LOL! My hairdresser, she so needs to but just can't get her brain around it, I bring her 3 bags of stuff every time I go in for services.

That said..I made enough in garage sales this year that I am going to be able to pay cash for some cosmetic surgery that I've put off for 20 years...I earned it..though it's going to kill me to pull it out of the bank...that couponers mentality!

heatcol127

11-06-2009, 10:47:35 PM

:shrug7:I too know what you mean. The only people that seem to be impressed with what I can do with a grocery total are the strangers who are standing behind me in line. So I guess for those few seconds I at least have that.
The man I live with does nothing but yell, he so does not understand. He even stood in line with me and watched a total go from 120.00 down to 14.00 and some change. But in the end all he could say was that was not stuff we needed right now. But he can go to the store spend 50.00 on a few items and it is ok.
My 16 yr old daughter tells me all the time her friends want to come to our house if there is ever a natural disaster because they know they will still be able to eat good...lol.
I managed to get my sister interested...but then she just became too busy...lol...whatever.
I really don't talk about it much either because alot of people make fun of me and then in the same breathe are crying they don't have money for this and that. None of these people have 6 children either (which is another topic people get on me about but is a topic for another thread) so I do what I have to do.
What I do know is that I absolutley LOVE DOING THIS!!!!! I love to trade coupons probably more then I like to shop for the deals tho...lol... but don't get me wrong...I LOVE to shop too!!!! So I really don't care what people say...I know what my bottom line is. And that is good enough for me!!!!!
Although I would LOVE to find a buddy to...lol...anyone near me??????? I think it would be so cool to find someone too hang out with that is into this as much as I am!!!!!!

hedgehog

11-07-2009, 01:01:28 AM

There is saying in my country - fewer people, more oxygen.

I only know one country with this same saying - Russia :BigHand::smile:

I do agree with everyone on this forum. Even my closest friends and family don't get my affection for couponing. Even though they do like to receive free stuff all the time :wink7: Many say - it's a waste of time. Some say - rather than spending so much time on coupons, go and work - you'll make more money that way...

jake1951

11-07-2009, 02:47:16 AM

twoflowers

11-07-2009, 03:49:09 AM

I came from a country without coupon, when I came here I did not know lots about couponing, but later my younger daughter was born and I had to quit my job, for a while we depend on WIC. My husband is the only person to earn money. That was the darkest days in my life.
The first time I know the coupon was one sunday morning, when I was in a laundry, a young lady took some newspapers as she was doing her laundry, I saw some diapers coupon there, I needed the diapers coupon for the baby. so that was the first time I began to buy sunday newspaper and save.
At the begining, My husband thought I was crazy, because I bought a lot of stuffs we did not need right now. but gradually I managed to get more cheaper stuffs but they all good brands we can not afford before. last year I almost get diapers for free for my DD,and we have enough food and drink, he can get starbuck coffee and we eat good quanlity meat and eggs and we can eat out regularly, Kids are happy. I always have some gift card to use in different stores.......when I was looking back I still a little bit excited, sometimes I felt boring for some deals I just skip it, and ready for next. Of course my husband helps me to do small deals when he went shopping by himself. I found a job this year I am still couponing and saving for the family.
Couponing is changing my family's life especially the hotcouponworld, I want to thank you all.

gina2000

11-07-2009, 05:43:44 AM

I literally scratched my head the first time I saw CVS ECBs. I couldn't figure out how this could be a break-even deal or even a moneymaker! Well, I read and read and read and it worked! So now I'm an avid couponer.

My sister has hopped on board. She buys newspapers and lets me clip coupons from them. She pays all of my OOP expenses and I let her take whatever she wants. My mother does the same. My sister also is now couponing for food/supermarket items but I do help her along when I see a deal she should be doing. So I guess she's my coupon buddy. I make the time, she has the extra cash and we share the proceeds! It works well for us.

I love playing with coupons and figuring out deals. It's become a lot tougher recently in our local supermarkets because the coupons just aren't lucrative enough. Online coupons seem to be a bit more profitable. CVS has its good weeks and baaaaaaaad weeks. I just go with the flow. I figure that even if it disappears tomorrow, I've stockpiled for many a rainy day. At first DH thought I was insane but now he asks if I have a coupon whenever he needs to go out and buy something! And he's shocked if we run out of ANYTHING! (I hate to clean so that's where we occasionally run out of things.)

I guess the bottom line is that this has become a way of life for me. We never had so much available in our household at such great prices! I always bought cheap and in bulk. Now I buy expensive items cheap or free and our basement is overflowing!

Just one downside: I get incredibly antsy when there are no deals and am ready to chuck it all. Go figure.

BigDog

11-07-2009, 05:57:40 AM

I know this isn't kosher on THIS website. But, I do understand them not couponing. When I got really, really, really good a couponing. (I was only spending about $10 a week on EVERYTHING for 5 people.) I noticed. I was making my kids and husband sit in the car for long periods of time. For me to to run in 'just a second'.

I value my time more then I value a good deal now. I will get 2 "deals" a week now. Then actually just buy like a normal person. The only difference. I check my pantry for items. To tailor my grocery list with items in the cabinet, then items that are on sale. I spend about $100 now. But, for a family of 7. I don't find this all too bad. I I'm spending only about 2 hours (driving included) a week "couponing". Then I go to Kroger and "fill in". And my time on HCW is far less. But, we are homeschooling now. And my son loves watching animal videos to supplement science on the computer.

So, if it came down to it, and hubby lost his job. I guess I wouldn't have a choice. But, to be able to walk everynight with my kids around the neighborhood while they are still young. Priceless. (Or the best coupon, I never spent.)

ETA: When I try and they don't care. I see it this way. Good, less to compete with tomorrow. And when you need to 'brag'. Bring it on we will listen with all ears.

ladycat00

11-07-2009, 06:33:37 AM

Our local churches are putting together bags of groceries for a Thanksgiving meal for 200 families. The lists were very specific and the prices of the items were listed and were about $18. As the presentation was being made I was mentally adding up the items and I could have purchased the same items for $3-$4. This is why people have not because they coupon not. No way to buy anything without a coupon. I have preached couponing for over a year and no one wants to hear it. :sad:That reminds me of something. In August I got a list of school supplies from a local church for a needy family. The list had been hand written by the mother of the needy family (who's identity was not revealed to me but I think I know who it was).

She had written prices next to each item for what that item would cost. It was obviously REGULAR prices and they were outrageously high. You know, like $3 or some such for a box of Crayola crayons (which I paid 25 cents for!) It occured to me that if this lady knew how to shop the sales she might not need the help.

Of course all the prices I paid for the items were a small fraction of what the prices were on the list.

ladycat00

11-07-2009, 07:11:16 AM

I share everyone's pain. My family all think I'm crazy. But of course they don't mind me helping them out when they hit a rough financial spot (and they all have WAY more money than me!!).Isn't that the truth-I save the pennies and they want my dollar:shrug7:I hope I didnt leave the impression that I help them with money. I don't. I help them with big bags of groceries, and things like shampoo, laundry soap, etc etc.

dduck

11-07-2009, 07:16:02 AM

My family thinks I'm nuts. My sister did couponing for a little while with me, but when her husband stopped working she stopped couponing when she needed to do it the most. She has asked me to help her get back into couponing and I told her I would help her out. I don't think it will last long but she is family.

