Share your good Coupon Karma story (it doesn't have to be about coupons!!!)

[hotcouponmama]

I hinted in the newsletter last month that we'd be having a place to share our Coupon Karma stories all month. Coupon Karma doesn't have to be just about coupons - your story could be any kind of good karma kind of deed that you've put out there into the world where you've helped someone else or done something nice, or done something great and no one else noticed because you did it just to do it.

But, we're calling it Coupon Karma because your deed may be rewarded in coupons. Some of the stories you post might just get a little reward in your mail box - hence the karma of if you put good into the world, good comes back to you!

And for our members, if you read a story that hits you the right way, anyone can opt to reward another member just by PMing them and asking for an addy to send a few coupons their way.

Coupon Karma month is all about giving and receiving. And watch for rep points - I imagine this thread will be full of them! So go forth and do good things this month.....you never know when karma is coming back to you in a good way!

[derketchup]

Well, let's see.

I saw that someone was looking for $1/1 revlon tool coupons, and I literally had a ton sitting on my desk. I sent her a PM and said, "send me your addy and I'll send 'em to ya." I did it as a RAOK since I wasn't looking for anything she had on her WL at that moment in time.

I put them in an envie and it was sitting on my desk, because the next day was Sunday. I go out, get my paper, and find 4 identical SS inserts! Talk about near-instant Karma!

[oregoncactus]

Feels weird to share, since I try to never talk about good deeds. I hope to learn from others on this thread about new good deeds to do!

When we lived in Oregon, our school underwent a change from being pretty affluent to mixed - still affluent, but then we changed boundaries and had lower income apartments. I volunteered alot at school and saw many needs develop that were never there before. So I decided to help out the families as I could.

Since a free public education really isn't free anymore, I looked for ways to help make it more free. When requests came for field trip money, I'd ask the teacher how much extra she needed and donate it. When requests came home for party supplies or snacks, I would ask what extra she needed covered and donate it. Same thing for requests for community supplies, purchasing recorders for music, and anything else that needed families to donate. I can't tell you how many happy faces on kids I saw that weren't able to bring in supplies for making gingerbread houses or commerative field trip t-shirts but suddenly they had the same things as everyone else when it came time to make them. The joy they experienced meant more to me than anything.

I also wrote a grant application for a reading program for low income families. It bused them all to school and showed parents how to work with their kids on reading. We gave parents tools to use in helping develop readers. It was based on the SMART reader program. The kids got one-on-one reading time with their parent(s), and the parents learned skills for helping their children. Our school wasn't poor enough to qualify for SMART, so this was a way to help families who would have gotten this program if they lived in another area.

It makes me feel great to help out kids. They are our future.

christi

[Cynthiabutterfly]

I read a story about someone who paid for the person behind them in the drive-thru, and for hours they just kept paying for the person behind them, and I thought that would be an awesome thing to do- So when I went to McD alone for lunch while a work (a rare thing for me) I asked the person how much was the order behind me, and told her I would like to pay for them too. She was so surprised, I don't think she knew what to do. It was only a few dollars, but it made someone's day.

[wendygirl]

Well my "good coupon Karma story" is not about coupons at all, although I love them dearly! (Hold on little babies, momma will be right there!)


My good fortune has come because I have swallowed my pride and started sharing the story of my past, with joy. I was a "2 gallon of vodka a week" alchi. Functional yes, but I was also a selfish, self-centered and very angry person.

Because I can say these things about myself using the word WAS, I can say them with a genuine smile and with joy I have never known before. I am suppose to share my story. We are suppose to share our stories.

I have recently met several wonderful women. I could have had the normal polite conversation when asked about my family. But no, I told the truth & smiled. I saw the transformation on their faces, the shock, the compassion and then the tears ... they saw themselves in me. I was suppose to share with them.

Trust is a very hard thing and healing requires trust. Connecting with people is a gift. I am blessed with good karma because I have made new friends.

Thank you Jesus.

[druidessemily]

My "good coupon Karma" took place at Toys R Us. We had printed out a stack of the free Hot Wheels/Littlest Pet Shop coupons, and my husband and I each grabbed a hot wheel. We still had a lot of the coupons left over, so we went around the store giving a coupon to each child! I could tell we really made their day, one of the kids it was his birthday and he was trying to decide on what to buy. The parents were SO happy!

Back when Target had their insanely awesome $1 off any 2 Gerber products, I printed out a few hundred coupons and just handed large stacks of coupons to every woman I saw in the infant food aisle. So many women burst into tears when I gave them the coupons and explained what they were for, they couldn't believe that a random stranger would help them like that!

My husband and I don't have a lot of money, but we can pay our bills, and have a little bit left over. It makes us feel good spiritually to be able to help out others. I will definitely have to keep the drive through idea in mind.

[Songstress2]

My Karma story is nothing major. I grew up living with my grandmother, dad never really helped...neither did my mom. But in watching my grandmother just give and give, no matter whether she had it to give...I figured that I would take on the same mindset. I had 10.xx left in the bank account. There was a man at KFC and he was just standing out there. He asked if I had any extra money. i asked him if he wanted some food. Not really thinking about it, I ordered a 10 piece bucket (they had an "end of the month" special for 6.99) and I ordered some food for my family. When I got my total, it was 12.xx. I was worried that it wouldn't go through...but it did anyway! I was in shock. I got my food and gave him what I got for him. He then tells me that in giving him more than just a 2 piece, he was now able to feed himself, his wife and 2 kids. He had been in an accident and he lost his job because of an inability to work and unemployment ran out. He got denied for assistance from the goverments. They said that he could do some type of job to mke ends meet pretty much. His wife lost her job 2 years prior, they had depleted their savings in months of his accident. They lost thier house, cars, everything and were staying at a shelter. He gave me a hug and told me that God would bless me for what i had done. I went home and checked my bank account, bacause there was no way that the transaction could have gone through. SOMEHOW...the transaction didn't appear in my account. It didn't appear for a week...the day after my husband got paid! I guess God figured that i could help someone else out...so he would help me out too, huh?

