One working mom's random musings and opinions on consumerism. It may start out boring, but it will get better I promise. Stay tuned.
The Cool Kid in Town
Posted 05-27-2008 at 07:23:03 AM by ~~Who,Me?~~
All of a sudden, I'm the cool kid in town. I've been couponing since college, the late 80s. I remember one time, being in a pharmacy and matching up clearance items with tearpads they had, right there in the store! I couldn't believe my good fortune. That and a free razor with a peelie deal, and I was hooked for life.
Anyway, my family and friends have tolerated my habit. He doesn't say it often, but I know my husband appreciates the money I am saving us. He may get frustrated when he's eating the same brand of cereal for the 20th day in a row, but he is also quite pleased when he's drinking his 20th free Gatorade in a row.
I clip lots of coupons. I'm not embarrassed to use them, not at all. Any restaurant, any salon, I don't care. To me, it's the same as having cash in my hand. My family and friends have thought it was quirky, but cute.
Now with this crappy economy, talk of a recession, gas prices, mortgage foreclosures......now everyone is interested in what I am doing. I have tried to teach others before. I have told them about the time it takes. How it's not just about saving money, you really have to enjoy it. You have to enjoy the challenge, enjoy the 'high' you get when you get an awesome deal on something. They've never gotten it.
I still don't think they'll ever get it. But they're more interested. They want to know how I get so much for free. How can a box of cereal really only cost 40 cents?
I must admit, it does feel nice, it has a bit of a redeeming quality to it. I'm no longer a weirdo or a cheapskate, now I'm a smarter shopper.
Instead of hearing "I could never do that" I am now hearing "I wish I could do that." You can.
Anyway, my family and friends have tolerated my habit. He doesn't say it often, but I know my husband appreciates the money I am saving us. He may get frustrated when he's eating the same brand of cereal for the 20th day in a row, but he is also quite pleased when he's drinking his 20th free Gatorade in a row.
I clip lots of coupons. I'm not embarrassed to use them, not at all. Any restaurant, any salon, I don't care. To me, it's the same as having cash in my hand. My family and friends have thought it was quirky, but cute.
Now with this crappy economy, talk of a recession, gas prices, mortgage foreclosures......now everyone is interested in what I am doing. I have tried to teach others before. I have told them about the time it takes. How it's not just about saving money, you really have to enjoy it. You have to enjoy the challenge, enjoy the 'high' you get when you get an awesome deal on something. They've never gotten it.
I still don't think they'll ever get it. But they're more interested. They want to know how I get so much for free. How can a box of cereal really only cost 40 cents?
I must admit, it does feel nice, it has a bit of a redeeming quality to it. I'm no longer a weirdo or a cheapskate, now I'm a smarter shopper.
Instead of hearing "I could never do that" I am now hearing "I wish I could do that." You can.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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I am new at the coupon thing...when do newspapers run coupons?Posted 05-27-2008 at 08:32:07 AM by BooBoo
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I'm in the same boat with you, before all my friends were teasing me that I become an old lady that didn't do anything besides clipping coupons, but now they are asking me what coupons do I have that I don't want and they tell me how they wish they have patience like me to do it. Kudos to you!Posted 05-27-2008 at 09:53:43 AM by GourmetMelts -
Boo Boo newspapers run coupon inserts in the Sunday newspaper. There are usually coupons every Sunday except for holiday weekends (like this past Sunday, due to the Memorial Day holiday)Posted 05-27-2008 at 02:26:35 PM by queenofthehivemomof5 - Funny, I just started couponing last summer. Family would chuckle at how I was so "into it". Now they want to learn how to save w/coupons.
I have a friend who tried to learn how to use coupons from me; all her husband would do is scoff at how saving a "few dollars" was a waste of time so she stopped. Yesterday she informed me that now he's commending me for getting free things...wants her to start up again!Posted 05-28-2008 at 07:59:06 AM by mom2fiveaz