My husband appreciates the money I save so he can do repairs to the house, but he thinks I spend to much time preparing to go to the stores. I have explained to him couponing is a hobby for me and the time I spend on it is the same amount of time you spend on your hobby.

disabledvetswife

11-07-2009, 10:28:43 AM

I don't get why some people don't coupon either. I've even emailed or called them with ALL the details (including where the coupons are) - and they still don't go buy the stuff.

My dad is on food stamps and his gf is on disability. They have little income. I've mapped out deals (like the current Glade deal at Target) and explain they can get 5 Glade items for $1 + tax oop and get a $5 gc back that they could use to buy stuff their food stamps don't cover - but they don't bother.

My mom only gets a little Social Security money each month, so I've tried showing her...but she's stuck on buying generic - swearing it's cheaper. I've even showed her a deal where the brand would be free (or overage), but she still doesn't bother.

The main excuses I hear are: I don't have time to coupon, I clip the coupon then forget to take it with me, or I want to buy what I want to buy and not have to wait for a sale to get it.

The only person who "got it" and coupons is my SIL - Hi Kathy!!!

ladycat00

11-07-2009, 10:49:56 AM

My mom only gets a little Social Security money each month, so I've tried showing her...but she's stuck on buying generic - swearing it's cheaper. I've even showed her a deal where the brand would be free (or overage), but she still doesn't bother.That's one of the most common excuses I hear- it's cheaper just to buy the store brand. But we couponers know that's not true!!!!!! I would go broke buying store brands! I get name brands 50% to 90% cheaper than store brands!

ekoury

11-07-2009, 12:17:39 PM

I only know one country with this same saying - Russia :BigHand::smile:

I do agree with everyone on this forum. Even my closest friends and family don't get my affection for couponing. Even though they do like to receive free stuff all the time :wink7: Many say - it's a waste of time. Some say - rather than spending so much time on coupons, go and work - you'll make more money that way...

Well, hello there!!! And yes, I am Russian. Never knew growing up in the USSR that I would be couponing in the USA :hysterical:

tbbucs03

11-07-2009, 12:43:54 PM

My BFF moved 9 hours away and I do miss her so much.When we do get a chance to visit,one complete day is set aside for shopping.We start by getting Dunken Donuts large coffees and head off with our lists and coupons. We hit all the stores and even a couple thrift shops for fun.We stop and reward ourselves with lunch and then back to more shopping usually until the sun goes down or the car can't hold anymore whichever comes first. I sure do miss her since she moved and would love to have a
coffee drinking,coupon cutting,deal seeking,thrift store loving,fun shopping buddy close by again. I live on the west coast of Florida.

bubbahead

11-07-2009, 01:39:15 PM

Soon after finding this site and learning the ropes I began to bore any one with ears about my latest "deal". Yep, glazed over eyes.

My husband and grown son think it's great and brag about me to their friends.

My best friend has been cut to part time and can barely make ends meet. I have repeatedly suggested she log onto this site and READ. She doesn't have time......can't afford a Sunday paper.....doesn't need any laundry detergent right now......blah, blah, blah.

Whatever. Personally, I will drag my tired behind out of the car 10 times on the way home from work if it means getting a dozen eggs for less than .25 at each stop.

christine2008

11-07-2009, 03:20:58 PM

What a great thread! I am over the euphoria of sharing my deals with people IRL. I have a few coupon buddies who get it and a few who pretend they are doing the deals, but really want me to read the forums and tell them exactly how to get deals, and I mean every deal. I only explain things to people who really want me to tell them because I decided that my time is worth more than that. Also, I look a little less crazy! It took a little time to figure out what worked for me, but now that I have a stockpile (I really think it is an amazing stockpile!;) I can pick and choose my deals. Sometimes I pass a deal up because I just don't have time to do it, but I'll keep doing it as long as it is fun. My DH and I have been able to pay off all of our credit cards, drive really nice cars, I can buy fabulous shoes, our house will be completely paid off within 5 years and we are able to made regular donations to food banks. Think couponing is funny? I don't mind if someone laughs at me 'cause I'm getting the last laugh! Stick with it and share with people on forums. I do hope that you eventually find a coupon buddy because it does help to be able to talk about couponing! BTW, my husband gets it and loves that I coupon!

hellokittygirl

11-07-2009, 03:28:46 PM

I get people asking me to explain the coupon thing to them all the time. I try, but usually it's not something they will ever actually pick up on. They think it's great, and they envy my smart shopping, but they always fall back on excuses like "I don't have the time" or they just think couponing is uncool. Whatever floats your boat, I say. :shrug7: I've worked hard to get my deals, and with the help of this site, I've learned so much, but it did take a fair bit of dedication and motivation. Without the desire to coupon, don't expect the rewards.

It's alright, though. HCW is a great community where we can chat about deals and there is no eye rolling here! I love y'all. We're all addicted!

cheapcheap

11-07-2009, 05:46:09 PM

I am realizing that there's a special breed of cheap that's attracted to couponing. Seriously, how many people spend hours looking for the next great deal for something they may not even "need"?! Present company included!

I'm done trying to convince people to coupon. When they give excuses, it's a polite way of saying "I'm not that cheap." There seems to be a stigma with clipping coupons. You know... when certain cashiers give you that "look" when you hand them over, like you're dirt. Whatever. As others have said, it's a hobby, not a necessity. Keep it fun and to ourselves!! :)

Suzi Q pon

11-07-2009, 06:39:40 PM

I agree.
I only teach friends that are really interested.
I have about 3 friends that love to "coupon" like I do.
I also like to log on to the "Women In Red" message board.
Check out "The Grocery Challenge Thread.

They are my new "coupon friends."

ladycat00

11-07-2009, 06:55:24 PM

I also like to log on to the "Women In Red" message board.
Check out "The Grocery Challenge Thread.Oh my gosh, I remember following that thread for a few days when it was new, but haven't been back since. Now it is 6255 pages long with over 75,000 posts.
:omg: :shock2:

livingalmostlarge

11-08-2009, 12:06:22 PM

I'm one of suzi Q couponers from WIR. I'm not a hard core couponer. And I get A LOT of people telling me NOT to stockpile diapers, wipes, baby stuff (due in Feb).

Um no. I decided screw them. If they can't see the benefit of not having a tired husband drive out to get baby stuff in the middle of the night or after a long day of work, right after we have a baby, stuff it.

It will be winter, the roads will be dark, bad, icy. My DH can't drive at night due to a hereditary disease and I'm expecting him to be able to take of me, baby, and sick dog?

I'm making life as easy as possible for him with coupons AHEAD of time. Yes'll we'll need fresh food, but can do that on the weekend daytime. This way he doesn't have to look for toilet paper, pads, body wash, shampoo, cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes, dog food, etc.

Yeah my baby might not fit all diapers, but at least he (my DH) can try multiple brands instead of going to a store, sleep deprived and trying to recall what to buy???

And our dog is in chemo, so why shouldn't I make life as easy as possible for him? My mom and actually some coworkers, were impressed at my preplanning. They said it's a good strategy because it is dangerous to send a tired man out driving, shopping, etc.