[nessatxmom]

My karma story just happened on Monday. I was trolling around the isles at Kroger, when a young woman stopped me. "What all do I need for Thanksgiving dinner? It's my first time cooking it alone and I want it to be great for my fiancee." So, I asked her what all she had already picked up and gave her some suggestions. We ended up walking around the store together as she gathered the rest of her things. Turns out she is a student at the local Baptist university and money of course was tight. I whipped out my binder and gave her coupons for every single item in her basket, as well as a few frees I had on hand. It felt so awesome to help someone out and she was thrilled! I left Kroger smiling from ear to ear.

[tebar]

Well, I'll share one that does involve coupons...

While driving across town last week, I stopped at a not-so-local CVS store to see if they had any of the Nova monitors. When I asked about them at the pharmacy, I noticed that an elderly gentleman was getting a prescription filled. I had one coupon left for a $25GC with new prescription and couldn't use it, so I handed it to the man. The man at first was confused, but the pharmacist told him "yes, take the coupon!".

I saw the man as he walked out of the store - he had a huge smile on his face and some definite pep in his step. He was thrilled to have just been handed a $25GC he didn't expect and told me that he's so happy to know that there are still nice people in the world.

Of course I couldn't stop smiling the rest of the evening either. It just feels so good to do something nice for someone.

[luvmy3boys]

Wow, what awesome stories guys! I have given coupons in the store and people do look really grateful. One time, there was this old couple and she was griping about him wanting to spend so much money on some type of frozen food, can't remember. Anyway, I pulled out a coupon and the guy was so happy! It was hysterical. (Of course let's ignore the times they look at you like you have 6 heads!!)

Anyway, once I was in the parking lot and asked for money. I didn't have any as I usually don't have cash, but he looked hungry, so I gave him a box of granola bars. The guy was so grateful, he just went on and on. It made my day. Now dh always wants us to have snacks and drinks in the car that we can give away!!

[ArmyOfFive]

Mine isn't about q's. And reading Heidi's angel thread reminded me of this story.

About 9 years ago, I moved from GA to SC with just a couple thousand dollars. I was getting low on money, was living with friends and hadn't been able to find a job yet (there were alternate circumstances there as well, but I'd rather not go into them on a public forum). I moved JUST before a terrible tornado went through GA- some of you may remember the tornado that hit Roswell & surrounding areas pretty hard.

Well, a gal that I'd worked with lost everything in her apt. when it hit & I can't remember now, but I think all they were left with (her, hubby & kids) were the clothes on their backs & her car. I left $20 with my former (her still current) boss to give to her, and figured if nothing else, it would buy a couple of cheap outfits at walmart for the kids.

A few weeks later I came back to GA again to pick up the rest of my belongings, and ended up stranded in a Kroger parking lot- car broke down. A lady there was so gracious and gave me $50 to get the car towed/fixed/taxi/whatever it was I needed. All I could think about when she did that was the "measly $20" I offered someone else in their time of trouble.

I've believed in karma ever since.

[momabrown3]

This is my angle karma story.I remember it like it was yesterday even thou its been over 7 years ago(8/3/00).I was prego with my son Derek.I had just come from the Dr.Office.They were going to take my son that day because I had toxima really bad.I had my oldest daughter Jamie with me.I stoped at CVS.It was close to the Dr.office.I had to pick up acouple of things before I left for the hospital.As I come out of the store there was a young man standing next to the store entrance.I thought he was trying to go in.I stoped so i could cross the street.This is small Cvs store in the middle of down town.They don't have there own parking lot.The young man a the door come up to me an said I want you to have this for your child.Get something for your baby.I was In shock.He said it was his birthday.I said Happy birthday.I then said my son is going to be born today. He handed me a bill that was folded up.He said his mother gave it to him but he did not need any thing.Idid not even look at it .I thanked him.I crossed the street ,I then opened up the bill.It was a hundred dollar bill.I looked to see were the young man went but.I never saw him.It was like he was an angle.He was no were to be seen.I had just spent my last 3 dollars before I walked out of CVS.A miricale.I think about this every time I go to this CVS.I am always paying it forward when I can.

[bugface711]

My most recent is very similar to an above story... Today I went to CVS to fill a persciption for my husband. I had a $25 coupon for a free gift card when filling a new scrip.
I also got another coupon, in store last week for the same.

There had been a man in front of me in line with a new perscription, he smiled at me. Isnt it crazy how a simple smile can make your day?

anyway, my scrip came up first. Once i was done I went to find him and said, "this is totally random, dont think Im wierd LOL. but here is a coupon for a $25 gift card, please use this when you pay for your meds, you will get a $25 gift card as i just did!" He said thank you SOOO Much. this is truly my lucky day. I said sometime in life, remember to pay it forward!

I love to make people smile, and he smiled w/o being offered anything in return so I felt like I was already paying it forward by sharing.

[Coupon-Crazy]

About a month or so ago.... a lady posted on Freecycle that she needed food. We are a family of 10 on a limited budget and our stockpiled food doesn't hang around very long. But, I really felt led to help this lady. To my surprise, within the next few days I found out that Lowes was having triple coupons. I was so excited! I got this lady and her son a lot of food for very little OOP during the three day triples!

[ShoppingCartDiva]

I think the thing that sticks out most in my mind, I was in the Martin's baby food aisle. This was before my daughter was born, and I was stockpiling. Well an older gentleman came in, and was looking and looking and looking and seemed confused. Then he decided on some juice. I had a ton of the 75¢/1 Beech-Nut Juice Coupons (which made them 16¢ after doubled), so I offered him some.