And my mom is coming to help, but she doesn't drive recently due to eye surgery and my MIL can't drive (same problem as DH) at night. So what else is there to do but stockpile stuff for a baby?

Yes it's nuts but so is waiting and spending a fortune and being dangerous to boot.

Kulis

11-08-2009, 12:22:23 PM

It's so hard when you know something that will benefit people and they refuse to listen. It's even worse when they tell you they want help but they really just want you to do it all for them.
I'm fortunate to have two relatives who are now couponers (thanks to me). We don't live close to each other, but it's fun to compare notes and deals when we do get together. We have access to the same stores, so we alert each other when we come across some deal that would benefit the other's families.

momsak

11-08-2009, 02:12:22 PM

i have been couponing in some form for 28 years of my marriage. I worked full time in the beginning and money was tight, so did it to save some money to take a long weekend vacation.

Then we had children and I was a stay-at-home mom and still couponing. Made me feel like I was contributing to our financial situation. As you can imagine, money was still tight and things ran simpler when there was at least some money in savings for when the car broke down, etc.

Then hubby was fortunate and got several raises. Money wasn't so tight, kids were in pre-school and Disney was important. Started saving coupon money and made it to Disneyworld for a week without even touching our savings.

I think around this time I calculated that I had saved our family about $6000. This was in the 1980's and that 6000 is worth double or more now.

Now my youngest has moved out and bought his own place. Guess who's stockpile keeps both his and my daughter's pantry full when most of their friends still pay rent or live at home?

NEVER understimate the value of a dollar saved!!! Whether you use it for emergencies, fun stuff like vacations, or to make ends meet.

Yes, now couponing is not only a hobby but a HABIT.

I have only 2 coupon buddies in all these years and not sure if the one really gets it all, but is greatful for what she does understand.

Hubby still looks at me funny but then after almost 30 years it no longer bothers me at all.

I've seen too many glazed looks on ignorant people's faces(whether by choice or circumstance) that I never discuss qs with someone I don't know well enough to know they at least would be interested.

Do you really think the richest of the rich walk around and tell people how to become rich? They always have an antidote or two to tell, smile, and go on with their lives. I like to think that is how I handle my HABIT.
:my2cents:

milkdonormama

11-09-2009, 06:56:25 AM

strawberryfield

11-09-2009, 11:44:57 AM

I think a lot of people get overwhelmed with couponing when you talk about it from the point of view of someone really involved. I remember just starting up with cvs and walgreens took a couple of weeks to get the hang of it. And I am in no way a pro.

I have found that if I approach it from a simple perspective most people will go for it. Then if they have the time and energy they will ask questions and look into it more. For example I told three friends about the glade thing at Target and links to the SCJohnson rebate forms. One friend forgot about it as I was telling her. One friend loves the idea but has so much going on in her life that to drive an hour to Target for free candles is too much. CVS is a 35 minutes drive for her and Walgreens an hour. Though she did ask me to email anything good and was excited when I sent her some toysrus coupon links. My third friend went right out and got her candles. Then she asked me how I found out about it and I gave her a link to a simple blog where they spell out the good stuff with links etc. I do not know if she will get more involved or not.

jglenn

11-09-2009, 03:53:46 PM

I agree with all of you, I have friends who want me to show them how it's all done...then I lose them. I'm learning to just stay quiet and only let a select few know about the weekly deals. My husband gets a kick out of my "secret life" none of my old friends have a clue that I'm a coupon crazed mom:)

#1RobThomasfan

11-09-2009, 04:16:11 PM

I have one lady at work , she's not as hardcore as I am but she does ask about new deals, she gets it. I tend to look for deals that I can use later...like when the coupons came out for the free glade soy candles...I bought 40 of them and got my free candles, I'm going to pair them up and put something like" May your holiday season shine" on the little tags I'm hanging on them and those are gifts for other teachers at school. Cost me about 17 bucks for q's and tax on candles. That way I can afford to be nice without breaking my bank. I say hey if folks don't want to shop around heck let'em be crazy... I cringed one day watching this guy pay 150.xx for 2 jeans and 3 shirts at Kohl's....ugh.......NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I wanted to cry for him.

ekoury

11-09-2009, 04:47:43 PM

To tell the truth, my DH is my biggest supporter. His first question when we need something, "Now, honey, how can we get it free?" :hysterical: Can't you tell the man hates to spend more than absolutely necessarily? He is not above sitting down and figuring deals for Wags (he is even better at Wags deals than I am, but CVS, Kroger, Albies and other stores are my kick.) It really helps when your LO supports your hobby and way of life. As for other people, if they want to learn, I am here. If not, I let it be...

ladycat00

11-09-2009, 08:09:10 PM

II cringed one day watching this guy pay 150.xx for 2 jeans and 3 shirts at Kohl's.... ugh....... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I wanted to cry for him.WOWSERS! I could buy a whole wardrobe with that much!!

MaMaHaHa

11-11-2009, 06:02:39 PM

I have soooo enjoyed reading this thread...had to laugh! I love couponing and love being able to get the "good" stuff for free or almost free. Who knew that Pantene would actually be cheaper than the store brands that some of us grew up on...never again will I have to skip over Campbell's soup or Johnson's Baby Lotion for the store brand...and at my house, we will always have good toilet paper and plenty of it! :)

I agree that this is more than a hobby...really, it's a part-time job. I use a lot of my down time to clip and organize...and never am without my coupon box...just in case!

I am lucky, I have two coupon buddies, and am slowly training my foster daugter and grandson to help. (Am still working on the new daughter-in-law though.) I have found that when checking out, it helps to watch the register closely while other one unloads the carts. I too cringe when I see folks actually buying stuff that they could get cheaper...sometimes I just can't help myself and have to stop and chat and share a coupon or two. I have also found that my non-couponer friends believe that this is too time-consuming...oh well...

As far a scoring a super-duper-great deal...stay prepared, there is always another one right around the corner.

kdawn73

11-11-2009, 06:16:39 PM

Thanks for starting this thread.

People I tell are somewhat envious, but don't want to do the "work" to make it happen.

DH says I won't have to get a job when the kids are all in school full time b/c we save so much couponing.:BigHand: Sometimes I even take pics of my haul and send him a pix message on his phone. He brags and shows his coworkers!

newatthis

11-11-2009, 06:44:00 PM

My sis says that her husband wouldn't like the mess that couponing makes. I have them all over the table, my couch, etc... b/c i am usually working on a new trade every day, plus rebates, plus laying out my shopping trips, etc... I told her that she doesn't have to have all the coupons out- I am just scatterbrained and it works better for me. U,mmm let's see-- saving money or messing up my kitchen table- I am cheap enough that i don't care about a scattered table.