He looked at me a bit surprised, then he said, "Do you think, maybe you could help me?" He was a widow, and his grand-daughter had found herself pregnant, young (but still capable, I got the impression she was about 20) and not married. Her parents were basically shutting her out of their lives. He wanted to pick up some things for the baby (to show her that he still loved her, I think, he was one of those types who doesn't express feelings well) but having never done so, he just didn't know what to get. So I helped him pick out a bunch of baby items and with coupons I think he probably paid about $10.

This really isn't a Karma story, because honestly, it helped ME just as much. At the time, I too was an unwed, though not as young (27) soon-to-be mother. It felt so wonderful to be able to help him out, and it was all I could do not to cry thinking of how hard he was trying to show his grand-daughter he still cared.

It's funny, how little things can open big doors.

[tinlizzy]

I was at a dentist's office yesterday (not my own, work related) and asked if I could have a Crest Q rather than just taking one and they gave me a case (24) of full-size Crest Pro Health toothpaste! That retails for over $100!

Last month I was given a box of 50 Vaseline Intensive Care healing hand creams for mentioning that that I loved that lotion. These sell for $3.xx.

Last year I was given a box of 250 Advil samples.

For me good karma seems to arrive by the box full and yesterday it dawned on me (to my relief- all this stuff was giving me the karma test jitters) that I could pay it forward by making little HBA travel packs for my co-worker and others in his reserve unit who will be deployed to Iraq for the second time this summer.

I'm going to add toothbrushes, floss, chapstick & travel soap.

[rachel2007a]

While in Safeway I was checking out and the man in front of me was buying the mini watermelons they had along with some wheat thins. Both were BOGO with a club card. He did not have one so I had the cashier use mine. It saved him about $10 off his bill.

I am sure many of us do this all the time, it is an awesome feeling!

[auntsashie]

Some of your stories are so inspiring!
I leave coupons on items at the store. The other day at Publix, the man behind me put all his groceries on the counter as I was paying. So I said looks like you spent at least 30 heres a Q for 5 off. At first, he looked at me like I was speaking a different language. Then he said thank you in a shocked kind of voice. Too Funny!!!!!

[momgenet]

I'm really not sure I "believe" all this Coupon Karma-do-something-nice and something nice will happen to you stuff . Shouldn't we just help people how we would want to be helped??? I mean . . . .regardless of "what was in it for us"?
Anyway .. .I live in an area that is hard to coupon. Not a large paper. Not many chain stores . . .Not many people coupon. So I started a group in my own city. We chat on yahoo groups about where to find coupons, etc. I met a lady that has a paper route and she gives me tons of GOOD coupons. So I organize a give-away and pass them out to others by the stack. Otherwise they would be thrown away. It just made sense to me . . .especially when I realized that some in our group/city couldn't hardly afford to buy the papers/coupons. I am looking at organizing "buddy groups," where new couponers go w/ experienced people to shop into the local store together. I am glad to help these families in some small way. And even if I never even got so much as a thank you, I would still do this anyway.

[lmncc2003]

I read a story about someone who paid for the person behind them in the drive-thru, and for hours they just kept paying for the person behind them, and I thought that would be an awesome thing to do- So when I went to McD alone for lunch while a work (a rare thing for me) I asked the person how much was the order behind me, and told her I would like to pay for them too. She was so surprised, I don't think she knew what to do. It was only a few dollars, but it made someone's day.


That seems like something I might try to do:biggrin:

[garyandkathi]

I love stories like these.

[Serenacoleman2004]

I'm all for sharing....but we need to make sure we have those specific coupons others want. A couple of days ago I was on the flashchat and we were talking about coupons. I was sooo excited that someone wasn't going to use this (nameless) coupon and she was going to send them to me. I waited for these.... and I'm not going to mention any names but she sent me a note saying she was sorry, she didn't have that particular coupon but sent others in it's place. I was soo mad, of course this through off my savings; but what are ya gonna do. (Move on)

[pewter17]

well this isn't really about coupons but i thought i'd share. i was treasure hunting at my local grocery outlet last week (Grocery out let is a small regional supermarket that sells really cheap food and grocery). i had just entered that market and passed all the check-out registers when i saw a little girl putting back a candy bar because she didn't have enough money. now that's just WRONG when a kid can't enjoy a candy bar. so i just grabbed 4 or 5 different kinds, paied, gave them to the kid, told her to enjoy and quickly ran away (yeah, i am quite shy and didn't know what to say). i love to see kids happy,,,, wooo hooo!

[kdphi_uh]

I would've have been happy just getting some extra coupons! :biggrin:

I'm all for sharing....but we need to make sure we have those specific coupons others want. A couple of days ago I was on the flashchat and we were talking about coupons. I was sooo excited that someone wasn't going to use this (nameless) coupon and she was going to send them to me. I waited for these.... and I'm not going to mention any names but she sent me a note saying she was sorry, she didn't have that particular coupon but sent others in it's place. I was soo mad, of course this through off my savings; but what are ya gonna do. (Move on)

[Sandy2773]

Here's my story...

Back in Aug/Sept when the $20 OneTouch Ultra2 coupons were out and my local WM had them for $18.88. I was in WM and i went to the Pharmacy section to the monitors and 2 ladies were standing in front for the monitors. I said excuse me and grab a monitor. One of them asked me what monitor I would recommend because her DR told her she needed to get one and she didn't have insurance. I picked up another Ultra2 Monitor and handed to her. Then I handed her the $20 coupon. I told her that she would get the monitor for free at the check out. As I was checking out, they walked by and said Thank You w/ a big smile on their faces.