EshuBarakeno

11-12-2009, 01:59:48 PM

Couponing is like religion. For those of us whose lives have been changed by it, it's amazing, but for those who haven't experienced it, it just seems foreign to them. You can introduce it to them, but you can't force it on them. They have to be open to it themselves, and some people never will be.

caitlyn12284

11-12-2009, 02:04:49 PM

My sister and fam are the same way, just dont seem to care no matter how much I saved. I always found it strange too cause from day 1 I was pumped!! Well, my sister came over and I packed up two bags of ice cream and she went 'shopping' in my cupboards for the first time and was amazed...guess she had to see exactly how it paid off...

honey2emmylace

11-12-2009, 06:45:56 PM

Y'all, I'm new... a few friends at work are super savers and I'm just learning... but here's my fear.... if I'm getting into it now, it won't be long until everyone's doing it and they quit putting the deals out there. whadda ya think? I love the idea of people turning their noses up to it, but everyone I know is learning how and even carpooling outta town to the Publix...LOL

Kulis

11-12-2009, 06:46:01 PM

kidsrn

11-12-2009, 09:59:09 PM

I am a hardcore couponer. I admit it. I also have a part time job as a nurse at a large and well known hospital (I work 15 hours/week) and I homeschool my one daughter. I don;t say this to make me look great---but to say that if I can do this level of couponing with all that I am doing, ANYONE can do it. However, I hear from people all the time:

1. I don;t have the time.
2. I am not organized enough.
3. It looks like too much work.

To them I say:

1. I consider my couponing to be a second part time job.
2. It does take time---I gave up watching pointless tv at night and use that time to clip, organize and plan.
3. Go ahead and pay full price for your items---I will cringe as I stand in line behind you but I will also thank you for doing that as it allows me to do the deals and the manufacturers to put out those coupons/deals.

People are amazed at what I pay (or in most cases, DON'T pay) for the items in our home. And the money we save helps me to sleep soundly at night. :biggrin:

jcpal

11-13-2009, 10:49:46 AM

It is good to know there are people like me out there (couponing wise) I would like to know if there is a club or a few people around me in the Sugar Land TX area that would like to be buddies? I havent even checked if there is a section in HCW for that but I will.

TerryTerrific

11-13-2009, 11:21:29 AM

Shoppers that pay full price are making things like double couponing and ECB offers possible.

They are footing the bill for a retail establishments' promotional offers and for that, I thank them with every single cotton pickin' deal that I go after!

:wink7:

+

The mega money that I am saving at the stores make other life's necessities much more affordable.

+

Terence in Brook Park, oHIo

cblanchard76

11-13-2009, 11:56:34 AM

LOL, yes everyone pretty muchs thinks I'm crazy. My husband has been unemplyed for over a year, he has been getting an unemployment check which is half as much as he made. He is not frugal at all. I started couponing about 2 years ago and took it to a new extreme last year. I threw in some mystery shopping at grocery stores and pretty much have my budget stay under the the $126 the 9 shops I do monthly. Payment is $7 reimbursement, and $7 payment. I have been able to pay down a lot of debt we had without adding to it. I feel really proud of myself because in the recent months I had to buy a brand new fridge and hubby need $1700 worth of dental work. I was able to put both those charges on my Discover card and pay them off at the end of those months. So I tell my friends what I do, I started my own little blog, some of them follow some don't but I love it and that's all that matters. I really don't know why I didn't learn this earlier in life. I get all OCD about it...

:wavehi::wavehi:

jrouse1214

11-13-2009, 02:02:04 PM

I am having the opposite problem. Everyone is asking me how it works and as someone who just started I don't always know the right answers, but I try to help.

rcbrad

11-16-2009, 01:49:10 PM

It does take time, practice and patience to learn how to use coupons to your advantage. It does take time to work the deals each week. As you get better at it, it gets easier and easier. I guess folks do not want to give it enough effort to get started. It just really comes down to an interest level. If they really wanted to do it, people will learn and do it. I think many people really have no idea how much they can save. It's not just a few dollars here and there. It can be hundreds/thousands in time. Some people have said that the feel too nervous and self conscious using coupons at the store. Also, I never understood when people say, "what would I do with 10 boxes of cereal even if it is only 50 cents per box" Uhm, how about eating it!

atabbu

11-16-2009, 02:25:51 PM

I used to get mad about glazed over eyes-- not anymore. I stopped even telling people I coupon since I got my sister and my aunt started.. that's all the competition I need! My sis is a wizard at this.
Besides, isn't it more fun to log in here and know you'll get all the support you need?
Hotcouponworld is the Best group therapy I've ever had. Thanks for sharing!

limoil

11-17-2009, 06:49:56 AM

I'm really glad Mrs. Floyd has had such a positive experience with the coupon buddy. I had a very different experience with the coupon buddy system.
I would go with the woman who taught me the ropes and she said, "Since I taught you how to do this, you should let me have first pick when we go into the stores" and would actually take things out of my buggy to fill out her deals. She also resented the extra time it would take for me to check out as I was a beginner and would stand and complain because she had things to do. This didn't last very long.

Another woman I met through HCW and lives two towns over has turned into my evil nemesis. She spends hours alienating the cashiers with her demands, grabbing all the stock for herself and will demand coupons when I see her out and about to finish off her deals and will get huffy and defensive if I don't surrender my coupons to her "because I have so many extra". She gets upset if I get to the store first and now shows up before the store opens on truck day to be first in line and will wait several hours in the store for the truck to arrive and be unloaded. I swear sometimes it's like she's marking her territory and I almost think she'd pee on the stuff if she could. In her mind, we are in a competition-survival of the fittest. No thanks.

My third coupon buddy was a real coupon buddy. She would drive because she had a station wagon and it would hold more stuff. I would research the deals and provide extra coupons in exchange for gas money. We would divide and conquer and then divvy up the loot before we got to the register. We would carry each other's purchases out to the car. Then when we had all our couponing loot, we would go out to dinner and sit and talk. It was wonderful. She had to quit because her husband had a brain tumor and her son got very ill so I take her couponing stuff instead. I miss my friend.

I know this is kind of long but I hope that you can find a true couponing buddy, not a parasite or a competitor.

You had the best possible experience...you just had to kiss a couple of frogs before you got there....but a true buddy is worth it.

kaylap

11-21-2009, 11:21:28 AM

omg i totally feel the same way, everyone thought I was nuts at first and some still do! lol...I quit trying to tell everyone about it until recently when one of the girls I worked with asked me to teach her how to do it so I brought the stuff I got that day to show her and the other girls were like "wow I wish I had all that extra money you have to buy stuff you arent gonna use" (it was glade etc.) I was like I spent 5 bucks and got 9ecb back and I would have spent the 5 anyways cause I had to buy baby wipes....but they didnt get it! its ok tho cause i have offered to teach them all many times and they choose to keep living their way with no extra $. thanks for the vent

thompson589741

11-21-2009, 11:51:18 AM

I have been through similar experiences. I have people that smile and nod while I talk about the deals I have gotten, and then they quickly change the subject. or the responses I get are, "will you really use that?" or "why would you get 10 boxes of waffles? my family would never eat that many" but my response, most of the time is, "why not? it was free, and I will use it before it goes bad." or "why not get it for free or super cheap now, rather than pay way too much for it later when I will need more?" I get most of this from people that haven't run into money problems, and don't see saving money as a neccessity. I get the goods while the gettin' is cheap/free!!

my favorite part though, when I talk about couponing and such, is when I get onto the subject of my stockpile. then you really get funny looks

I figure if my couponing and saving money makes someone mad then so be it. that's just one less person I have to compete with to get papers and all the FAC items at my stores lol.

vickib50

11-21-2009, 01:29:40 PM

Up until this past year, I have had an open-door policy for a couple of cousins and their kids. I finally had to shut the grocery store after 20+ years of them carting off all my stuff. When I was working, I didn't mind sharing. They were going through hard times and I was glad to help. Now, I'm disabled and live on $837 a month. They are p.o.'d because I don't give it all away anymore.