[kalvarado]

I'm all for sharing....but we need to make sure we have those specific coupons others want. A couple of days ago I was on the flashchat and we were talking about coupons. I was sooo excited that someone wasn't going to use this (nameless) coupon and she was going to send them to me. I waited for these.... and I'm not going to mention any names but she sent me a note saying she was sorry, she didn't have that particular coupon but sent others in it's place. I was soo mad, of course this through off my savings; but what are ya gonna do. (Move on)

I would have been grateful that this person even offered to send you something....

[justlucy06]

Last night at CVS, I was on a final transaction and a man walked up with 2 items behind me. I told him it would be just a minute. He had a tums and a CVS stomach acid remedy. I handed him the Tums coupon from the diabetes booklet for $1 & we was well pleased and the cashier and I made a fuss about being excited a man would use a coupon. Then when I heard his total was above X amount, I gave him another coupon. He was so pleased.

Then he stopped me and said I've had a really, REALLY bad day and this is the nicest thing that's happened to me. Thanks for making my day. I told him, no thanks for making my day.

[latte]

when i was at walgreens the other day i saw an elderly couple with 2 downys and paper coupons (the paper coupons the wife had were for 25 cents of any,) and the coupons i had were for 50 cents off, she looked so surpised that i gave her those! i told her i wasnt sure if she could use them, but to try them, because mine were from samples of the tide with baking soda and downy with baking soda coupons (i cant remember where i hadsent in for them) thats what was pictured, but on the fine print it said ANY downy, so to me that was a go......they had other stuff in thier cart, but stupid me, i threw away the coupons for those things! i wished i could have handed her more, i know what its like to NOT be able to afford the things you need without coupons and i also know i only saved her a dollar versus her 50 cents, but mine were expiring on the 31st, and i had been waiting to see ANYONE purchase downy while i was shopping



a pay it forward i had once......id been bitten by a hobo spider (long story on that) and was in a new town, i was lost, had no clue how to get to the nearest hospital, i didnt even have bus fare! this kind gentleman DROVE me to the hospital AND gave me $20 for any prescriptions i may have! thanks to that gentleman, i still have my leg

[SchwoomsMom]

My stories aren't as inspiring, but they sure were helpful!!

Story#1
My neighbor, a single man and I were talking about groceries, and I noticed he'd had a pack of store brand disposable razors in his bag. I asked him about reusable ones, did he ever use them, (I tried to make it sound like I was trying to get info for my dh, not "knowing" about mens razors) He told me he was on hard times, and could only afford the ones that make him have bumps, but he had to shave for work. After we spoke, I immediately went into my apt (he lives one floor below me, we were talking in the garage) and grabbed him a Fusion Power razor and Edge shave gel, (from my stockpile) and brought it to him. He said he didn't know how to thank me. I said, when you can, just pay it forward.
So... Yesterday, I was on the phone with my mom, talking about diapers. It's the end of the month, and I'm out of money, and my stockpile of diapers recently ran out. I was asking her if she would buy me a pack of diapers (I've NEVER had to ask her before... My sister (who lives in CA ~we're in WA~asks ALL the time) so she IMMEDIATELY said she would, that she was going to Costco the next day, what size did I need. I told her. About 3 hours later, I get a knock on my door. It's the guy from the floor below (razor) with a HUGE box of Huggies diapers, in the size I was talking to mom about. He said "I'm paying it forward!" It turns out he was in the garage in his car when I was talking to my mom, and overheard the conversation, and because he was doing better financially, he decided to help me out.


Short Story #2
(I'm always the one scanning other peoples groceries to give away q's I can't use~
I was at Safeway about a week before I was brought diapers~this was the last pack I had~ and the last $, I had DS2 with me (2yrs old) and he was CRANKY. I thought I'd just run in and out, getting the cheap pack of diapers, but the lines were LONG. I didn't have any diapers left, so I had to get them. I ended up behind this lady and her daughter (10-13?) who were talking to eachother and loading up the belt. The lady then asked me when she saw me holding the diapers and the baby, (who was nearly screaming to go home) was I buying cigs? I looked at her like HUH?? She repeated the question. I told her, no, just the diapers. She said, go ahead and go first. Then she said, "the last time I let someone go, they wanted cigs too, and it wasn't quick like I thought, so I had to ask." I thanked her, telling her that it was his naptime, and I was getting really frustrated, and wanted to get him home. As the cashier was ringing my diapers up, I looked in her hand and saw she was using coupons. I reached in my purse, and had a couple q's that I was going to use for the same sale that matched her purchases. She was so grateful!

[austinmomto2]

Well my "good coupon Karma story" is not about coupons at all, although I love them dearly! (Hold on little babies, momma will be right there!)


My good fortune has come because I have swallowed my pride and started sharing the story of my past, with joy. I was a "2 gallon of vodka a week" alchi. Functional yes, but I was also a selfish, self-centered and very angry person.

Because I can say these things about myself using the word WAS, I can say them with a genuine smile and with joy I have never known before. I am suppose to share my story. We are suppose to share our stories.

I have recently met several wonderful women. I could have had the normal polite conversation when asked about my family. But no, I told the truth & smiled. I saw the transformation on their faces, the shock, the compassion and then the tears ... they saw themselves in me. I was suppose to share with them.

Trust is a very hard thing and healing requires trust. Connecting with people is a gift. I am blessed with good karma because I have made new friends.

Thank you Jesus.

You're awesome! It takes courage and selflessness to share your story with others. I am a from a very dysfunctional alcoholic family with lots of baggage. Alcoholism is a disease and affects so many people who interact with the alcoholic.

Your sharing helps those who do see themselves in your past and helps them heal and move on. :BigHand:

[austinmomto2]

I would have been grateful that this person even offered to send you something....

So true :smile:. I think any RAOK is awesome! Those who give are just wonderful people! :BigHand:

[latte]

...maybe im jsut strange but i was wandering around in walmart today and i jsut was looking in peoples carts, and if i saw something they had and an easily acceable coupon, i handed them out today.....i think i ended up handing out 6 deodorant coupons, 4 shampoo coupons, 2 cleaner coupons, 3 make up coupons and 2 snack coupons......i wish i was more organized becauase then i would have been able to help out these 2 little elserly ladies better ---was so cute, one of them asked me if i wanted to come and live with them, and i responded with "are you going to pay my bills" and they said, yeah with all the money you save us:)

[suzy24]

Yesterday I left several coupons for Cascadian Farm products next to their cereal. I needed to get Johnsonville brats, and I was bummed that I had already given away those coupons. When I got to the lunchmeat aisle, there was a .55 q for the brats. Instant Coupon Karma!!

[aaahchuu]

I had just found this site and went on my first trip to CVS last month. I'm diabetic so I picked up a Breeze for me & 1 for my sister who doesn't have insurance. Eyeing the 2 Breeze's in my buggy, a young lady & her mom walked up and the daughter asked if I was a couponer. I told her that I was a confused newbie! After hearing about how rampant diabetes is in my family, she handed me a $4/$20 coupon (the one she was going to use on a Breeze which was no long in stock) and explained how the $/$$ worked.
Of course I thanked her but I'd like to send her something. Unfortunately all is know is that she lives in Shreveport, LA & her mom lives in Marshall, TX which is where I was shopping. So if you happen to know an angel who fits that description, please point her to this post and hopefully she'll PM!

[PLedIsa4031]

mine is from about 3 wks ago. We recently moved back to Alabama from Indiana. We had to go back to IN 3 wks ago to take carre of business on our 2 rental properties & our home that is for sale. We met with our one tenant (a couple) & we were at the library talking with them. I told the wife that I was going CVSing the next day & she acted like she would like to go with me so I said I would pick her up but we would be going to 3 dif CVSs so be prepared to be gone awhile. She said that she didn't have any money but I told her not to worry that there were deals that we could get for free. We started out getting a couple of the Breeze & Contour monitors & went from there with the ECB earned on them. She was real excited as her DH is a new diabetic & her MIL is also one so she knew they could use them. Long story short. After 3 stores & approx 5 orders total- she got 6 of the Pepsi 12 pks, 4 or 5 monitors, 20 Soy Joy bars, 2 CVS tooth brushes, 1 liq All, & 1 Ajax dish soap! All for a total of approx 84¢! (I had a couple of extra $/$ coupons) I paid it as she didn't even have a dollar on her). When I took her home, she had approx $33 in ECB to spend! I called her a couple of days later & she told me they went back & got groceries with the ECB that she had left. I think I made her into a believer! I like helping someone who deserves it. They don't make much money & she has health problems but they make a few dollars too much to qualify for foodstamps.

[Princessree]

Ok, I'm a dork. My orig posted reply is below. I didn't see this whole thread. I thought the thread was for Mods only. Is it?

Am I allowed to post a reply here? :question8:If not, forgive me, as I'm still new.:shrug7:
I just wanted to say WOOO HOOO to your great story, as I just LOVE when these kinds of things happen.:BigHand:

It's always nice when you get to help someone else and also witness/facilitate them learning something that they will be able to use to help themselves.

H

[lifeskills13]

These stories have made me change my mind on taking all my coupons..latly i have been just taking the coupons i needed for a sale but every time since then i passed i don't know how many people that could have used the coupons i won't use :( so next time im goin to take all my coupons (My well organized folder)
The story i have isn't about coupons but helping someone out. I was able to get a lot of cereal for free recently and told my hubbie i would love to donate it. well he got irritated that i suggested it because we are lowincome family and he said we should think about ourselves first. I was bummed and told him that because we don't go to church often we have to give some otherway. He knows thats true and i think it may have led him to do what he did later that day. He stops by the gas station on the way to work everyday to get cigs or pop. He met a guy outside freezing and trying to find someone who will lend him 5bucks for gas so he can get home. Well my hubbie said no he only has 5bucks to get what he was planning on getting...but while he was in teh store he thought about it and walked out and gave him the 5bucks. He said the guy was very grateful and he watched him go inside and pay for gas and come out to fill up the jug he had (to fill up his car which was probably outof gas in the road somewhere)

My hubbie didn't tell me this until a few days later he came into the room and said you know how you said the bible says if you give you will receive? and i said yea...He pulled out an envelope and said guess where this came from? It was a card from our uncle for our daughters birth (which was more then ten months ago) it had a 50dollar bill inside. Our grandma had it and finally remembered about it thinking it was a Christmas card. So giving 5bucks away gave us 50bucks in return :)

[PLedIsa4031]

great story lifeskills13! thanks for sharing that!

[mamaknowsbest]

lifeskills13- we are also low income, and my husband doesn't understand why i give away so much to those who need it more. i just remind him of how greatful i am to have what we have.and i believe because of that, we are blessed with little miracles here and there, such as coming home to find 2 huge boxes filled with nice toys for my 2 boys, no note to be found, on my porch. i use to attend church regularly, but havn't been able to lately, so instead i asked God to just use me as a tool to help others and whatever else. i have found that i have learned so much in a very short time.my goal is to make a difference in a good way, in what little time we have to spend on this beautiful planet. my journey, has only just begun.
:smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile:: smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::s mile:

[mommarock]

Well, first of all I would like to thank Skimo for her coupon Karma. I live near her, and was having trouble finding tearpads.. I knew they were out there... somewhere.. but being only able to get out once a week (due to a one vehicle limit). .. she was kind enough to draw me a little chat map to all the lovely tearpads. I now know how and where to look for tearpads!! Thank you for the coupon Karma Skimo!!