A couple of years ago, my favorite double coupon store was having super triples, up to .99. I called my cousins and told them about it. One cousin said, "Oh, I've got to get to Bi-Lo! This is great!" I asked her what coupons she had and she said she didn't have any. Why is she jumping up and down for triples when she doesn't clip any coupons at all? This is what I'm up against.

I've quit trying to teach them anything. They don't care enough about it to clip the Sunday coupons. My step-mother does sometimes ask me for coupons and I am glad to help her out. My parents also take a lot of stuff that I offer. In return, I have to say, my dad takes care of my "yard from He**" all summer long. I can't mow the darn place and he does it for me. And he has pancreatic cancer! What a guy! I'd give him all my stockpile if he asked for it.

I can do the deals and keep it to myself, no problem. My CVS people know I'm out for the deals. Our store just recently got a scanner and the asst. mgrs. were quick to point it out to me. I think they get a kick out of seeing how much I save. One day, I actually spent about $6 and the manager said, "This is the most money I've ever gotten out of you!" Yeah, that makes me feel good so I don't feel bad about the family members who just won't do it.

For those of you who are religious, I have a comparison to make. To those of you who are non-believers, bear with me. The Word said that a prophet is not welcome in his own country, or something to that effect. We are like prophets in a funny sort of way. We would be happy to make converts of our family and friends who spend too much at the grocery store. We can offer and they can refuse. It's just the way it is.

LisaKathryn

11-21-2009, 07:40:56 PM

Since the economy has been so awful in Florida we don't have any extra money but I have still been able to give to the charities that I always give to - mainly because my fav charity is a women's shelter and the things I donate I get for free at CVS or Walgreens. Every Christmas I make a care package for each woman in the shelter - I call and find out how many women are there and then my daughters help me make the packages - I use the two gallon sized ziplocs, line them with tissue and add shampoo, razors, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes and all sorts of nice items topped off with mints and candy. My daughters helped me estimate the retail price of each bag and it was close to $50 for each bag and I gave 25 bags and yet I spent almost nothing except time.
I think what sets us in this group apart is that we look at it like a hobby. It's fun. You should see my hubby's face when I can barely stagger in the door from all the pacakges and he says 'what did you spend?' and I can say 99 cents and I have the stuff for a $5 refund so I made $4. Today I got two large bottles of juice, 2- 2 ltr cokes, 4 cans of soup, a candy bar, 4 Glade candles and a whole bunch of other items - I spent $3 out of pocket, I got back $4 more in Extra bucks than I spent and I can do the Glade $5 rebate.
I am thrilled when my 18 year old son wants to see my receipts. He is also very understanding when he wants chips or Tostitos and I say 'they aren't on sale this week but they will be next week.'
What irritates me is my friends want to shop from my stored items and I don't mind helping them out. All I ask is that they save their grocery receipts for me to use for rebates and their Sunday coupons - they all just throw the coupons away. They didn't do either of those things and yet one of them called and asked me for shampoo. I told her I didn't have any - it was true we had just finished the bags for the women's shelter and I was all out - but still I was very irritated that she couldn't even save her receipts or coupons - it wasn't like I asked her to cut them out for me!
My sister lives in Alabama where they have lots of beer refunds with no beer purchase required - I send every refund I can to her and she has found 7 friends to let us use their addresses for refunds and they save receipts too. My neice is 13 and needing a kidney transplant - over the last 1 1/2 years I have sent my sister almost $2,000. I am sooo glad I can help even though we don't have any extra money to send and we are so far away.
I know this is long but I feel like we all inspire each other - I'd love to find a couponing friend in my area - just north of Orlando.
Lisa

oceanbreeze

11-21-2009, 08:43:13 PM

I stopped telling ppl b/c they didn't get it or were too lazy to chase deals.

I could hit the lotto tomorrow and i would still use coupons- why part w/ my money if i can save it?

valley411

11-21-2009, 09:11:44 PM

I'm getting to the point where I don't wanna tell anyone about couponing anymore which really saddens me :sad: because ever since I started couponing I've wanted everyone I know to get in on the deals too! I wanted to show everyone this "secret" showing them my reciepts as proof and pics of my stockpile but they just don't seem interested in doing it for themselves. My sister who needs all the help in the world - single mother w/4 kids says she doesn't have time - whatever! I give her & her kids stuff all the time and when she saw me giving a friend a care package from my stockpile she had the nerve to say "I want some too!" :rolleyes24: People just never cease to amaze me.
The only people I've told that seem slightly interested is my MIL & SIL they were so impressed to see my stockpile and want me to send them coupons but I think they just let them expire :shrug7: which is such a waste to me. I want to tell them - "Do you know what I could've done with that?!?"
My savings go to family vacations that I would not be able to do otherwise. I will still try to help others when I can and when it's wanted/appreciated but I can't worry about no one else's household and how they spend their money except for mine.

bric2

11-21-2009, 11:24:07 PM

I understand, too. I used to email all my friends about the great deals I found from the internet and links to print coupons and such. four of them started couponing but not like me, tho. they just use coupons for things they need at the moment. i'm still learning but i have started stockpiling stuff and started a donation box. i do try to share whatever i get with friends and family. many times tho, answer I get is "no thanks. we don't need/use that." kinda make me feel bad that they don't want the stuff even when it's free! so stopped sharing with them. i rather give to someone who will appreciate my stuff.

sweety1786

11-22-2009, 09:50:50 AM

My family isn't really interested in couponing (except for my sister who is a freshman in college and desperate for free things :giggle2:) but I managed to get a lot of my friends interested in it. I have a close friend that coupons just as much as I do now, which is fun. It's nice to have someone to talk to about finding an amazing tearpad at Publix or free deoderant at CVS- my mother just tells me I'm crazy!

I was actually asked by my fiscal management teacher last year to give a short lecture on couponing- she heard from a fellow student that I saved money from it. So I got up in front of the class (123 people!) and started to explain it. I got the same reaction as other people have described- empty looks, glazed over eyes, etc. Then a friend in the class told me to put one of my receipts up on the screen. A simple spent $.85, saved $119 got their attention real quick. All the sudden I had people raising their hands, calling out questions, etc. Over the next few weeks I was answering so many questions that my friend and I decided to start a blog and answer them all at once in one place- most of our readers are from that college, right out of college demographic, so it is fun to help them use what little money they have responsibly!

Some of them still think I'm crazy (my family:rolleyes24:), but I'm finishing up school and my husband just started med school. Couponing is the only way for us to get by with such a limited income (ie, negative income due to loans!), and we manage to not only get by but can afford to take a small trip every year and do the things we want to do. Everyone always tells me that once I have a "real" job I'll stop couponing, but I am so thankful that I have had this opportunity to learn how to live wisely and responsibly with the little money we have- I really do think I will continue to coupon. It just doesn't make sense to me to pay full price anymore! Plus it is something I really enjoy- I feel like it's a game that I'm really good at :giggle2: I always win!

sweety1786

11-22-2009, 09:54:39 AM

geishagirl97

11-22-2009, 10:40:55 AM

I don't get it. I am all pumped about my CVS and other grocery store hauls. But, when I tell my friends and try to welcome them on board they all look at me weird.