Mommarock

[mommarock]

My own Coupon Karma comes from from sending my coupons for "senior" items to my mother and father. They now live in a building with many other senior citizens. I send her all of my Depends coupons, and Polident coupons, and coupons such as these that seniors can use handily.. She takes one or two, and in turn she pays it forward by putting the stack of coupons in the common room of their building. She get's a little kick out of watching the stack slowly walker off with the other seniors in the building :) She in turn get's her coupon Karma!! LOVE IT!!

Mommarock

[Devstar]

I was at Wal Mart one day getting free Goodlife for kitty cat rescue and a guy was standing there looking at the cat foods for a long time. Then he asked me if I wanted a new cat. I said no thanks ( I don't really like cats much). He said he'd picked up a stray although he didn't want to but he didn't want it to freeze to death and he was there to get it some food so he asked me what to get. So I handed him a Goodlife Q and he said he could just hug me that was so nice!

I went to Wags one day with a bunch of Contac Qs I was planning to leave there for others to use and I walked in the store and there was the megasaver display of Contac so ended up getting several boxes free to take to the pantry--that was a totally unexpected and pleasant surprise!

I was in line to pay at the gas station one day and the lady in front of me was buying ciggies so I gave her one of my $5 Qs and she was so thankful. (I don't promote smoking but she was buying them anyway whether I gave her a Q or not).

I just love it when I hear someone say "See there really are nice people in the world still!". When someone hears this they are more likely to do more kind things and maybe the recipient will too. Then it can just spread!:smile: I can see right here at HCW there are plenty of kind, generous people. It's inspiring!

[latte]

my frankenstein now understands why i take ALL my coupons with me (even if i look like a scatterbrained mess while shopping) because if i see someone with stuff i knwo i have coupons for, i try and pull out as many as i can for peole without having them wait and wait for them.......yesterday this lady had like 30 yogurt cups i handed her every coupon i had for individual yogurts (it was like 5 or 6) she looked surprised, but frankenstien sees why because i do that...some days its only one person and one coupon, otherdays, its anywhere between 5 and 20!

[lifeskills13]

Yesterday I was getting more huggies wipes deal at GE when a lady came up and grabed a box of wipes, I told her you know if you buy 8 you get 5dollars back? she said really? I could see she was thinking about it so i reached into my pocket(i brought all my wipes coupons :) and handed her 7more coupons on top of the one she had in her hand. She said thanx! and grabbed 8 of them :)
so instead of her paying 2.50 for one box of wipes she paid 3.00 for 8boxes of wipes :)

[druidessemily]

I went to Kroger today, to grab some oranges and some hot pockets. When I got to the frozen foods section, I saw a guy talking on his cell phone, he had just grabbed a hot pocket. I got 20 .50/1 coupons in the mail yesterday, so I stopped him and handed him a coupon and then noticed he had another in his cart, so said "you have two?" he said no, he had three cause they were 3/$5. So I gave him 3 coupons and told him that Kroger doubles, and that he'd pay $2 for 3. He was SOOO happy! He couldn't believe that a total stranger would be that nice. When I left him, he was talking on his phone about me!

[latte]

sometimes its hard to be the coupon fairy.......went into walmart today, and got 5 bags of iams cat food, saw 4 people looking at cat stuff, had cat stuff in carts....but "stuff" not food couldnt help them.....college kids needing soap, handed over every irish spring coupon i had after asking them what brand they liked (i think it was 5?) then went to the cleaning aisle......no one buying stuff i had coupons for(and no tape with me as i need to replace the tape that belongs in my backpack)....went to self checkout (like 30 items, and 28 coupons, using my canvas bags) this poor lady came up halfway threw me ringing stuff up with like 5 items with her........my son is handing me my stuff in the order i want it rung up and bagged, the register is freeking out causei have my own bags (it throws off the weight?) then she gets on her phone and starts telling someone that shes at walmart behind this lady in a kinda sneery sort of voice, i have no propane coupons or book coupons for her,then the register starts freeking out on me some more after like 10 coupons, the girl comes over and helps with 5 or so more, the lady is still behind me, my total has gone from 75ish down to 40, and i still had 9 more coupons to use!the manager comes over, and thankfully suspends/transfrers it to finish my transaction(knocking another $15 off my total) that poor lady was gone by the time i was done otherwise i would have shared my goodies with her

[vickib50]

Some years ago, a friend from church and her husband both lost their jobs at the same time. Another friend from church called me and told me about their predicament and that she was going to take some things to them, did I want to contribute a few things. Well, I was stockpiling even back then but not like I do now. I donated quite a bit of food from my pantry and put a few dollars in an envelope for them. Marcie came by and picked it up and took it all to our friends. I'm told that they cried when they saw the generosity of their friends. The next day, I received a grand prize win from a sweepstakes. The prize? $500 in gift certificates to Winn-Dixie.

Even today, I give a lot to homeless shelters, but, I never seem to run out of anything. It seems to multiply in the middle of the night!

[momofalltrades]

I just have to say what a wonderful thread. Hearing your stories of kindness really touches my heart. I hope people will continue to add to this thread.

In that spirit, I'll share that I've only recently started couponing, but have noticed a drastic increase in what I'm able to do for others. A pack of Diet Coke for a friend on a fixed income who's facing increased financial pressure, fun treats to give my kids that we've never been able to afford before, giving a stranger a q to make some nail polish she'd picked up then put back free, running into a friend who was buying something I knew there was a deal on...and then giving her the q's to do it. And my personal favorite mantra now: Couponers don't let friends buy toothpaste! I'm finally able to do some things for some of my friends who have absolutely everything and have been so generous and kind to me.

[MustangSally]

My story is from after doing my coupon shopping...Long story...but I was in another state taking care of my grandmother after a fall, and I was leaving the Dominick's with my mother as we were pulling out this car went flying through the parking lot and jumped the curb and landed smack dab in the middle of the retention pond. Well, ran over and into the retention pond and found it was an elderly couple and I had my mother call 911, another gentlemen (young kid) joined me in the water and we worked to ensure the couple were safe and medically ok, and the car was stable on not sinking, we called their children and told them what happened and that they were ok, and we waited until the rescue teams got there...as soon as we gave our contact information to the police and our version of the events, I jumped in my car and hightailed it out of there....That evening it was on all the local news stations there was even a helicopter out there, they interviewed the young kid, and I followed the news and heard that both people were ok, and back home...and I was happy for my part in saving them, but remaining a mystery rescuer.

Later that week, I found a scratch off lottery ticket in the parking lot and won $1,000!!:BigHand:

[Whispered]

(even if i look like a scatterbrained mess while shopping)

First, lol.. latte...i came out of cvs once and was sitting on the curb, waiting for a friend to pick me up and a lady asked if was ok, bc i looked soo frazzled!!! LOL..:hysterical: i was!!!!
so i can relate :)


I've always believed in karma and feel it comes to you, when you need it..or whatever...maybe not in that moment.. but eventually and karma is fun!!:biggrin:

I had extra BBW works, when they had that special buy 2 bucks and get a 10 dollar product free.

I gave them out to like 5 people, and it was soo fun!!.. bc most couldn't believe it could be true or someone would do that.. i tried to find people that looked like they could use a treat (some w/ babies, others poor, etc)...

I send out monthly letters, on freebies, deals.. bc i don't have $$ to pay for lots of presents.. so I hope they make use of it...

and my Q karma , for here, is to find freebies!!
and post.

(haven't asked, but a couple of people have asked if they could send potluck Q envie to me, which is always much appreciated!!~ i really don't expect anything, i just feel like i Need to do that for my own self.

I feel mainly blessed, to be on this site.. w/ really nice, sharing, caring people...
Great site..

blessings and joy~

next :):smile:

ps: i have sooooo many stories, i've been blessed, so
i feel its impt to play it forward..
Best.. $$200 cabin , in the woods.. at least 1200 sq feet!!! thats what i paid in rent, in Nc, in hmm 1997!! even then a great deal! Plus , i very much believe in Creative Visualization and try and teach that... the cabin also had a dishwasher!!! (which i had written down and specified)
and floor to ceiling shelves, for books!!
It was great..

[mom2lillian]

today I saw an old woman and wags with a bunch 7 day q's looking for her items so I figured she really used coupons and I saw she had the kraft M&C (3) so I gave her a coupon for the 3 off planters deal and showed her where they had some cans clearanced to 2.79 so she could get free peanuts plus pay 0.21 less for the macaroni cheese. It took her a bit to understand what I was saying but then she was excited because she 'loves' peanuts. She caught my eye because she was eyeing my daughter and talking with her and I just love old people but I got more out of it than her free peanuts--I felt really good about it. I think it is the 3rd time I have done similar in the past month or so (strangers, not counting friends) and I really love it!

[He'sAlive]

these are awesome stories. Am I the only one with tears in her eyes while reading these posts?? I LOVE being used to help anyone in any way. It's what life is all about, IMO.

I've done a little coupon-fairying myself....you know, leaving coupons w/ the products on the shelf. Hoping and praying they get used.

I've passed on coupon and store deals to random strangers in the aisles of every store I frequent.

The coolest thing for me is that couponing has created a unique bond between me & my MIL. We've always gotten along well. But now...we talk so much b/c I'm always sharing coupon deals with her. She calls me the Coupon Queen and calls herself the Coupon Princess! It's fun!!!

[chriscree]

This seems strange to toot my own horn but...My boys sell scout fair tickets every year here in Houston..On them are all sorts of coupons, about $200 worth: for resturants, oil changes, and 8 $5 off a $75 dollar purchase at Kroger...I usually buy two for our family they are $10 dollars a piece then I buy 8 more and pass them out to people I see couponing around town... It feels good to help the Boy Scouts and others at the same time...

[Mothernature]

My Karma story? I am always giving and donating. There are a few that stick out in my mind.

1) There were two families in my hometown struggling. The one was helped through an acquaintance. I gave the family 3 truck full loads. I even ran around and collected free items from Craigslist. The other is such a sad story. The mother was ill and the father was very abusive. A friend told me about the family and I wanted to help. I stopped by while the two children were outside playing. They were rail thin. I swung out a pack of candy (DH worked for a candy distributor at the time) and the kids were so grateful, they cried. I met the mother who is a stick and clearly mentally ill. I told the kids that I grew up in an abusive home and to hang in there. It broke my heart growing up in such a home but at least, I made a difference that day for those kids. i never had anyone make it better for me. I did call DCFS and filed a complaint.

2) The homeless woman on the hot day/ blind guy in the subway station. This happened a year ago. It was 105 that day. We stayed in a hotel. I ran into my university's bookstore, purchased 3 cold bottles of water, and gave it to the homeless woman. When we went into the subway, a blind guy was lost. He came up to me and asked for help. I asked him to stay still with my husband and son watching while I found an employee. I explained to the employee the gentleman was blind and needed help. I quite frequently help tourists visiting on-campus or in the general area.