My family and friends are too lazy to do it. I even give them a list of the deals and tell them just to buy a newspaper and I will show them the deals and still they do nothing. Then they complain about money. It's so ridiculous to me. My one friend went to CVS with me. I helped her save money, but then she bought all this ridiculous stuff and her total was over $100. I about died. I am upset with myself if I spend over $20.

I just think that most people are not disciplined enough to buy when things are on sale in anticipation of running out vs. buying when you need things. They cannot grasp the concept. The excuse I always get is that I really don't save money because I buy things I don't need just because they are cheap. This is not true. I buy things that we use or need on a regular basis, but I buy when they are on sale, even if I don't happen to need them right that minute. And things like toothpaste and shampoo, I do not buy them, I only get them if they are free or with an overage.

So, what I started doing last year, and they love this by the way, is making Christmas gift bags with things they need. I call them my home bags. I load them up with detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, mouthwash, dental floss, dish soap, cleaning products, cough drops, tissues, toilette paper, even some groceries that are not refridgerated. This way I can share my savings and not break the bank at Christmas. I seriously spend less than $20 on these bags and they are so thrilled to get them. My brother just told me that he is starting to run out of stuff from last year and couldn't wait to get the gift bag this year. This way I can give a "family" gift for practically $0, which they think I spent a ton on, and still get them each an individual gift.

I have given up on trying to help others, it is something they have to want to do. Sort of like smoking. If they decide they need to save the money or want to, they know who to come to. If not, I cannot force them to see the awesomeness of getting stuff cheap or free! More deals for me, it means that the stores won't be empty when I go!

talonts

11-22-2009, 05:19:26 PM

Does anyone else feel others look down on them for getting free or discounted groceries without using food stamps but doing about an hours worth of work and research? It is not that we dont make plently of money. Heck! I have a full time job making $60k. My metality is that I can get more for cheaper so I can have more for big kid toys or even the dreaded emergency without having to use a credit card. What are the opinions of others who do this hobby.

I paid off my Prius in 15 months (loan for 1/2 of it) largely because couponing left enough extra money each month to pay an extra payment or 2 every single month.

We try to get friends to coupon, so few do, but I look at it this way - less local competition ;-)

msuzyc79

11-23-2009, 11:04:07 AM

My best friend got me in to hard core couponing at a time when I really needed it (DH lost his job and was always the bigger check in my house). I always tell my mom and other friends about how much money I save and they are always happy but do not participate. My mom is always struggling financially but won't do something simple as cutting out coupons from the paper for stuff she buys anyway. Even if she didn't do it hardcore, it would still help.....Dunno why she won't be bothered. I send her boxes all of the time with free stuff which she keeps or passes along to the rest of the family.
My DH has been out of a job for over a year, my bills are paid down (1 credit card to go) and I have more money in savings than I ever did when we had 2 good paychecks coming in. Not only has couponing helped with the bills but it has also changed my whole outlook on how money is spent....which I never worried about before. All I can say is that I thank god my best friend showed me the light.

Linzrenee

11-23-2009, 11:19:30 AM

I had just started couponing when I found HCW. I had been thinking about it and had gotten a few inserts here and there but then stumbled upon this site. It opened up my eyes to the money that I can be saving. My bf and I live together (it's just us and the dog) but he has a hefty child support payment every month that cuts his paycheck nearly in half (yes I know-it's a lot of money).
Ever since I started hard core couponing, I come home from the grocery store and CVS w/ bags and bags full of stuff. My bf will ask what the damage was and I tell him $10 or $20 and he is like a deer in the headlights. He is amazed. Before, we would go to the store and spend $100, which is rediculous for two people and now our refrigerator and pantry are overflowing without even denting the bank accounts.
I tell the people at work and my friends and family and say smile and say how great it is but don't do it themselves. I don't understand. Yes it takes time but time is money and that money could be going towards bills or vacations or toys. I don't know...I guess that's just my point-of-view on it.

jharden724

11-26-2009, 10:59:49 PM

seedlady

11-27-2009, 08:15:00 AM

Ok- so I just happened to stumble on this site and started reading about couponing. I have only met one person (another mom at my daughter's school) who does super couponing, but I am totally interested! How do I learn about how to do this?

Jennifer

well, i suggest you make a cup of coffee and wander through:

http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/cvs-need-hand-were-here-help/195681-cvs-seedladys-wagon-train-guide-newbies.html

it's maybe not super couponing, but i've gotten maybe 6000 dollars worth of stuff for a couple of hundred dollars.:shrug7:

BLeach

11-27-2009, 12:48:54 PM

I have been couponing for about a year and a half. At first, I was super excited and shared all the deals and great finds with my family and friends. They looked at me like I am crazy. I have since stopped talking to anyone but dear hubby about shopping and couponing.
My mom loves to take advantage of my great finds, she regularly asks for stuff and cites the fact that I got it cheap or free as the reason I should just give it to her. What she does not understand is that we pay for the newspaper, I cut out the coupons, organize my deals and pay for gas money to the store. Even though my OOP may be 59-cents on a gift card does not mean it cost us nothing.
Not to get too far off topic, but…
My side of the family has always given extravagant, huge and expensive gifts, no matter the cost or ability to afford them.
Now that we are frugalites, my husband and I go the sentimental or practical route with gifts. But, do you guys ever get that feeling from family that what you can afford to give is not good enough or appreciated? How do you handle these situations?

biggins

11-27-2009, 01:07:00 PM

Now that we are frugalites, my husband and I go the sentimental or practical route with gifts. But, do you guys ever get that feeling from family that what you can afford to give is not good enough or appreciated? How do you handle these situations?

If they don't appreciate what you give or it's "not good enough" stop giving. What a bunch of ingrates.

My son was pulling the same mess your mom is. I nipped that in the bud by asking him to go shopping with me. He wouldn't so I stopped giving him stuff. Seriously, if they can't clip coupons or help with the shopping why should they reap the benefits?

I have friends I barter with so that evens out.

shakashoe

11-29-2009, 01:13:59 PM

I have a dear friend who is a fellow couponer and it's alot of fun to have someone to talk "coupon" with. Other than her, I don't talk about the deals I get with anyone. My husband makes a good salary and I have always been a SAHM. I take my job as household manager very seriously and I make my husband's paycheck go as far as I can. I think if poor women knew how to get the deals we get they would no longer be poor. A bit simplistic, I know, but I believe it. I also "tithe" any deal I get with a portion of every multi-item deal going straight to the food bank.

catbunny

11-29-2009, 11:53:57 PM

I'm lucky because my family is my biggest support system. My DH is a wonderful shopping buddy and loves to help locate sale items for me. He brings home coupons from work and everywhere he goes. One day we were watching the local news and they had a person on there that was supposed to be a "expert" couponer. She was giving out what I consider to be very basic tips. Afterward, my DH, a man of few words, looked at me and said with a sly grin "man, she don't have a clue." I thought that was so funny and it made me feel great! My sister has recently started couponing too, so we pool our resources. She doesn't have much time between working two jobs, so I do the research, let her know where to find the deals and which Q's to use. I live in a small town 30 minutes to an hour from anywhere. She lives in a larger city, so she buys my Sunday papers for me at Wal-Mart where they're $.99 each instead of $1.50 like they are in my town. She also has a teenaged son that works at one of the local grocery stores where she lives and he even gets coupons for us there. My 2 boys do their part to help out as well. They think it's a game to find coupons on our weekly trips into "town". They see who can spot the most blinkies, tearpads and discarded Q's that shoppers leave lying on shelves and floors. They are actually a big help. I know I'm rubbing off on them because recently they went to my grandparents' house for a visit and at snack time Grandmama offered them some snack crackers. My youngest looked at the box and promptly told her that he couldn't have those because he didn't have a coupon for them!! Out of the mouths of babes, huh!