3) My Mother and Father in law. We furnished their apartment (including new tv's and Dyson), I hung blinds on their living room and patio sliding door window, I repaired their walls, hung difficult towel racks, repaired their computer upon call. I even purchased for free and built a very large computer desk. We took them to CVS to spend $300 in ECBs, took them out to expensive dinners (we sat at the chef's table a few time), and even an evening out to a play, dinner, and a room. What angers me about all of this is they did take us for granted. We will see what happens now that we live 1000 miles away. We have 2 gift baskets of HBA and 1 towel cake ready to take when we visit in late December.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/Sittingherethinking/SG2DuoJKFXI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Fk9p9KIBdMo/002.JPG?imgmax=512
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Sittingherethinking/SGcWHcRNTjI/AAAAAAAAAC0/OHn-3Zbx0v8/003.JPG?imgmax=512

4) Members here. I have sent ROAKs and boxes of merchandise by surprise. I realize how lucky we are compared to many here. Jut look at my feedback.


http://picasaweb.google.com/Sittingherethinking/UntitledAlbum02/photo#5217163010435272242

[Mothernature]

sometimes its hard to be the coupon fairy.......went into walmart today, and got 5 bags of iams cat food, saw 4 people looking at cat stuff, had cat stuff in carts....but "stuff" not food couldnt help them.....college kids needing soap, handed over every irish spring coupon i had after asking them what brand they liked (i think it was 5?) then went to the cleaning aisle......no one buying stuff i had coupons for(and no tape with me as i need to replace the tape that belongs in my backpack)....went to self checkout (like 30 items, and 28 coupons, using my canvas bags) this poor lady came up halfway threw me ringing stuff up with like 5 items with her........my son is handing me my stuff in the order i want it rung up and bagged, the register is freeking out causei have my own bags (it throws off the weight?) then she gets on her phone and starts telling someone that shes at walmart behind this lady in a kinda sneery sort of voice, i have no propane coupons or book coupons for her,then the register starts freeking out on me some more after like 10 coupons, the girl comes over and helps with 5 or so more, the lady is still behind me, my total has gone from 75ish down to 40, and i still had 9 more coupons to use!the manager comes over, and thankfully suspends/transfrers it to finish my transaction(knocking another $15 off my total) that poor lady was gone by the time i was done otherwise i would have shared my goodies with her

I do not bother to offer coupons here anymore. Couponing at this level is almost akin to drug dealing. I've tried to offer coupons to help people (think CVS Engerizer deal last year). The looks and reactions for offering coupons; you'd thought I offered them PCP. Their loss.

[Mothernature]

My story is from after doing my coupon shopping...Long story...but I was in another state taking care of my grandmother after a fall, and I was leaving the Dominick's with my mother as we were pulling out this car went flying through the parking lot and jumped the curb and landed smack dab in the middle of the retention pond. Well, ran over and into the retention pond and found it was an elderly couple and I had my mother call 911, another gentlemen (young kid) joined me in the water and we worked to ensure the couple were safe and medically ok, and the car was stable on not sinking, we called their children and told them what happened and that they were ok, and we waited until the rescue teams got there...as soon as we gave our contact information to the police and our version of the events, I jumped in my car and hightailed it out of there....That evening it was on all the local news stations there was even a helicopter out there, they interviewed the young kid, and I followed the news and heard that both people were ok, and back home...and I was happy for my part in saving them, but remaining a mystery rescuer.

Later that week, I found a scratch off lottery ticket in the parking lot and won $1,000!!:BigHand:

How long ago was this? I think I remember this story!

<---Illinois native.

[emily26505]

I guess my first experience with good coupon karma was just a few months ago during the Walgreens diaper deal. I don't even have any kids, but I left work to go get in on this deal because I thought this would make an excellent donation to a local women's/children's shelter. After getting about 20 packs (and NOT being allowed to "double dip", so I paid a little OOP) I called the local shelter to offer them. The director I spoke with was not a very friendly person, to say the least. In fact, she was quite rude and flat out told me that they didn't want the diapers.

OK..so maybe they didn't need diapers, but I was a little peeved that she had to be rude about it. But I still knew that there are sooo many struggling parents in my area, so I really wanted to give them to someone who would be grateful.

Well, as it happens, the next day I am checking out at CVS and paid about 41 cents for $45 worth of merch. The young girl behind the counter was just totally blown away and started telling me how she needs to learn how to coupon like that because she can barely afford to put diapers on her 2 kids.

Umm..did she just say diapers?? My ears percked up and I told her that I had a whole trunk full of diapers if she would like them. I went out to my car and came back in with bags and bags of diapers for her.

She held up her whole line to come around from the counter and give me a huge hug. She almost cried, she was so happy. It totally made my day and made up for the rude lady from the shelter. And I was happy to actually see the face of the person I was giving to. (And it turns out, most of them were the sizes she needed anyways!).

From then on, I always strive to give to someone that I may know already or happen upon that may need someting or may need good coupon advice instead of relying on campanies, etc to pass along the goods. The last few weeks I have given away over 200 packs of Kool Aid from the Kraft deals to the cashiers at Food Lion who have little kids, lol. They love it when I come in, I'm always sharing my loot haha!

[Abbybob]

I posted this in another thread, but here goes, about 3 weeks ago I did a trip to Vons to use us some q's before the super store sale ended (2 free south beach pizza- OK!!), and I loaded up on some other things that were on sale that I had Q's for. I saved $65.33. HEE HEE!!

As I am checking out- I hand my stack to the cashier and swiped my store card, the lady behind me- a few years younger than me, 2 kids, lots of food in her cart with stuff I had q's for in my stash just marveled.

I asked her if she wanted some q's for stuff she had in her cart, and she hugged me when I handed her what I pulled from my q wallet. Q's for Eggos, Cereal, milk, syrup, frozen veg, oleo, cookie dough, juice, boca stuff, gilette shampoo, shave gel... all stuff I wasn't going to buy b/c it wasn't on sale or we didn't need (or have enough or in my stash!). SHe asked me to wait so I could see how much she saved. Swiped her card, handed the cashier the q's... Her kids (little-ish maybe 3 and 5) asked about my little pizzas, and asked what I did with all the money I save. I told them I used my savings as an allowance and I went to the movies, and out to lunch and to get my toenails painted.

Their mommy saved $60 with the Q's and store card. I gave her the website address to HCW and coupons.com.

I give strangers in line q's all the time, and I leave q's I won't use that are still good on the shelf next to the item. Last month, a lady followed me around the store and took them all. She and I checked out all the time- she saved over $100.

Someone else should benefit from my thriftiness.