Like so many of ya'll, I've tried to help friends who really need to be cutting corners, but they just aren't interested in it. "Too much work, don't have time, don't know where to find coupons," I've heard all the excuses. I've even had people ask me to teach them how, and when I start explaining, I get that same glazed over look like so many others have said they get. Now I just keep my mouth shut and keep raking in the deals!:hysterical:

Sorry so long, guess I get carried away!!!

Stickinit2theman

11-30-2009, 12:38:10 AM

Yeah, I know what you mean, CatCunny. I, too, have attempted to get a few friends on board with saving $$$, but to no avail on most. I get the same excuses and rationalizations with no attempt at saving the money I tell them they can save. And in this economy, all of my friends can stand to save a few bucks!

However, at least one of my friends has come around and now she even insgtructs ME on ways to save! So the message does get through to some people.

texwifeinct

11-30-2009, 05:56:47 AM

I know I'm rubbing off on them because recently they went to my grandparents' house for a visit and at snack time Grandmama offered them some snack crackers. My youngest looked at the box and promptly told her that he couldn't have those because he didn't have a coupon for them!! Out of the mouths of babes, huh!

Oh I am so glad I am not the only one "corrupting" my boys. Our contest is who saved the most at the grocery store(they have their own copy of my loyalty card). I knew it was becoming second nature to them this weekend when my youngest (7) decided to set up a "store" selling his things. He made a sign with prices. His brother(8 almost 9) went in to shop and saw he didn't have enough money. His brother said "Well why don't you use a coupon then it will be FREE." :giggle2: So the oldest came out and we converted an expired Q so he could use it, then when he went back to the store he asked if they doubled Qs.:hysterical: So funny. He made up another Q for himself and his brother told him " Sir, I can't register this Q it doesn't have a barcode.:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:. This was like 10-15min of playtime I was soo proud.

NayNeeNoo

11-30-2009, 09:31:45 AM

Oh I am so glad I am not the only one "corrupting" my boys. Our contest is who saved the most at the grocery store(they have their own copy of my loyalty card). I knew it was becoming second nature to them this weekend when my youngest (7) decided to set up a "store" selling his things. He made a sign with prices. His brother(8 almost 9) went in to shop and saw he didn't have enough money. His brother said "Well why don't you use a coupon then it will be FREE." :giggle2: So the oldest came out and we converted an expired Q so he could use it, then when he went back to the store he asked if they doubled Qs.:hysterical: So funny. He made up another Q for himself and his brother told him " Sir, I can't register this Q it doesn't have a barcode.:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:. This was like 10-15min of playtime I was soo proud.

:hysterical: That is tooooo cute and funny!

Theresat

12-02-2009, 01:58:05 PM

My experience is people don't want to take the time/work/energy to coupon and therefore they look down on you (jealousy?) when they see the deals. It does take time and work, I'm not going to lie, but I enjoy it and love saving money!!!! More money to spend on things that matter..right now we're enjoying a brand new dishwasher that I bought saving money with coupons over the past few months! It helps to find a "couponing buddy" cause no one else gets it.

Cynthiabutterfly

12-02-2009, 02:54:10 PM

I rarely share IRL. My family is the only exception, and I have shared items occasionally with them, and only one of my 6 siblings ever got interested enough to start couponing on her own.

Luckily, she's far enough away that we don't have to compete in the stores, but close enough that we can trade coupons occasionally (she gives me her baby stuff and I give her the dog ones) and we call each other to say things like "did you get the kellogg's deal?" and "Did you see all the freebies at CVS this week?" or "get lots of newspapers this week, there are some good ones!"

It's a perfect balance for me because the family members that don't care about couponing never ask me for anything, and I can still give hba and food 'gifts'!

Annaquin

12-02-2009, 06:23:05 PM

I love this thread.

In the past few years my family has been hit hard in many ways, however, we still have a lot more then many people in our situation. We are currently recieving food stamps- as someone who (before I was laid off) worked since I was old enough to help out at my family's buisness- I don't see the FS as our $$- I realize it is a gift from all those out there working hard so I think its only responsible to spend it wisely. LOL if I could I would try and find a way to make it mandatory that if you get food stamps you have to coupon.

But I love couponing, my family and friends might think I'm crazy, but I see it as being responsible for $ entrusted to me.

karaboo

12-03-2009, 07:08:17 AM

I am relatively new to couponing, but I totally get it.

My second week at CVS, I bought $100 worth of items, paid $20 oop, and got $15 in EBCs. DH was with me and couldn't believe it. Neither could I!!!

My best girlfriend is in bad financial shape. The economy has hurt her husband's business badly, and they are really struggling. I was so excited to share my CVS news with her...and so disappointed that it fell flat. She seemed happy for me, but wasn't interested in doing it herself. Oh well.

I teach Sunday School to about 50 mentally challenged adults. I haven't been couponing long enough this year to do it, but next year, I am going to fill gift bags full of loot to give to them for Christmas. They appreciate everything. They will be thrilled with shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, candy, toys...they are so sweet and will just be ecstatic. All those little items we get for free will make them over-the-top happy. I wish I had known about this earlier so I could have made gift bags for them this year.

BLeach

12-03-2009, 09:42:54 AM

I love CVS and even though the deals aren't as great still go about twice a month.
I get home and the kids (2, 3 & 5) look through the bags and we talk about how much we saved and how much we spent. Usually things are free or money makers.

Last week my 5 year old DS was looking through the Sunday ads and found the CVS one. He paged through it and got super excited. He took the ad with him and ran to DH and said "Look dad, free Wii games at CVS this week!!"

When asked why they were free he said "Mom gets everything at CVS for free!"

EshuBarakeno

12-03-2009, 12:33:45 PM

beautiful analogy!
Thanks. :wink7:

EshuBarakeno

12-03-2009, 12:36:43 PM

I teach Sunday School to about 50 mentally challenged adults. I haven't been couponing long enough this year to do it, but next year, I am going to fill gift bags full of loot to give to them for Christmas. They appreciate everything. They will be thrilled with shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, candy, toys...they are so sweet and will just be ecstatic. All those little items we get for free will make them over-the-top happy. I wish I had known about this earlier so I could have made gift bags for them this year.
What if you did it treasure box style for this year? Just take your extra items and let them each pick one thing out of a box.

hmmackey

12-18-2009, 08:32:24 PM

In a way I'm thankful that not everyone I share about couponing with buys into it. If everyone did coupon and took the time to organize, plan, and execute, companies may not be able to give us as many good deals to take advantage of. I am so thankful to all of you for your hard work and taking the time to teach me how to coupon, along with sweety1786 who really showed me how to make this work. You guys rock!

TerryTerrific

12-18-2009, 08:57:24 PM

...

My best girlfriend is in bad financial shape. The economy has hurt her husband's business badly, and they are really struggling. I was so excited to share my CVS news with her...and so disappointed that it fell flat. She seemed happy for me, but wasn't interested in doing it herself. Oh well.

...

You can lead a horse to water, but gosh dang it, you cannot make them drink!

+

When I lived in the great state of GA, I told a friend that taught a class in high school about couponing to look 'for the students that had a light bulb go off above their head.'

They are the ones that are going to go far in couponing!

+

Terence in Brook Park, oHIo

caseamundo

12-19-2009, 11:22:52 PM

This thread is hilarious. Try being in college and talking about coupons. One of my boyfriend's guys friends saw me cutting and said, "So you're the crazy lady I make sure not to get behind in line?" Yeah, so I'm a college kid that cares about saving money, its a rarity. However, I'm trying to convince my sorority to let me give them a couponing workshop, at least for clothing stores. They could use it. I could kill myself over the amounts that some of them spend. :-X

kaydalenascar

12-20-2009, 02:05:23 PM

I just hate the attitude you get from other people. My family thinks I am wasting my time and the CVS manager always stares at me like I am stealing or something. At first I felt bad, but they don't pay my bills so pooh on them!

ladycat00

12-20-2009, 02:40:36 PM

I just hate the attitude you get from other people. My family thinks I am wasting my timeMy family KNOWS I'm not wasting my time. I love showing them my receipts so I can see their eyes bug out and their jaws hit the floor. :giggle2:

But even the ones who are having a very rough time financially seem to have no real interest in learning how I do it.

rachellepeters

12-20-2009, 02:50:14 PM

It's funny, I've shared my info with 3 friends....the one with the most money is ON BOARD and we just hit CVS again today...made $6 buy buying tons of stuff....another does it too. However the one with the $ problems...serious money problems, won't even try. Her hubby is wanting a second job and I tried explaining that they could JUST COUPON and save $300+ per month, it will be like a tax free 2nd job. She just laughed and said...nah. But she never takes $ advice and is constantly struggling and borrowing and begging, she's a lost cause. My sister is on board but can't print q's right now, so she is doing her best and starting to enjoy it too

If someone doesn't want to try or even listen, I will spend my energy having FUN with those who do "get it".

khaski

12-20-2009, 03:30:11 PM

I am fortunate, I guess....my best friend, who lives a few miles away and shops the same places I do, is all into it too...we (literally) will call eachother to brag about the dented can goods or dicounted baked goods we found that day....in our town we have those 'donation bins' for charity- common practice is to put IN the bins what you wanna donate, and put next to the bins what's free for others to take if they wish....we both 'bin pick' and will pick up stuff for the other one's children and family should we find it. It IS nice to have someone esle who 'gets it'....I have other friends I would NEVER mention this stuff too, they would think we were 'low class'. But handling your $ wisely and spending as little as possible isn't 'bad'- it's WISE! Luckily there are plenty of us here who will join you in getting excited about your bargainm finds!

kellid

12-21-2009, 06:47:40 AM

Mostly people just think that I'm totally insane. Whenever I tell anyone in my family (other than my mom) about my great deals, they look at me like I grew a second head.

My fiance loves that I save so much money but doesn't care to hear the details... he does like telling people that I can get tons of stuff for very little oop. Apparently I've inspired one of his friends to save coupons, but he doesn't buy papers or anything like that, he just picks up coupons he sees in the store.

I have a new friend/neighbor who wants me to teach her how to shop like I do, I'm not sure she's focused enough though. I was talking to her about how I go into CVS most weeks and get $30-$50 worth of good, name brand products and usually pay just tax... I'm hoping that maybe I can reel her in and then I'd have a shopping buddy.

I also have a friend who wants me to teach his wife about couponing but she's not interested. She's convinced that anyone who shops at CVS is just crazy and is spending way too much money on the stuff they purchase. I just laugh. I used to think that people who shopped at CVS for anything other then their medications were totally insane, I've told them that but she still thinks that I'm spending too much.

I do most of my sharing/bragging on here and other blogs because I like encouragement. :)

ladycat00

12-21-2009, 08:41:56 AM

I also have a friend who wants me to teach his wife about couponing but she's not interested. I have a nephew with a live in girlfriend, and they have a child. She doesn't work because she wants to be a stay at home mom.

They are having an extremely hard time, and can barely keep food on the table.

My nephew wants his girlfriend to learn to coupon like I do. She has absolutely no interest and just rolls her eyes at him when he mentions it.She's convinced that anyone who shops at CVS is just crazy and is spending way too much money on the stuff they purchase. I just laugh. I used to think that people who shopped at CVS for anything other then their medications were totally insane, I've told them that but she still thinks that I'm spending too much. Show her your receipts. :biggrin:

Ask her, if FREE is too much, what is her idea of cheap enough?

kellid

12-21-2009, 12:37:03 PM

Show her your receipts. :biggrin:

Ask her, if FREE is too much, what is her idea of cheap enough?

I used to scan my receipts to email to him but no matter how much he tells her about my savings, she says that the prices are too high. I tell him I've gotten to the point where I've learned the system well enough that I just pay tax.

Last week I spent way more than usual and it was just $5.54 (all but 22 cents was tax). I saved $224.38... and for that $5.54, I bought tons of stuff, 2 botles of anti-dandruff shampoo for my fiance that he needed ($7.29/bottle), all the freebies (tissue paper, bows, gift tags) which I was probably going to buy from somewhere anyway, John Freida shampoo/conditioner, 3 boxes of really cute star lights (originally $9.99/box) that I really wanted to buy, and a bunch of other stuff. I think that I bought about 40 items last week and ended up with more extra bucks then I started with.

She won't listen though. She just says the prices are too high, the end. It's crazy.

seedlady

12-21-2009, 02:52:29 PM

my suggestion is just to get a brick and bang your head on it- that is faster and somewhat less painful than trying to explain the joys of couponing to those who do NOT wish to hear.

jennifermevans

12-21-2009, 02:56:55 PM

my suggestion is just to get a brick and bang your head on it- that is faster and somewhat less painful than trying to explain the joys of couponing to those who do NOT wish to hear.

I couldn't agree more! You are too funny, seedlady!

jelibean13

12-23-2009, 10:09:57 AM

My mother's always used some coupons but doesn't combine them with sales usually. I've told my mother and a few friends about it but I think they think it's too much work. I don't tell too many people about it around where I live because I don't want to have to go first thing on Sundays to get deals before they're sold out. Right now there aren't many people taking advantage of the deals here so I almost always get what I went in for.
My DH is very supportive and very happy for my savings and all the extras he would not have gotten before I started couponing. I give some of my stockpile as gifts, donate a lot to charity because I have a lot on hand when the need arises. So I feel I'm doing my part for my family and the greater good by doing this. My mother and MIL have supported me by sending me good coupons and inserts that they don't use.